I couldn't help but notice that Luke Scott didn't pinch-hit in the ninth inning against right-hander Jon Rauch. Felix Pie and Matt Wieters came off the bench, but Robert Andino was allowed to face Rauch with two outs and Wieters on second.
Andino struck out looking to end the game on a pitch that missed the strike zone, and he screamed at plate Kerwin Danley on his way back to the dugout, stopping three times to vent.
Turns out, Scott wasn't available today after receiving a cortisone injection in his ailing shoulder. Scott told manager Buck Showalter that he could pinch-hit, but that would have been ambitious. And not very smart that soon after a shot.
Scott could be available tomorrow night. He's batting .151 in his last 17 games, and we're reaching a point where the Orioles will have to consider shutting him down. Derrek Lee will get the starts at first base, Vladimir Guerrero is the primary designated hitter and Scott's shoulder won't allow him to play left field.
Showalter said he'll wait until tomorrow to announce Tuesday's starter. Simon will be available to pitch in relief Tuesday, but Chris Jakubauskas is expected to start.
Since I pointed out how Jose Bautista took an extra base on Nolan Reimold in the first inning, I should mention that Adam Jones didn't run hard out of the box on a line drive to Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar, who dropped the ball but had plenty of time to record the out. I doubt that Jones would have beat the throw anyway, but it looked bad and some fans let him know it.
Jones was fully aware of his mistake. You could tell by the look on his face after he turned toward the dugout.
Guerrero is batting .323 in his last 23 games.
Lee's seven-game hitting streak came to an end.
Michael Gonzalez retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning, getting two ground balls and a strikeout. He hadn't pitched since May 27 at Oakland, when he allowed one run and two hits, and walked two batters, in 1 2/3 innings.
Today's attendance: 25,431
Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado, playing in his first game since May 5, is 1-for-2 with a run scored today after two at-bats.
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