Texas two-step

I woke up during the night to an e-mail from the Orioles announcing that left-hander Alberto Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after a 13-7 loss to Texas that completed the Rangers' two-game sweep. No surprise there. If you had him on your fantasy team, I'm assuming that you dropped him a while ago. Castillo has allowed nine earned runs in 6 1/3 innings over nine appearances with the Orioles. And I'm pretty sure that's nine separate call-ups. I hope he's on some sort of points plan. Can you get frequent call-up miles? I'm surprised the Rangers didn't send down the guy who missed the extra point. The Orioles are 16 games below .500 for the first time this season. They've lost five of their last six. They're preparing for a three-game series against the Nationals, followed by an off-day on Monday. The tension builds. The Orioles need a stopper tonight. Instead, they get David Hernandez, who missed his last start because of a sore shoulder and is staring at 11 consecutive defeats. This is a big outing for Hernandez, with Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta mowing down hitters at Norfolk. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail watched their most recent starts in person. You could be doing the same at Camden Yards. Just give it time. I'm flying back to Baltimore this afternoon. I can only take so many 90-degree days. I missed roaming the back fields at Ed Smith Stadium, so we bonded one last time. Such sweet memories from spring training. Too bad the media trailer's gone. I don't have a connection on my return flight, so that reduces the chances that I'll be stranded like an Oriole in scoring position. However, if someone makes me an offer of any sort, I'm jumping on the first pitch. I'm eating a light breakfast, so at least I'll show some plate discipline.