The heat was on

Orioles manager Dave Trembley explained after last night's game that starter Jeremy Guthrie began tiring in the fifth inning. Guthrie's legs were going on him. He was running out of gas. Choose your favorite expression. The right-hander was fading fast. That explains why he left the game after 90 pitches. The Texas heat must have gotten to him. What's gotten into Guthrie? His ERA's down to 3.86 and he's turned in seven quality starts this season, including last night, when he held the Rangers to one run and didn't walk a batter over six innings. If Guthrie could only make it through six innings, no wonder Koji Uehara was toast after two-thirds. Remember when the Orioles couldn't seem to find a starter to get them past the middle innings, or even that far? Now they need the bullpen to tighten up and the offense to wake up. Time to bat Cesar Izturis cleanup. I'm pretty sure Will Ohman can get righties out, too, and he probably has enough stamina to work more than one hitter. He needs to stay in the game. Enough of the situational stuff. I'm getting ready to jump in the shower and head over to Ed Smith Stadium. I'll report back later. Hope the morning's been kind to all of you. Stay out of the heat, and be sure to hydrate.