BoSox Beat Berken, Blank Birds

The O's have yet to beat the Boston Red Sox this season, and fell 4-0 on Monday night at Camden Yards.

It was a rough start for rookie Jason Berken (1-5), who allowed all four of Boston's runs. Berken lasted just five innings and allowed eight hits while walking two and striking out three. Brian Bass and Chris Ray combined for the final four innings of shutout relief, but the O's bats were unable to produce...

The Birds have never beaten Boston's starter Jon Lester, and were unable to get anything going offensively against him...Lester (7-6) allowed just five hits (all singles) in seven innings while walking none and striking out eight.

The O's are now 0-5 against the first-place Red Sox and have dropped two straight games...the two teams go at it again Tuesday night at Camden Yards...Rich Hill (3-2) takes on John Smoltz (0-1)...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• He may have let a triple go over his head in the first inning, but the defensive play of the game goes to Adam Jones, who robbed Kevin Youkilis of a home run with a leaping catch at the wall in center field to end the fourth inning
• Cesar Izturis is recovering slowly but won't be able to play for three weeks...so much for my poll! (by the way, only 13 votes, but so far it's pretty tight: 7 votes for Andino, 6 for Izzy)
• The O's are 10-17 against the A.L. East so far this season

O's Can't Complete the Sweep

The Birds fell to the Washington Nationals 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards.

I guess all streaks have to end...the Birds 2-game winning streak ended, and my fiance and I, both 4-0 at the Yard this season, left the park as losers, as well...

The O's made plenty of mistakes in the game ( Luke Scott got caught straying from third in the first, Matt Wieters couldn't hold onto a ball on a play at the plate and overthrew third on a steal attempt, Aubrey Huff got thrown out at second trying to stretch a single into a double with the tying run coming to the plate in the bottom of the eighth...) but still took two of three from the Nationals. What's that? Too many mistakes? Yes, the Birds beat themselves again...

David Hernandez (1-2) wasn't perfect but looked decent in his outing, allowing three runs off eight hits in 5 2/3 innings while walking three and fanning three. Relievers Chris Ray and Mark Hendrickson each allowed a run to score late....Danys Baez pitched a scoreless ninth.

The last-place Birds take on the first-place Red Sox later today...Jason Berken takes the mound...go O's!

O' Yeah...

• Interleague Play is over...the O's tied a franchise best record with an 11-7 mark this season

O's Use Long Ball to Sink Nats

The Birds smacked three home runs in a 6-3 victory over the Washington Nationals Saturday night at Camden Yards.

Gregg Zaun put the O's on the board with a solo shot in the second, Nolan Reimold gave the Birds the lead with a 3-run blast in the fifth and Aubrey Huff padded the lead with a solo homer in the seventh inning.

O's starter Jeremy Guthrie (6-7) looked horrible right from the start...he allowed two singles and three walks in the first inning, walking in two runs. Guthrie settled down after that and eventually got the win; he lasted five innings and allowed three runs on five hits and three walks.

After the Birds took a 4-3 lead in the fifth, reliever Brian Bass was called in to start the sixth...a walk, a double and another walk later, and the bases were jammed with none out. Skipper Dave Trembley went to relief pitcher Matt Albers, and Albers got the O's out of the jam with a ground ball force-out and a double play.

Jim Johnson went two scoreless innings and George Sherrill worked the ninth for his 16th save.

The Birds look for the sweep on Sunday afternoon; David Hernandez will make the start (replacing Koji Uehara, who will be placed on the DL). I'll be at the game...Go O's!!!

Bats Come to Life as O's Thrash Nats

The Orioles put on an offensive show at Camden Yards on Friday night, spanking the Washington Nationals 11-1.

Starter Brad Bergesen (5-2) continued his dominance in June, going six strong innings and allowing just one run on four hits while walking two and striking out five.

Bergesen left the game with the O's leading 3-1. The Birds then erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning (tying a season high).

Melvin Mora, moved to the seventh spot in the lineup, had three RBIs in the inning and four on the day...coming into the game, Mora had just three RBIs during the entire month of June...thank-you, Dave Trembley, for making a long-overdue move. Nolan Reimold took Mora's place and batted fifth; Reimold went 3-for-4 with a walk...

Overall, the Bird's bats combined for sixteen hits (tying another season high) and 11 runs in the first game of the "Battle of the Beltway."

O's ace Jeremy Guthrie looks to continue the winning ways on Saturday night...go O's!!

O' Yeah...

• The Birds (33-40) would have to win their next eight straight games to be over .500 at the halfway point of the season (41-40 after 81 games)
• Koji Uehara will miss his scheduled start on Sunday...the O's will call up David Hernandez from Triple-A to fill his spot

O's swept out of Florida in a Blowout

The Birds lost to the Florida Marlins 11-3 on Thursday night...

Again, I just can't write about the game just yet...no one is paying me to do so, and it's late...all I can say is the O's looked absolutely pathetic in this series...it took nearly 20 innings for the team to score an earned run, and the pitching was terrible. O' Yeah...the defense stunk too.

Consistent. It's a word. The O's should look it up. After tying a season high five straight wins how can you get swept? After sweeping the reigning World Champs!!! I'll never know...

The O's were down 11-0 in the ninth before they finally got on the board...Nick Markakis went 4-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in the loss.

Anyway, the Washington Nationals come to town this weekend, and the Birds should be thinking sweep. The Boston Red Sox come to visit after the Nats, and the O's will need some winning momentum going for them...

Brad Bergesen starts for the Birds Friday night...go O's!

O's Drop Second Straight to Marlins

The O's beat themselves in a 5-2 loss to the Florida Marlins on Wednesday night.

The Birds looked good right off the bat, with two singles to start the game...Felix Pie hesitated on a double-steal attempt and was tagged-out at second, and Brian Roberts was stranded at third.

The Marlins took advantage of a throwing error by Melvin Mora in the bottom of the inning, and were up 2-0 after one. They ended up with a 3-0 lead before the O's took advantage of a fielding miscue and scored two runs in the sixth. The two unearned runs were all the offense the Birds could produce in the loss.

Two of the Marlins five runs were also unearned, and a throwing error from catcher Matt Wieters and a "mental mistake" from Pie cost the O's a run in the seventh inning... Wieters threw wildly to second base on a steal attempt, and the ball sailed into center field...Pie held the ball, and the runner advanced all the way home...pitiful.

O's starter Jason Berken (1-4) took the loss...he allowed three runs (two earned) in five innings, and gave up four hits, walked two and struck out three.

The Birds look to avoid the sweep Thursday night...Rich Hill takes the mound...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• It looks like Koji Uehara may not be able to make his next start...PLEASE send him to the 'pen

Birds Battle Back, but Fall to Fish in Extras

The O's scored three times in the ninth to tie up the ballgame, but eventually lost to the Florida Marlins 7-6 on Tuesday night.

Brian Roberts slapped a lead-off double to start the game, and scored on a sac fly to give the O's an early 1-0 lead in the first inning...the Birds didn't get another hit until the eighth...

Meanwhile, O's starter Koji Uehara cruised until the fifth, when he allowed a solo shot that tied the game at one. Uehara ended up going six innings, allowing just the one run on seven hits while walking none and striking out two. Uehara definitely is living up to his billing as an "extreme strike thrower," as 59 of his 76 pitches were in the zone...still, it looks as if he can go five, maybe six innings tops, and would more than likely be better used as a long reliever in the bullpen.

Things unraveled for the Birds in the seventh inning...Danys Baez had his second straight bad outing, allowing five runs to cross the plate...Baez gave up four hits, one a grand slam, in just 1/3 of an inning...

On the plus-side, Chris Ray returned to the team from Norfolk and looked great, allowing just one hit in 1 2/3 innings, while walking none and recording a strikeout.

Down 6-1 in the eighth, Matt Wieters went deep for the second time this season, and the Birds pushed one more across the plate to make it a 6-3 ballgame. With two outs in the ninth inning, the O's struck for five straight singles, tying the game at six. It was truly unbelievable...

Jim Johnson and Brian Bass pitched the final frames, but the O's were unable to score again (due in part to a base-running blunder from Ty Wigginton, who tried to stretch a single into a double and was called out at second for the second out of the 11th inning...Gregg Zaun was stranded at third base after a fly ball from pinch-hitter Rich Hill, but may have been able to tag-up and give the Birds the lead, and the win).

Bass (4-2) walked the first batter he faced in the 12th, and the runner advanced on a wild pitch...an intentional walk and a single later, and the Marlins walked-off with a 7-6 victory.

The O's still showed a lot of heart in the game...down by three with one out left and tying the game...I really thought they had this one and would have won a season-high six straight. The Birds and Marlins go at it again Wednesday night...Jason Berken (1-3) takes the mound...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• The O's #1-5 hitters (Roberts, Markakis, Jones, Huff and Mora) went a combined 3-for 24, with four walks and three strikeouts, and left eight men on base...what has happened to the top of the lineup???

Guthrie, O's Complete First Road Sweep of the Season

The Birds won their fifth straight game Sunday afternoon, 2-1, sweeping the World Champion Phillies in Philadelphia.

In a battle of the aces, O's starter Jeremy Guthrie (5-7) wound up on top, as the O's handed Cole Hamels (4-3) the loss. Guthrie went seven strong innings and allowed just one run, a solo homer in the second inning. Guthrie allowed just three hits while walking two and fanning four in the victory...Hamels lasted eight innings and struck out 10, but took the loss...

For the second straight game, Brian Roberts came through with the winning hit...his RBI single in the eighth inning gave the O's a 2-1 lead, and the bullpen held on to give the Birds their first three-game road sweep in nearly two years.

It's amazing to see what this team is really capable of; it seems like they are finally reaching their true potential. The veterans are really stepping up their game...last week Aubrey Huff comes through twice late in the game to give the Birds the win(s), Roberts has been on fire in this series and Guthrie gave the O's just what they needed this afternoon. Jim Johnson has been lights-out, and George Sherrill just picked up his 15th save of the season. And the young players, the future of the O's organization, have really been impressive...

The O's have been streaky this season, but I'm hoping this winning streak is a sign of things to come. The Birds rest on Monday before taking on the Florida Marlins for a 3-game set beginning Tuesday night...Koji Uehara (2-4) is scheduled to take the mound...Go O's!!!!!!

O' Yeah...

• The O's announced that reliever Alberto Castillo will be sent back down to Triple-A...looks like Chris Ray will be rejoining the team!
• The O's and LA Dodgers are tied with the best Interleague records so far this season (9-3)...the Birds are now 9-7 in 1-run games
• New poll up...please vote...I'd love to know what you all think!!!

O's Magic Continues in Philly

The Orioles scored three runs in the ninth inning to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 on Saturday night.

The O's teed-off on Philly pitching early, collecting 13 hits through the first seven innings...unfortunately, they managed just three runs but took a 3-0 lead into the seventh.

Starter Brad Bergesen had been masterful through the first six innings, allowing just two hits and striking out two...things unraveled in the seventh, when the Phillies knocked Bergesen out of the game...by the time the inning was over, the Birds were trailing 5-3.

Reliever Danys Baez was summoned to face Ryan Howard with runners on the corners, and served up a 3-run jack...it was Baez's first blown save of the season...

But these new "never say die" O's came back yet again in the ninth inning (marking the second time this season, and second time in the last three games!)...Gregg Zaun smashed a one-out solo shot to put the Birds within a run...then, with two down, Oscar Salazar slapped a pinch-hit single for Mark Hendrickson (who was credited with the win), bringing Brian Roberts to the plate...with two strikes and the crowd on their feet, Roberts ripped a 2-run bomb to center field, giving the Birds a 6-5 lead.

George Sherrill pitched a scoreless ninth and picked up his 14th save of the season...the O's have now won four straight and go for their first road sweep of the season on Sunday afternoon. It won't be easy, though, Jeremy Guthrie (4-7) is up against Phillies' ace Cole Hamels (4-2)...Go O's!!!!!

O's Take Out World Series Champs

The Birds took down the defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies Friday night, beating them 7-2 at Citizens Bank Park.

O's starter Rich Hill (3-1) looked sharp on the mound, and even knocked in the go-ahead run in the second inning. Hill lasted 6 2/3 innings, and was charged with two runs on five hits while walking four and striking out five. Jim Johnson and George Sherrill combined to shut down the Phillies for the final frames.

The Birds got on the board early...Matt Wieters slapped a 2-run double in the second inning and came around to score on Hill's RBI single. The Birds added a run in the sixth and then sealed the deal in the ninth, scoring three times. Nolan Reimold hit his eighth homer of the season.

The Birds play two more against the Phillies before heading to Florida to take on the Marlins. Brad Bergesen (4-2) takes the mound for the Orioles Saturday night...Go O's!!!!

O' Yeah...

• I guess it's time for a new poll...I was wrong (Wieters didn't go deep that night), but the majority of us were right...it didn't take too long for Wieters to go Yard!

Huff's Heroics Lift O's in Ninth

The O's pulled out a huge win against the visiting Mets Thursday night as they defeated New York 5-4 in a walk-off victory.

This marked the first time all year that the O's won a game after trailing after the eighth inning...

O's starter Jason Berken was masterful through five innings before he ran into trouble...though he took a no decision, Berken kept the O's in the game and helped the team eventually pull out the win. Berken lasted 6 2/3, allowing four runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out eight.

Robert Andino put the Birds on the board with his first homer of the season in the third inning...it looked as if the O's would cruise after Berken's dominant performance, but it took an improbable ninth-inning rally for the O's to win the series and depart Baltimore with a 5-4 record on the homestand. Next up: the defending World Series Champs, the Philadelphia Phillies...Go O's!!!

Wieters Goes Deep as O's Beat Mets

The O's beat the Mets 6-4 0n Wednesday night (otherwise known as Adam Jones Bobblehead Night) at Camden Yards.

I was at the game, got my bobblehead and watched the Birds even the series...I'll be back later tonight with a full post from Wednesday's game and a new post from the rubber-match tonight...Go O's!!

First off, the Birds were looking good early...Koji Uehara went five innings, allowing just two runs off seven hits while walking none and striking out five. The 'pen wasn't as impressive as usual ( Mark Hendrickson walked in a run), but Jim Johnson earned the win and George Sherrill pitched a scoreless ninth for his 13th save in 15 tries.

The highlight of the game was Matt Wieters' first MLB homer this season...a 2-run shot in the second inning...my fiance called it, and I promised she'd get a full paragraph if she was right...first-pitch swinging and Wieters finally got the monkey off his back! Shaving cream pie and all...welcome to the 'Bigs' Matt...hope to see more from you soon! And to Nicole, my lovely fiance...Good Call!!!

The game wasn't over yet, though, it took another 2-run bomb from Aubrey Huff in the seventh to give the Birds the eventual win...

So far this season, this has been the best game to attend yet...An Adam Jones Bobblehead and the opportunity to witness first-hand Matt Wieter's first bomb...Go O's!

Ninth Inning Rally Falls Just Short for O's

The Birds dropped game one to the visiting Mets on Tuesday, 6-4, but they didn't go down without a fight.

Jeremy Guthrie took the loss, but a trio of errors didn't help his cause. Guthrie went 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) while walking two and striking out four...the best news...he didn't allow a single home run.

After a four-run fourth, Guth settled down and allowed the Birds to get back into the game...the Bird tacked on two runs in the sixth (Nick Markakis finally went deep), and the O's had the winning run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth...with runners at second and third and two outs, phenom Adam Jones had a chance to at least tie the game with a single or give the Birds a walk-off victory...he struck out to end the game.

I'm still proud of the effort the O's put forth...tomorrow is another day...Koji Uehara takes the mound, and I'll be there to support our O's! PLUS...ADAM JONES BOBBLEHEAD night! Can't wait! See you at the Yard! Go O's!

Birds Thrash Braves in Finale

Man...I wish I could have seen it...the O's beat Atlanta 11-2 on Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards.

I was throwing my very first house-warming party (about 20 guests), and beside seeing a few plays, missed the most exciting game in weeks! Brad Bergesen even pitched a complete game! The Birds are off today, so I'll return after work to post the full blog...maybe MASN will replay the game (PLEASE???)

No such luck...so here's what I know...the Birds bats broke-out (on a Sunday!) and the O's were cruising to the tune of an 11-0 lead after five innings...the Birds bashed 15 hits in the game...

Brad Bergesen (4-2), the new O's "ace" in my opinion, pitched a complete game, and allowed just two runs off five hits (two of those hits were solo homers; otherwise, Bergesen was in complete control). He walked two and struck out three in a 112-pitch performance...and even struck out the final two batters of the game.

Meanwhile, the bats were HOT. Every O's starter had at least one hit, including Oscar Salazar, who came in to pinch-hit for Brian Roberts in the sixth. Ty Wigginton mashed two home runs, and Robert Andino went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and was credited with stealing home plate...

The Birds still left 12 on base, but who can complain with an outcome like this? Not me...

Beginning with Saturday's late explosion, the Birds have now scored 19 runs in their past two games...they had scored a total of 19 runs in their last 11 games beginning May 31st before the bats came to life...this is the offense that I think the players, coaches and fans expect...

Again, the team was off today before beginning a 3-game series against the New York Mets on Tuesday night...Jeremy Guthrie (4-6) takes the mound for the Birds...Go O's!!!

Big Bats Lift O's Over Braves

The Birds prevailed over the Braves, 8-4, on Saturday night at Camden Yards.

You knew something was special in the first inning, when after Brian Roberts singled to lead-off, Adam Jones followed with a 2-run blast to center field. It was the first time in over two weeks that someone other than Luke Scott or Nolan Reimold had homered for the Birds, and it was a positive sign of things to come...the Birds actually loaded the bases in the first inning before Matt Wieters struck out swinging...

Starter Rich Hill looked sharp until the fourth inning, when he allowed four runs to cross the plate...Hill was charged with four runs off five hits and three walks while striking out one.

Relief pitcher Brian Bass (4-1) continued to impress, and pitched a scoreless three innings before giving way to Danys Baez. George Sherrill completed the relief shutout with a scoreless ninth inning.

Of course, the pitching has been solid as of late...on Saturday night, the Birds' bats finally broke out...The O's batted around in the seventh inning, scoring six times to take an 8-4 lead that thankfully held up.

Some highlights...Brian Roberts went 4-for-5 with a run scored and a 2-run double, Melvin Mora went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Adam Jones finished the game with a homer and 3 RBIs.

We all knew that the offense was capable of piling on the runs...hopefully this was the breakout game that the O's needed to get back on track...

Brad Bergesen (3-2) takes the mound for the Birds Sunday afternoon in the rubber-match...let's keep the streak alive and win a series...Go O's!!

Braves Bash Berken, Birds

The Birds dropped their third straight game, falling to the Atlanta Braves 7-2 on Friday night at Camden yards.

What has happened to this team? They can't score a run to save their life...it's been over two weeks since a player other than Luke Scott or Nolan Reimold has gone deep...the team-wide offensive slump is getting old and frustrating.

Who's to blame? We're only in the first half of June and O's fans are already calling for manager Dave Trembley's head...and why not? Apparently the skipper called a meeting before the game...yet the end result was the same...another loss.

Both the Braves (30-30) and the O's (25-36) knocked out 12 hits on Friday night...but the Birds managed just two runs...the team left the bases loaded THREE times...simply inexcusable. Overall, the O's left 13 men on base, and went just 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

It's hard to believe that two weeks ago I stated what an exciting time it was to be an O's fan...just three games under .500...now the team is the laughing-stock of the league.

The O's are a better team than this...something has to be done to shake things up...

Rich Hill takes the mound for the Birds Saturday night...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• One piece of good news...every O's starter had at least one hit in the game...they just couldn't get the big hit when it mattered
• More bad news...it's been two weeks (Friday, May 29) since the O's have scored more than four runs in a game

Rain Cools Off O's Bats in Loss

Hey! The O's didn't show up tonight...why should I? Seriously though, the Birds lost 6-3 to the Seattle Mariners Thursday night.

The O's second straight loss put them 10 games under .500 for the first time this season...and 11 games out of first...

I'll be back Friday evening to finish this post...I don't want to be unprofessional, but you can't take words back after you say them...let's just say that I'm extremely upset with the Orioles and their management...

Comments?

O.K. I'm back...just what happened out there on Thursday? The O's gave Garrett Olson his first win as a Mariner...what an embarrassment. If Koji Uehara was on a strict pitch count (70-80 pitches), why even bring him back in after a rain delay that lasted nearly a half an hour, in his first start since coming back from the DL? So many questions...

And again, where was the offense? It looked like the Birds were going to knock Olson out of the game in the first inning, yet they managed just two runs and were completely lifeless after the delay...and it seems like the O's just conceded to defeat in the later innings...why is Gregg Zaun leading-off in the ninth, followed by Robert Andino (they both struck out) when Aubrey Huff, Matt Wieters and Oscar Salazar are sitting on the bench???

The O's begin Interleague Play on Friday night...they face the Atlanta Braves for a 3-game set before the New York Mets come to town...Jason Berken gets it started for the Birds...Go O's!

Guthrie, O's Fall to Seattle

The Orioles lost to the Mariners 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Typical series thus far...the "win one, lose one" mantra that we've seen all season...it's still better than losing two.

O's "ace" Jeremy Guthrie (4-6) looked much better this time out but the long ball hurt him again...Guthrie allowed a solo shot in the second inning and then a 2-run bomb in the sixth. Guthrie allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits through six innings, while walking none and striking out two...his 16 homers allowed this season are the most allowed by a starter in the American League.

The O's offense continued to struggle...one run off seven hits...Wieters went 2-for-4 with a single, double and two strikeouts, and scored the lone run for the Birds in the fifth inning...

As usual, the 'pen was solid...Danys Baez and Matt Albers held Seattle scoreless through the final three frames, but the O's bats couldn't back them up...

The Birds could still win the series Thursday night...Koji Uehara returns from the DL and will make the start...he'll face former Oriole Garrett Olson...Go O's!

Welcome Home, O's

The O's snapped a five-game losing streak on Tuesday night, beating the Seattle Mariners 3-1 at Camden Yards.

I had front-row seats for the game, and it was great to see the Birds win a game! O's starter Brad Bergesen pitched a gem, allowing just five hits over eight innings while walking none and fanning six.

On Melvin Mora T-shirt night, I predicted he would go deep...it looked like I called it in the first inning, when Mora launched a 2-run shot to left field. The umps reviewed the call, though, (first time in Camden Yards' history) and ruled that Mora was out due to fan interference.

Still, the Birds managed a run in the first and Nolan Reimold padded the lead with a solo home run in the fifth and an RBI single in the sixth...George Sherrill allowed a run in the ninth but managed to pick up his 12th save.

Jeremy Guthrie looks to keep the momentum going later tonight...Go O's!!

ORIOLES: (oor-e-yuls)...the "O" is silent

Wow...probably one of the best titles I've come up with...unfortunately, I've been up for 23 hours and really can't risk posting about this game...Birds lost 3-0 and were swept by OAKLAND! After Rich Hill allowed three runs in just 2/3 of an inning (sound familiar?), the bullpen was spectacular (one hit, no runs, no walks and two strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings) yet the O's bats were shut down yet again! Sickening...I'll be back in a bit with the full post...maybe tonight? If not, the O's are off Monday...and I'll have had time to settle down and post a traditional blog...please, O's fans, PRAY that the bats come to life for the next homestand!!! I'll be there Tuesday night....see you soon...

You know what? On second thought, I like this post...I'll pop in a few links but other than that, I'll be back Tuesday night after the game! Brad Bergesen takes the mound for the O's in game one of a nine game homestand that starts off against the Seattle Mariners...luckily, we won't be seeing Bedard this time around...Go O's!

O's Drop Fourth Straight

The Orioles lost again to the Oakland A's on Saturday night, falling 9-4.

O's starter Jason Berken (1-2) was charged with all nine runs and lasted just 3 1/3 innings. He gave up seven hits...every hit was a double (that was extremely weird...I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that before)...Berken also walked three batters.

Skipper Dave Trembley finally shuffled the lineup in an attempt to get the O's bats going...it worked (sort of)...The Birds had a 4-run seventh inning, highlighted by Nolan Reimold's 3-run blast, but were shut down the rest of the game. They did have ten hits, though, and Nick Markakis, batting second, went 2-for-5 to break out of his slump...

The O's will try to salvage the series with a win Sunday afternoon...after starting the road trip with a 1-0 win, the Birds have dropped four straight...Rich Hill (2-0) takes the mound...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• Cesar Izturis' surgery was a success...he'll be out for a few weeks...Oscar Salazar will be called-up from Triple A to fill his position
• Felix Pie left the game after a foul ball hit him in the throat...Reimold came in to replace him
• The Birds have been outscored 29-10 so far on this road trip...

O's Embarrassed in Oakland

The Birds dropped their third straight game on Friday night, falling to the Oakland A's 9-1.

O's starter Jeremy Guthrie (4-5) got hit hard early...he lasted just 2/3 of an inning (the shortest outing of his career) and was charged with six runs off seven hits. The short start certainly didn't help the bullpen, as four relievers were used to finish a game that was basically over as soon as it started...the O's have scored just six runs in the past five games, so being down 6-0 in the first inning seemed pretty hopeless...

The O's offense has been in a real funk as of late...Luke Scott is basically a one-man show right now. After knocking in both runs in Wednesday's loss, Scott produced the only run of the game again on Friday, a seventh inning solo shot...Scott now has eight homers in the nine games he's played in since returning from the DL, and his 13 dingers leads the team.

Jason Berken takes the mound for the Birds Saturday night....it's time to start a winning streak...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• The Birds released Jamie Walker on Friday...the "left-handed specialist" just couldn't get it done this season...it was fun while it lasted Jamie...good luck with you're future career!
• O's shortstop Cesar Izturis was rushed to the hospital on Friday with a case of appendicitis...he'll be out for a minimum of 10 days...Robert Andino filled-in nicely for him Friday night, though he did commit an error
• In his first week as an Oriole, Matt Wieters is batting just .167

Ninth Inning Rally Sinks O's

The Birds dropped a close game in Seattle Wednesday night, losing 3-2 to the Mariners.

The O's took an early 2-o lead in the first inning on an Aubrey Huff bomb, but the call was reversed after replays showed the ball was foul. After that it was all up to Luke Scott, who drove in both runs for the Birds. Scott hit a solo homer in the second inning and had an RBI double in the sixth, but that was all the O's could muster.

Starter Brad Bergesen was magnificent, going seven strong innings and allowing just two runs on five hits. Relief pitcher Jim Johnson (2-3) was charged with the loss after allowing the game-winning single in the ninth inning.

The Birds (24-30) are off Thursday before beginning a 3-game set against Oakland (21-30) Friday night...Oakland hasn't been playing great baseball as of late, so hopefully the Birds can win the series before heading back home...Go O's!

Bedard Baffles Birds in Blowout

Former Oriole Eric Bedard held the Birds' bats in check, and the O's fell to Seattle 8-2 on Tuesday night.

So....I WAS excited to see Bedard again, but only if we were able to knock him around and force his early departure (take Mike Mussina last season). Unfortunately for the Birds, Bedard dominated his former team and even smirked when he handed the ball over in the seventh...

The smirk came with good reason...Bedard (4-2) went 6 1/3 innings and allowed just one run off four hits. He walked three and struck out seven...looked just like the old Bedard we knew and loved.

O's starter David Hernandez didn't even compare in his second start in the Majors...Hernandez (1-1) allowed five runs on 10 hits in just 5 1/3 innings. The relief pitching didn't help...Jamie Walker allowed two homers in the eighth, which basically sealed the win for Seattle.

This is why I love baseball...the two teams go at it again Wednesday night in the rubber-match...Brad Bergesen takes the mound for the Birds...Go O's!

O' Yeah...

• The Birds managed just six hits in the game, two coming off the bat of Adam Jones
• Matt Wieters hit his first single of the season, and went 1-for-3 with a walk
• As if we needed any more conformation, the O's play in the toughest division in all of baseball

Birds Blank Mariners in Seattle

The O's held on to win the first game of their road trip, beating the Mariners 1-0 Monday night at Safeco Field.

As I expected, key players in the Eric Bedard trade came through big in the win...Adam Jones scored the only run of the game and George Sherrill picked up the save in the bottom of the ninth.

The big story was the dominant performance of O's starter Rich Hill. Hill went seven shutout innings and allowed just two hits while walking three and striking out seven. Jim Johnson and Sherrill combined for the final two frames, and the three pitchers retired the last 20 Seattle batters after Hill allowed a single in the third inning...it was a completely dominant performance by the Orioles pitchers...a combined 2-hitter.

The O's offense managed just six hits, and it took a sacrifice fly from Aubrey Huff in the sixth inning to score Jones...which turned out to be the game's only run.

I think it's easy to see that this is a completely different team lately...the Birds are playing well and having fun on the field...again, this is an incredible time to be an O's fan!

David Hernandez is scheduled to make his second Major League start Tuesday night...he'll face former O's ace Eric Bedard...Go O's!!

O' Yeah...

• Koji a reliever? A six-man rotation? We'll see...
• Luuuuke Scott= AL Player of the week