masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgPORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Going into today’s game against the Rays, Brad Bergesen had allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 16 hits, with five walks, in his last three starts covering 9 2/3 innings. He isn’t assured of a spot in the rotation, so this outing is important.

Evan Longoria singled with two outs in the first inning, but Adam Jones cut him down at second base. Bergesen threw eight pitches, five for strikes.

Bergesen ran the count full to Manny Ramirez leading off the second before…PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Going into today’s game against the Rays, Brad Bergesen had allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 16 hits, with five walks, in his last three starts covering 9 2/3 innings. He isn’t assured of a spot in the rotation, so this outing is important.

Evan Longoria singled with two outs in the first inning, but Adam Jones cut him down at second base. Bergesen threw eight pitches, five for strikes.

Bergesen ran the count full to Manny Ramirez leading off the second before inducing a bouncer to second base. Matt Joyce flied to right and B.J. Upton sent a slow roller up the first base line, with catcher Craig Tatum fielding the ball and making the throw.

Bergesen threw 14 pitches, 10 for strikes. Eight of his last nine pitches were strikes.

The Orioles gave Bergesen a 1-0 lead in the second on a two-out infield hit by J.J. Hardy.

Luke Scott and Mark Reynolds singled to begin the inning. Felix Pie flied to deep center, with Scott taking third, and Jake Fox swung at the next pitch and flied to shallow right. Hardy stepped to the plate and delivered his fifth RBI.

Hardy began the day batting .306.

Scott was 3-for-33 before today. Reynolds was 8-for-41.

Brian Roberts, playing for the first time since March 7, took three consecutive strikes from Jeff Niemann and returned to the dugout in the first inning. He ran the count to 3-1 in the third and walked. He still hasn’t swung the bat.

Update: Bergesen has allowed two runs and six hits through four innings. He’s thrown 54 pitches, 36 for strikes.

Ben Zobrist had an RBI triple in the third inning, and Upton collected the Rays’ third single of the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie.

Nick Markakis made an outstanding catch in right field in the third inning to rob Kelly Shoppach of an extra-base hit. Markakis raced to the warning track, reached over his head and snared the ball.

Jake Fox doubled to lead off the fifth. Manny Ramirez took his time getting to the ball in the left field corner.