masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgTonight’s attendance: 28,340

Alfredo Simon had retired eight of nine batters before Lance Berkman led off the top of the seventh inning with his second home run of the night and his 20th this season. David Freese followed with a double, and Simon was out of the game.

Michael Gonzalez walked Colby Rasmus to put runners on first and second with no outs, but he escaped the jam without another run scoring.

Berkman is the first Cardinals player to homer from both sides of the plate since…Tonight’s attendance: 28,340

Alfredo Simon had retired eight of nine batters before Lance Berkman led off the top of the seventh inning with his second home run of the night and his 20th this season. David Freese followed with a double, and Simon was out of the game.

Michael Gonzalez walked Colby Rasmus to put runners on first and second with no outs, but he escaped the jam without another run scoring.

Berkman is the first Cardinals player to homer from both sides of the plate since Geronimo Pena on April 17, 1994 against San Diego. He also became the 55th player to put a ball on Eutaw St. (he’s done it twice), and the 31st opponent.

Berkman’s ball traveled an estimated 444 feet.

Down on the farm, Double-A Bowie first baseman Joe Mahoney hit his third home run tonight. Catcher Steve Lerud is a homer short of the cycle.

Pasadena native Chorye Spoone held Binghamton to one run in five innings, but he allowed five hits and walked five.

Single-A Frederick shortstop Manny Machado is 0-for-4, lowering his average to .148.

Single-A Delmarva’s Luis Noel held Greensboro to two runs in six innings. He allowed six hits, walked two and struck out four.

Catcher Michael Ohlman is 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs.

Update: The Orioles scored once in the bottom of the eighth on Nolan Reimold’s infield hit after singles by Derrek Lee and Matt Wieters, and Mark Reynolds’ fly ball to center field. Reimold tore up the line, reminding us how much that Achilles surgery slowed him last year. The guy can run.

Luke Scott was on deck to bat for Reimold, but manager Buck Showalter sent him back to the bench. Robert Andino, who was 3-for-3, grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Gonzalez gave the Orioles two scoreless innings tonight.