masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgTonight’s attendance: 24,835

Alfredo Simon became the second Orioles pitcher to complete seven innings in the last 29 games dating back to June 12. And he’s in line for the win.

It all starts with starting pitching.

Simon allowed two runs and three hits, walked one and struck out five. He threw 79 pitches, 56 for strikes, before Koji Uehara replaced him to begin the eighth.

This is Simon’s longest outing since Sept. 23, 2008.

He’ll leave the team tomorrow night and fly to the Dominican…Tonight’s attendance: 24,835

Alfredo Simon became the second Orioles pitcher to complete seven innings in the last 29 games dating back to June 12. And he’s in line for the win.

It all starts with starting pitching.

Simon allowed two runs and three hits, walked one and struck out five. He threw 79 pitches, 56 for strikes, before Koji Uehara replaced him to begin the eighth.

This is Simon’s longest outing since Sept. 23, 2008.

He’ll leave the team tomorrow night and fly to the Dominican for Monday’s hearing. The Orioles will place him on the restricted list on Monday, freeing up a roster spot that could be occupied by Troy Patton or Matt Angle. They’re both in Baltimore.

Vladimir Guerrero is expected to go on the disabled list tomorrow, which would allow the Orioles to officially recall one of their minor leaguers. Patton and Angle are on the 40-man roster.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk left-hander Brian Matusz faced the minimum number of Gwinnett batters through five innings, getting two double plays to erase a single and walk. He threw 50 pitches, 31 for strikes.

Matusz gave up two singles in the sixth, including one to former Orioles outfielder Jeff Fiorentino, who was caught stealing.

Matusz has thrown 65 pitches, 41 for strikes.

The Tides outfield consists of Nick Green in left, Tyler Henson in center and Jake Fox in right.

Update: The Orioles ended their nine-game losing streak with a 6-5 victory over the Indians.

Kevin Gregg walked the bases loaded with one out in the ninth before striking out Lonnie Chisenhall. Orlando Cabrera followed with a three-run double, but Michael Gonzalez induced a ground ball from Grady Sizemore that Derrek Lee fielded cleanly for the final out.

That’s the first save of the season for Gonzalez.

Nick Markakis had three extra-base hits for only the third time in his career. It happened most recently in 2008. His second double tonight in the eighth inning was followed by an Adam Jones double that increased the lead to 4-2.

Markakis also scored three runs.

Felix Pie’s two-out, bases-loaded double upped the lead to 6-2. It turned out to be a crucial at-bat.

Simon provided the Orioles’ first quality start since Mitch Atkins on July 5.

Meanwhile, Matusz blanked Gwinnett on three hits over seven innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts. He threw 88 pitches, 53 for strikes.