Brad Bergesen knew three months ago that he'd start the home opener, according to manager Dave Trembley.
This isn't how they envisioned it.
Bergesen was charged with five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, leaving his ERA after one appearance at 9.64.
"It was a tough outing," he said. "They hit some bad pitches and they hit some good pitches. Hopefully I'll make some adjustments the next few days and get after Tampa Bay."
Matt Wieters gives his thoughts on Brad Bergesen's outing...
How strange that Mike Gonzalez keeps facing the bottom of the order in his save opportunities.
Maybe he should start in the middle. Can that be arranged?
Manager Dave Trembley's patience is being tested. It shows on his face and in his answers. He's trying to remain supportive of Gonzalez, but he's also frustrated that a 3-1 record has been turned around.
Dave Trembley talks with the media after the O's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays
"The bottom line for me is today is a game you have to...
Mike Gonzalez sat at his locker again, waiting for reporters to talk about his latest destructive outing.
It must be getting old - for a lot of people.
"It's definitely not the way I wanted to start off, but I definitely have the utmost confidence in my ability," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind that I can get the job done. I just got off to a bad start and that's all I can say about that.
"The thing I'm most frustrated about is the way this team's playing now. We're hitting...
It wasn't a 15-pitch free pass from closer Mike Gonzalez. I'm referring to his walk back to the dugout after being removed from the game with two outs in the top of the ninth and the Blue Jays ahead, 7-6.
Fans showered Gonzalez with boos long before he hit the real showers. He's surrendered two leads in four games, and last night's save was a buzz kill.
Manager Dave Trembley replaced Gonzalez with Cla Meredith. He was one batter away from making the same switch last night.
Brian Roberts...
Felix Pie scored from first base on a single.
Felix Pie scored from first base on a single.
If I type it enough times, maybe it will start to make sense.
Pie, pinch-running for Matt Wieters, raced home with the tie-breaking run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth on Cesar Izturis' single into right-center field. Pie just kept motoring - and he wasn't running on the pitch, so he had a lot of ground to make up - and beat the relay from Toronto second baseman John McDonald.
Catcher...
It didn't take long for Miguel Tejada to win over the remaining fans here who weren't thrilled with his return to Baltimore.
Tejada singled in two runs in the first inning and belted a two-run homer to left field in the fifth to tie the game, 5-5, and take Brad Bergesen off the hook.
The last time Tejada collected four RBIs or more in a game was July 28, 2009 against the Cubs.
He had five RBIs with the Orioles on Aug. 9, 2007 vs. the Mariners.
Today's attendance: 48,891. That's a new...
Brian Roberts has left the game with a strained abdominal muscle.
The injury occurred when Roberts stole second base. He scored the Orioles' first run, but you could tell that he was hurting.
Roberts also was shaken up last night while diving into second, but only because he took a knee in the back of his neck. The herniated disk doesn't seem to be an issue, unless it leads to sore necks and stomach muscles.
If only I could find comfort in that statement.
Julio Lugo has replaced Roberts...
I've always wondered how Adam Jones can blow a bubble and catch a baseball simultaneously. He does it all the time.
I can't unwrap a piece of gum and walk in a straight line.
It's mildly amusing when Jones does it. He's left wide open to criticism when it doesn't work.
Jones couldn't make a running grab of John Buck's long fly ball to center with two outs in the first. His bubble didn't pop, but the ball popped out of his glove, allowing two more runs to score off Brad Bergesen and...
The first loud ovation during pre-game introductions was reserved for young pitcher Brian Matusz as he jogged down the orange carpet. He's already a fan favorite after nine major league starts.
Matt Wieters gave him a run for his money as the starters were introduced.
You want loud? Just call out Brooks Robinson's name and bring him out of the dugout.
Miguel Tejada caught the ceremonial first pitch from Brooks. Garrett Atkins set the target for Boog Powell.
Always nice to be reminded of...
Before I move on to the next subject, I wanted to thank everyone for the kind words and encouragement regarding my spring training coverage and color analyst debut on MASN.
I'm probably one-and-done with the TV gig, but I had a good time. And I was very fortunate to work with so many professionals, and friends, who bring each telecast to life.
The behind-the-scenes work is truly amazing to me. The seamless transitions from one topic to the next, matching up with the images and graphics on...
The Orioles are taking batting practice, many of them wearing their black long-sleeve pullovers. I'm afraid to borrow one, but it's crossed my mind.
Manager Dave Trembley is hitting grounders to Julio Lugo at shortstop, making him range into the hole to backhand the ball. Ty Wigginton is getting some work at third base.
Trembley began his 11:30 a.m. media session by saying "Welcome to Opening Day at Camden Yards. We've been looking forward to this day for a long time and I'm sure it'll...
Brian Roberts 2B
Adam Jones CF
Nick Markakis RF
Miguel Tejada 3B
Luke Scott LF
Matt Wieters C
Nolan Reimold DH
Garrett Atkins 1B
Cesar Izturis SS
Brad Bergesen RHP
Felix Pie will perform baseball-related activities today and is expected to make at least one start in this series.
Manager Dave Trembley told reporters that closer Mike Gonzalez is available, but he'd like to give Will Ohman the day off. Mark Hendrickson could serve as the situational lefty.
No updates on Koji Uehara. It's...
I thought I'd never get back.
Now that I've gone from the second floor of the Marriott Tampa Airport to my Southwest gate to BWI to my sister's house in Pasadena to Camden Yards, I wanted to fire up the blog for a few seconds from my usual seat in the press box.
It's sunny and...cold.
What happpened to that 90-degree weather I kept hearing about this week?
Manager Dave Trembley will meet with reporters in about an hour. I'll post the lineup as soon as I get my hands on it.
It should...
Oh yeah, right, I have a blog.
They're shooting off fireworks inside Tropicana Field, so I'm typing as fast as I can before I'm unable to see my laptop through the smoke.
These people know this place has a roof on it, right?
Brian Matusz walked three batters in spring training. He walked the bases loaded in the third inning tonight.
Not a typical performance, but good enough to get the win.
Amber Theoharis interviews Brian Matusz about his outing in the O's 5-4 win
"I can't remember...
Manager Dave Trembley will write Brian Roberts' name in the lineup again tomorrow for the home opener.
Roberts told Trembley that he wanted to play tonight and is ready to go. Look for him to sit during one of the weekend games.
Roberts is 0-for-10 after two games.
"He's had some good at-bats, seen a lot of pitches, fouled off a lot of pitches, worked the count," Trembley said. "The hits haven't fallen in for him. I'm sure he's not where he wants to be, simply because he didn't...
Reliever Jim Johnson threw in the bullpen today and pronounced himself ready to pitch.
"Everything went fine," he said."My arm feels good. I'll be in there."
Johnson had some swelling in his right elbow caused by a slight muscle strain.
"It's something I haven't really had before," he said. "It's just muscular, nothing with a ligament. The meds and ice worked. Pretty much Advil and ice. So we're good."
Outfielder Felix Pie will attempt to throw today and is available to...
Brian Roberts 2B
Adam Jones CF
Nick Markakis RF
Miguel Tejada 3B
Luke Scott LF
Matt Wieters C
Nolan Reimold DH
Garrett Atkins 1B
Julio Lugo SS
Brian Matusz LHP
While prepping for tonight's MASN broadcast, I'll also need to check on left fielder Felix Pie and find out whether he's close to getting back in the lineup.
We haven't seen one posted up here in the press box, so I'll have to wait until the clubhouse opens to the media at 3:40 p.m.
If Pie isn't in left tonight, and it would be a shocker if his shoulder allowed it, Nolan Reimold or Luke Scott figure to take his place. Reimold couldn't get to two balls in the gap last night, but I...
It isn't often that I get the chance to replace a Hall of Famer, but Jim Palmer got the hook today and I'm coming in from the bullpen. And there isn't much time to warm up.
Let me explain.
Palmer is dealing with a bad chest cold and won't be joining play-by-play man Jim Hunter tonight in the MASN broadcast booth. Somebody has to fill his seat, if not his shoes.
That would be me.
All I ask is that you go easy on me. I don't know how many innings I'm working and I don't know exactly...
Brian Matusz retained his rookie status this season.
Now he needs to become the stopper in the opening series of 2010.
Is there anything else he can do for us? Is he taking lunch orders, too?
Matusz will try to block the Rays' attempts to post a three-game sweep, which would make that early-morning arrival into BWI tomorrow seem even more cruel.
He's pitched once at Tropicana Field and won, though he allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and didn't issue...