More pre-game points

More pre-game points
Interim manager Juan Samuel joked that you "add a little headache" when trying to find at-bats for Garrett Atkins, who survived today's roster moves. "We've got some lefties coming up, and now that we're in our league, the DH spot is always open to get somebody in," Samuel said. "If you need to give Luke (Scott) an off-day or give Corey Patterson an off-day, we might face some lefties where Atkins needs to be in there. We've got a righty tomorrow, lefty next day, so we'll see what we...
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Gonzo's velocity is up (w/quotes)

Gonzo's velocity is up (w/quotes)
Michael Gonzalez threw 19 pitches in the first inning for the Gulf Coast League Orioles, and his fastball was clocked in the 90-91 mph range. He had trouble hitting the mid-80s a month ago. Felix Pie went 1-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts as the designated hitter. "Those guys are going to continue to do their rehab down there," interim manager Juan Samuel said. Pie is expected to join an in-state affiliate later this week, perhaps by Thursday. Single-A Frederick will be...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Scott Moore 2B Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP For the Marlins: Coghlan LF Sanchez 1B Ramirez SS Cantu DH Uggla 2B Ross CF Stanton RF Helms 3B Paulino C Sanchez RHP Jake Fox's name is listed among the Orioles reserves. He's wearing No. 47. Cla Meredith, designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster, was 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 games with...
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GCL update (w/Tillman update)

GCL update (w/Tillman update)
Michael Gonzalez began his injury rehab assignment today with the Gulf Coast League Orioles, throwing a scoreless first inning before Aaron Swenson replaced him. Gonzalez allowed a two-out single and struck out two. He retired the other batter on a pop up to first baseman Tyler Townsend. Felix Pie is serving as the designated hitter again and batting third. He's 0-for-2 with a strikeout and fly ball. Update: The Orioles optioned Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for newly...
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Atkins diet sheds him from lineup (w/Fox update)

Atkins diet sheds him from lineup (w/Fox update)
It's only been a week since the Orioles played a game at Camden Yards, but it feels much longer to me. I'll have to remind myself to put down the boxes and head to the ballpark this afternoon. The Orioles begin a three-game interleague series against the Marlins, and they aren't real familiar with right-hander Anibal Sanchez. Cesar Izturis is 2-for-3 with a double against him. Garrett Atkins and Julio Lugo are 0-for-3, and Luke Scott is 0-for-2 with a walk. That's it. Will another...
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Bergy through four (updated)

Bergy through four (updated)
Brad Bergesen has completed four innings tonight at Triple-A Norfolk, allowing one run and three hits, with no walks and two strikeouts. Bergesen retired the first eight Lehigh Valley batters before surrendering three straight singles (with two stolen bases mixed in). Bergesen has thrown 63 pitches, 46 for strikes. He threw 65 in 2 2/3 innings in his last start. Norfolk leads, 4-1. Josh Bell is 2-for-2 with two doubles and an RBI. Rhyne Hughes added a two-run double, and Nolan Reimold is...
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Two GCL updates (more on Pie)

Two GCL updates (more on Pie)
Felix Pie went 0-for-4 today in his first injury rehab game with the Gulf Coast League Orioles. He was removed for a pinch-hitter - hopefully because he was only slated to receive four at-bats. Update: I received a text message from a team official stating that Pie is fine and received the desired amount of at-bats. Pie grounded to second, third and short, and reached on an error. He left for a pinch-hitter with two outs and a runner on second base in the bottom of the ninth inning. First...
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Bergy starting tonight (w/Pie update)

Bergy starting tonight (w/Pie update)
Brad Bergesen will work on short rest tonight when he takes the mound for Triple-A Norfolk's game against Lehigh Valley. Bergesen started Thursday night against Toledo, but lasted only 2 2/3 innings. He was removed after 65 pitches and three runs, allowing him to come back tonight. The Orioles need a starter Saturday night against the Nationals, so Bergesen is lined up to make his return to Camden Yards. But it won't happen if he's shelled tonight. Trust me, you don't want to be shelled...
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Making room for Pie

Making room for Pie
Good morning. I'll be stepping away from my laptop, and this blog, more than usual this week as I continue to make the gradual move into my townhouse. The new place is empty, but I've got my rental through the end of the month. The new one is pretty much within walking distance of my current residence, if I was motivated, but I find it easier to load up my car for the short drive. The professional movers arrive Thursday morning, but I'm trying to leave behind as little as possible...
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Down on the farm

Down on the farm
Brandon Erbe is 0-10 with a 5.73 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk after today's 5-1 loss to Toledo. Erbe allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits in five innings, and was removed after 88 pitches (59 strikes). Jim Miller threw two scoreless innings, striking out three, but Toledo's Casper Wells hit a three-run homer off Dennis Sarfate in the ninth. Josh Bell was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Jeff Salazar had two hits. Single-A Frederick's Ryan O'Shea also allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits in...
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The beating goes on

The beating goes on
Remember when the Orioles had a 4-0 lead in the first inning? I should have taken pictures. They forgot about the other eight innings. The bats are back in the rack. Jon Garland has retired 14 in a row as we head to the bottom of the sixth. Mark Hendrickson gave up a run in the fifth to increase the Padres' lead to 7-4. Hendrickson has allowed eight runs and 10 hits in his last three appearances totaling 3 2/3 innings, and 11 runs and 14 hits in his last five games totaling 6 2/3 innings....
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Arrieta laboring (updated)

Arrieta laboring (updated)
Jake Arrieta's third major league start isn't going as smoothly as the first two. Not even close. Arrieta isn't commanding his fastball, resulting in six runs (five earned) and three walks in three innings. That 4-0 lead is a distant memory. Luke Scott made a great catch in foul territory to rob Scott Hairston, almost flipping over into the camera well, but his error on Jerry Hairston's ground ball allowed Will Venable to score. Far worse was Venable's three-run homer with two outs in...
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Wieters' bat awakens

Wieters' bat awakens
Matt Wieters began today with only two RBIs since May 27, but he collected three with a bases-loaded double in the first inning that increased the Orioles' lead to 4-0. Wieters hadn't finished a game with three RBIs since May 1 against Boston. He was mired in a 3-for-34 slump, but the Orioles haven't discussed sending him down to Triple-A Norfolk. He's in the lineup again because they didn't have a late game last night, compared to most Saturdays, and interim manager Juan Samuel thinks...
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Today's lineups

Today's lineups
For the Orioles: LF Corey Patterson 3B Miguel Tejada RF Nick Markakis 2B Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott CF Adam Jones C Matt Wieters SS Cesar Izturis RHP Jake Arrieta For the Padres: CF Tony Gwynn 2B David Eckstein 1B Adrian Gonzalez C Nick Hundley LF Scott Hairston RF Will Venable SS Jerry Hairston Jr. 3B Lance Zawadzki RHP Jon Garland A victory today would make Arrieta the first Orioles starter in club history to win his first three outings. Ben McDonald won his first five starts, but made...
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Snyder sidelined

Snyder sidelined
I was scrolling through Triple-A Norfolk's game notes, which were e-mailed early this morning, when I spotted this line: Brandon Snyder was placed on the disabled list yesterday, retroactive to June 18, with a right shoulder strain and Joey Gathright was activated from the DL (lower back strain). Snyder was hitting .311 in his last 36 games. By the way, the Tides list their next four starters after today as TBA. Brad Bergesen could get the ball tomorrow on short rest after throwing 65...
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Berken keeps workin'

Berken keeps workin'
Happy Father's Day. I was greeted this morning with the following exchange: Daughter: "Can I go swimming later today?" Me: "Only if you wish me a Happy Father's Day." Daughter: "Oh crap, I forgot! Happy Father's Day. I love you." I guess that counts. Have you recovered from last night's game? You might need to stay in bed, even if you're not getting breakfast there. Kevin Millwood's first victory wasn't going to come easily, not on a night when the Orioles butchered a...
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A lost RBI

A lost RBI
The Orioles should lead by three runs heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, and Adam Jones should have three RBIs tonight. Corey Patterson pinch-ran for Luke Scott, who collected his third hit, and stole second to move into scoring position. Unfortunately, the "scoring" part didn't hold up. Patterson didn't get a good jump on Jones' single to center field, and he stumbled as he reached third base. He kept going and was an easy out, especially because he chose to go in standing...
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Good news on two levels

Good news on two levels
Adam Jones hit his ninth home run tonight, a two-run shot into the second deck that gave the Orioles a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning. Kevin Millwood has blanked the Padres since that infuriating first inning. He's thrown 86 pitches through the fifth. Down on the farm, Nolan Reimold went 2-for-4 with a double, walk and run scored in Triple-A Norfolk's 10-3 win over Toledo. Reimold's average is up to .217. Looks like he's heating up. Jeff Salazar homered twice and drove in four runs. Paco...
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The good and the bad (updated)

The good and the bad (updated)
Let's start with the good: The Orioles scored a run for Kevin Millwood in the first inning after Julio Lugo reached on Jerry Hairston's throwing error, stole third base and raced home on Nick Markakis' fly ball. Interim manager Juan Samuel told reporters that outfielder Felix Pie, rehabbing a torn muscle in his back, will begin an injury rehab assignment in the minors on Tuesday. Double-A Bowie left-hander Zach Britton shut out Harrisburg on two hits over six innings. Triple-A Norfolk...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: 2B Julio Lugo 3B Miguel Tejada RF Nick Markakis 1B Ty Wigginton LF Luke Scott CF Adam Jones C Matt Wieters SS Cesar Izturis RHP Kevin Millwood For the Padres: 2B David Eckstein 3B Chase Headley 1B Adrian Gonzalez LF Scott Hairston C Yorvit Torrealba RF Will Venable SS Jerry Hairston Jr. CF Tony Gwynn Jr. LHP Clayton Richard Richard has allowed more than three runs only once this season - May 28 vs. the Nationals. He's gone six or more innings in his last seven games,...
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