Having a grand ol' time (updated)

Having a grand ol' time (updated)
Luke Scott swung at the first pitch from reliever Brandon League with the bases loaded in the eighth and destroyed Seattle's 5-2 lead. Scott hit his second career grand slam, and the first by an Oriole since Michael Aubrey on Oct. 2. If only he could have enjoyed the trip around the bases from the first few steps. Scott pumped his fist in the air and shouted with joy as he rounded first, but Ty Wigginton began to wave him back to the bag, thinking the ball was still in play. Left...
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Well, if you take away the home runs... (updated)

Well, if you take away the home runs... (updated)
Ichiro Suzuki, Mike Sweeney and Michael Saunders had combined for one home run in 185 at-bats before today's game. They each took Kevin Millwood deep in the right-hander's 6 2/3 innings. That'll leave a mark. Saunders raised his season's total to two and knocked out Millwood, who has been replaced by Mark Hendrickson with the Orioles trailing, 5-1. Suzuki was a lifetime .394 hitter vs. Millwood before today, including one home run in 71 at-bats. Millwood has surrendered 10 homers this...
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A lost lead and reliever

A lost lead and reliever
Kevin Millwood just fumbled a 1-0 lead in the fifth on Michael Saunders' two-out single that scored Ryan Langerhans and Ichiro Suzuki's first home run of the season. Seattle 3, Orioles 1. Langerhans led off with a double and took third on Josh Wilson's fly ball to right. Rob Johnson sent a bouncer up the middle against the Orioles drawn-in infield, and shortstop Cesar Izturis made a clean pick-up and throw for the out as Langerhans held at third. I thought the ball might sneak through or...
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Moore is less

Moore is less
Triple-A Norfolk infielder Scott Moore left today's game in Syracuse after one at-bat because of a strained hamstring. He's expected to be sidelined for about a week. Paco Figueroa, just promoted from Double-A Bowie, replaced Moore at second base. Ty Wigginton has the game's only hit as we enter the bottom of the third inning. He lined a single to left field. He's my favorite player today, in case you didn't notice. Here are a few more pre-game comments from manager Dave Trembley, who...
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The perfect present

The perfect present
Happy Birthday, David Hernandez. And what better way to celebrate your 25th than having manager Dave Trembley tell reporters this morning that the organization hasn't discussed replacing you in the rotation. Hernandez's 11 consecutive losses are two shy of Mike Boddicker's club record. He was charged with five runs (four earned) and five hits in 5 2/3 innings, with four walks, four strikeouts and two wild pitches, in Tuesday's start against the Mariners. Trembley mentioned how Hernandez...
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Playing for a Ty

Playing for a Ty
Orioles manager Dave Trembley wrote Ty Wigginton's name in the lineup - and we're talking marker, not pencil - before the club's second baseman arrived at Camden Yards. Wigginton insisted last night that he'd be fine. Forget that his hand and wrist were wrapped to prevent more swelling after Seattle shortstop Josh Wilson nailed him with a throw in the second inning. Not a problem. Sure enough, Wigginton showed up this morning without the wrap, and with every intention of starting against...
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Orioles lineup

Orioles lineup
True to his word, Ty Wigginton is playing again today after being hit on his right wrist last night while breaking up a double play. Next, he'll tear a phone book in half and tow an 18-wheeler with his teeth. Here's the lineup: Corey Patterson LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Ty Wigginton 2B Luke Scott DH Rhyne Hughes 1B Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP
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I walk alone

I walk alone
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me. Players aren't required to report today until 11 a.m. after last night's late finish. The clubhouse opens to the media at 9 a.m., the usual 3 1/2 hours before first pitch. The smart reporters wait until players start to show up. I got here at 8:50 a.m. My mother didn't raise any stupid children, but my judgment has been questioned on multiple occasions. The lineup hasn't been posted yet. The clubhouse is completely empty. So is the...
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Orioles 5, Mariners 2

Orioles 5, Mariners 2
One of the first things I noticed upon arriving at the ballpark today was the Orioles taking early batting practice. Look for that trend to continue. "We're probably going to continue having early hitting every day until we get everybody where they should be," manager Dave Trembley said. "It seemed like guys were a little more relaxed tonight. (Nolan) Reimold got sent out, so that takes some of it off some of the other guys who I think have been scuffling." Dave Trembley talks with the...
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Go West, old umpire (w/game update)

Go West, old umpire (w/game update)
Tonight's attendance: 11,448. Adam Jones has three hits and an RBI. Luke Scott has homered and doubled. Some guys really want to stay up here. Plate umpire Joe West, on a crusade to speed up the games, grew agitated with Orioles third baseman Miguel Tejada in the sixth inning. Tejada had the nerve to walk to the mound between outs so he could dig the mud out of his spikes and say a few words to Brad Bergesen. West yelled at Tejada, who returned to third base, and stared him down after the...
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Bergy looks like he's back (w/spoiler update)

Bergy looks like he's back (w/spoiler update)
Brad Bergesen hasn't recorded a strikeout for the second consecutive start, and it means absolutely nothing. Just thought I'd mention it. Bergesen is shutting out the Mariners on three hits over five innings, giving him 11 2/3 scoreless innings over his last two games. He's walked two and struck out none - the same as his last start. Bergesen escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fourth and retired the Mariners in order in the fifth. He's thrown 61 pitches. SPOILER ALERT: Still no...
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Two game updates (w/update)

Two game updates (w/update)
Corey Patterson is the catalyst of this offense. Somebody had to say it. Patterson grounded a single into right field leading off the third inning, took second on Adam Jones' single to left and scored on Miguel Tejada's one-out double. Jones also motored home. Orioles 2, Seattle 0. Matt Wieters singled with two outs, but Seattle center fielder Ryan Langerhans threw out Tejada at the plate. Update: Luke Scott knocked Ryan Rowland-Smith out of the game with a home run leading off the...
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Wigginton hurt? (updated)

Wigginton hurt? (updated)
Ty Wigginton broke up a double play in the second inning. Let's hope that's all he broke. Wigginton was nailed in the right hand by a throw from Mariners shortstop Josh Wilson while sliding into second base. He immediately jumped to his feet and ran into the dugout with his arm hanging at his side. He didn't retreat to the clubhouse or the trainers room. He's still in the dugout, showing the hand to head athletic trainer Richie Bancells. That's one tough guy. Instant update: ...
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A soggy start

A soggy start
Following a 24-minute rain delay... The first ball put in play tonight headed directly to Corey Patterson in left field. I'd say something about Patterson getting his feet wet, but that happened during his jog from the dugout. Patterson caught Ichiro Suzuki's line drive for the first out, and Brad Bergesen retired the next two Mariners for a routine inning. He needed 10 pitches to get out of the rain. Patterson almost led off the bottom of the first with a bloop hit down the right field...
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Patterson arrives (w/more quotes added)

Patterson arrives (w/more quotes added)
Corey Patterson finally made it to Camden Yards, though he still hadn't changed into his uniform as he spoke to reporters outside the clubhouse. I asked Patterson whether it felt strange to be back here after leaving the Orioles following the 2007 season. "Yes and no," he said. Glad we cleared that up. OK, seriously, here's the rest of his quote: "You always think when you leave an organization whether you'll get back, and you see it happen occasionally. I'm happy to be back here....
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More Trembley and Bowie result

More Trembley and Bowie result
It sounds like Corey Patterson will get a chance to seize the leadoff role when he's in the lineup, though manager Dave Trembley wasn't ready to make any grand declarations without first speaking to the outfielder. "We need to get somebody to spark our offense," Trembley said. "I'm not putting it all on Corey, but he has been a leadoff guy in the past. He was playing very well in Triple-A. Nolan (Reimold) wasn't playing well here. "It's unfortunate that these things happen, but they...
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Pre-game Trembley & Mariners lineup

Pre-game Trembley & Mariners lineup
Manager Dave Trembley was in a solemn mood as he met with reporters before the game. Trembley is still waiting for Corey Patterson to arrive at the ballpark. Nolan Reimold already had left the clubhouse. "We'll try to get him some success in Triple-A, and hopefully his stay in Triple-A isn't very long," Trembley said. "We held on as long as we possibly could with him. This was a discussion that had been going on for a while. I was hoping that he was going to hit himself through it, but...
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Roberts headed to 60-day disabled list (w/Orioles lineup)

Roberts headed to 60-day disabled list (w/Orioles lineup)
Second baseman Brian Roberts told MASNsports.com today that the Orioles are transferring him to the 60-day disabled list. I assume the move is being made to clear room on the 40-man roster for Corey Patterson. Roberts mentioned yesterday that he might begin small baseball-related activities by the end of the week, but he's not close to getting back in the lineup. He hasn't played since the April 9 home opener against Toronto. You can check out Roberts' video blog. He'll discuss this...
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Early hitting, early exit

Early hitting, early exit
The Orioles are taking early batting practice today, and the group includes outfielder Lou Montanez, who isn't packing his bags and meeting up with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides in Syracuse, N.Y. Sorry, Nolan Reimold, but your time is up. And the only parting gift is an extra Brian Matusz T-shirt. Reimold will be the casualty when Corey Patterson is added to the 25-man roster. Maybe he can find his stroke, the way Chris Tillman rediscovered his command with the Tides, and make it back here in a...
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Getting to know Patterson - again

Getting to know Patterson - again
Corey Patterson is more than just the older brother of Oakland's Eric Patterson. Here's a refresher to go with your lunch: The Cubs selected Patterson with the third overall pick in the 1998 draft. He's a career .252 hitter in 10 major league seasons with five teams. He turns 31 in August. The Orioles acquired Patterson from the Cubs in January 2006 for minor leaguers Nate Spears and Carlos Perez. He hit .276 with 19 doubles, five triples, 16 homers, 53 RBIs, 45 stolen bases and a .757...
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