And another thing... (updated)

And another thing... (updated)
I predicted over the winter that Miguel Tejada would bat second for the Orioles. I meant June 1. The Orioles couldn't take batting practice on the field today because of the rain. That's four straight days, if you count yesterday. Adam Jones collected the Orioles' first hit tonight with a leadoff single in the third inning. Now we'll wait for that first extra-base hit. They've totaled once since Garrett Atkins' third-inning homer on Wednesday. MASN play-by-play man Gary Thorne noted...
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A few more injury updates

A few more injury updates
Outfielder Felix Pie will begin some baseball-related activities this weekend after being restricted to exercises as he recovers from a torn muscle in his back. The word out of Sarasota is he might be ready to take batting practice by Monday. Reliever Michael Gonzalez did some long-tossing again today, but he still isn't pitching in extended spring training games. Here's a little something from Gary Kendall regarding reliever Bob McCrory, the subject of an earlier blog entry: "He's...
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Roberts making significant progress

Roberts making significant progress
Injured second baseman Brian Roberts is scheduled to play in his first extended spring training game on Friday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Roberts will take infield and batting practice tomorrow and Thursday - a normal workout day - before playing five innings at second base on Friday. The plan is for Roberts to get four at-bats, so he could lead off each inning. The rules are a lot more relaxed down there. Assuming there are no setbacks, Roberts will get five at-bats as...
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Leftover note from Sarasota

Leftover note from Sarasota
As I sat outside the clubhouse entrance at Ed Smith Stadium a few weeks ago, a player walked past me who looked exactly like former Orioles reliever Bob McCrory. I mean, they could have been separated at birth. It was uncanny. It also was Bob McCrory. The Orioles re-signed him about a week before Opening Day. I had completely lost track of him after he underwent shoulder and biceps surgery on Oct. 2. Can you believe that McCrory is already pitching in extended spring training games? And...
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It's Matusz's turn

It's Matusz's turn
As long as we're celebrating Jake Arrieta's latest gem, we should also note that Double-A Bowie left-hander Zach Britton held Richmond to two runs over 6 1/3 innings last night. He allowed six hits and walked four, so it wasn't one of his cleanest outings, but he came out of it with a 3.32 ERA. If I'm a young Orioles starter, I'm tracking every one of Arrieta's starts. And I'm hoping there's room in the rotation for both of us. I would assume that Brian Matusz's leash is longer than...
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Arrieta doesn't slow his roll

Arrieta doesn't slow his roll
Jake Arrieta isn't just knocking on the door. He's kicking it in, repairing it and kicking it in again. Handy guy. Arrieta held Rochester to one run and five hits over eight innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 106 pitches, 66 for strikes, and his ERA's down to 1.77. Arrieta has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts. In his last three starts, he's surrendered two runs and 16 hits, walked six and struck out 23 in 22 innings. How much longer...
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If it is broke, fix it

If it is broke, fix it
The Orioles are broken and they have to be fixed. Tape and glue won't hold them together. Don't bother pushing a cart through Home Depot unless your deck needs waterproofing or you have loose tiles in your shower. The offense has to be repaired. The bullpen has to be put back together. You know it's bad when fans are clamoring for Matt Angle after 14 games in the minors this year, the last two at Triple-A Norfolk. Angle, by the way, covers a lot of ground in center field. He's a human...
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New slogan: Just Do Something

New slogan: Just Do Something
I'm half-asleep or the Orioles have completely fried my brain. Not sure where to place the blame, but I'm trying to cut through the haze and get my day started. Dave Trembley is still the manager this morning. I won't provide hourly updates, but he remains in charge as I pour a bowl of cereal. The Orioles haven't arranged a conference call with reporters or sent out any releases. I haven't been told that the end is coming today. That's subject to change, of course. No matter how you...
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Checking on Reimold and Mickolio

Checking on Reimold and Mickolio
Nolan Reimold started at first base tonight for Triple-A Norfolk and went 2-for-4 with a double, his second home run and two RBIs. He's batting .130. Reimold also committed his second error with a poor throw. Reliever Kam Mickolio blew the save and took the loss against Pawtucket after allowing two runs and three hits in the eighth inning. He threw 39 pitches and saw his ERA jump to 9.42. Armando Gabino, back in Norfolk's rotation, allowed two earned runs (three total) and four hits in six...
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Tejada defends Trembley and Crowley

Tejada defends Trembley and Crowley
If you visit MASN's media lounge, you'll find Amber Theoharis' post-game interview with third baseman Miguel Tejada. It's worth a look. You might be interested in Tejada's reaction when asked about all the speculation over the job security of manager Dave Trembley and hitting coach Terry Crowley, and whether the players share the responsibility for what's transpired this season. Miguel Tejada talks with Amber about the players responsibility to win "They're not playing," Tejada...
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Ohman was due

Ohman was due
Will Ohman gave up back-to-back homers to begin the eighth inning, a dramatic way to end his scoreless streak. Ohman hadn't allowed a run in 25 appearances, but Jose Bautista jumped on a first-pitch fastball - as the Jays always do - and Alex Gonzalez launched a 3-1 pitch over the left field fence. The Orioles might want to skip the eighth inning. Maybe they can treat every game like a minor league doubleheader. Don't they only play seven innings? Bautista played for the Orioles, and three...
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No offense, but... (updated)

No offense, but... (updated)
The Orioles have peppered Toronto starter Ricky Romero with four singles today. They've got him on the ropes. OK, not quite. They scored once in the first inning and went silent again. And now they trail, 4-1, on Lyle Overbay's leadoff homer in the bottom of the sixth. I've seen enough of this guy. Maybe a lefty specialist would have retired him. Jeremy Guthrie had settled down after the first, blanking Toronto over the next four innings. His pitch count stood at 85 after he threw 23...
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Not a good start

Not a good start
The Orioles are wearing throwback uniforms on June 26. Unfortunately, it's the '62 Mets. But seriously... As I drove home from MASN's Hunt Valley studio, I listened to Jeremy Guthrie give up a 1-0 lead in the first inning that Nick Markakis provided for him. Two doubles, two singles and a walk. At least the Jays didn't homer. That's an accomplishment. Guthrie threw 27 pitches, and they took me all the way into Eldersburg. Naturally, Miguel Tejada swung at the first pitch in the second...
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Is Castillo next?

Is Castillo next?
Cla Meredith is heading to Triple-A Norfolk. You have to wonder whether Alberto Castillo will be nipping at his heels. Maybe not that close, but Castillo hasn't exactly taken full advantage of his latest opportunity in the Orioles' bullpen. His roster spot is in jeopardy. Again. Castillo entered today's game as the lefty specialist and served up a two-run homer to Lyle Overbay on his first pitch, a slider that left the ballpark in a hurry. That's the fifth homer allowed by Castillo in 12...
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Long wait, short lead (updated twice)

Long wait, short lead (updated twice)
I wondered how Chris Tillman would respond after the long wait in the dugout during the Orioles' two-run sixth inning. It wasn't a marathon, but it might have seemed that way to Tillman, who's accustomed to taking a seat on the bench, removing his cap to wipe the sweat off his forehead and getting right back up. The Orioles actually provided some rest for Tillman, along with a 2-1 lead, but Aaron Hill crushed his first pitch in the bottom half of the inning for the tying home run. Tillman...
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Tejada forced to pay attention

Tejada forced to pay attention
Third baseman Miguel Tejada fielded Aaron Hill's blistering ground ball with one out in the third, tapped his glove twice and threw to second for the force. That's fine, but what about the double play? Julio Lugo threw late to first, extending the inning and tacking two more pitches on Chris Tillman's line, raising the right-hander's total to 50. Adam Lind grounded out, so no damage was done, but it appeared that Tejada lost track of the outs and thought he only needed the force. It...
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Encouraging signs in the first (updated)

Encouraging signs in the first (updated)
Toronto leadoff hitter Fred Lewis jumped on Chris Tillman's first pitch, an 88 mph fastball, and doubled to center field. Lewis was sitting on the fastball and Tillman gave him one. And it only registered 88. That was a bad sign, but it also was the last one. Tillman struck out the side, freezing Aaron Hill with a 94 mph fastball and Adam Lind with a 93 mph fastball, and getting Vernon Wells to swing through another heater that ended a 10-pitch battle. Tillman needs to throw his curveball...
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A reason to watch

A reason to watch
The Orioles don't have an extra-base hit since Garrett Atkins homered on Wednesday. It's time to raise the singles bar. Make mine a double. Brian Roberts took live batting practice from both sides of the plate earlier today in Sarasota. Those baseball-related activities are increasing. So are the chances that he'll get back in the lineup in a few weeks. The Orioles aren't completely ruling out June 9, the date Roberts is eligible to come off the disabled list, but he might need a little...
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Orioles lineup (w/Toronto)

Orioles lineup (w/Toronto)
Julio Lugo 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Garrett Atkins DH Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Chris Tillman RHP Feeling good about this one? Jones went 0-for-4 last night to snap his career-best 13-game hitting streak. I tried to come up with a "detained" joke and couldn't do it. The Orioles haven't won a road series since Sept. 11-13 in New York. They're 0-10-1 since taking down the Yankees. They're also 7-29 in their last 36 road...
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No surprise, no surprise, no surprise (w/Norfolk info)

No surprise, no surprise, no surprise (w/Norfolk info)
Just to recap: The Orioles didn't score a run for Kevin Millwood. They officially recalled Chris Tillman from Triple-A Norfolk to make tomorrow's start in Toronto. They optioned reliever Cla Meredith to Norfolk to make room for Tillman on the 25-man roster. Pretty slow night. Meredith took the news about like you'd expect. He wasn't happy and mentioned his uneven use and how he only works here, but I outlined earlier today why the Orioles needed to make a decision on him. He's been...
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