Making another stop at Camden Yards today, Alberto Castillo allowed two runs and two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Russell Branyan took him deep in the ninth after Austin Kearns' leadoff double.
Cla Meredith replaced Castillo and gave up a double and single to the first two batters he faced.
Did I arrive here in a time machine set for last night?
The Indians were denied another run when Adam Jones threw out Jhonny Peralta at the plate.
That's seven outfield assists for the Orioles -...
Craig Tatum has two hits and Corey Patterson drew a walk.
It's the end of the world as we know it. Too bad I don't feel fine.
The Orioles have seven hits in five innings. They put two more runners on base in the fifth on Tatum's single and Patterson's walk, and they still couldn't score. Adam Jones bounced into a double play.
Mark Hendrickson needed three more outs to turn in a quality start, but he left after Shin-Soo Choo's leadoff single in the sixth. That's three runs and seven...
Matt LaPorta hit a two-run homer off Mark Hendrickson in the fifth inning to increase Cleveland's lead to 3-0.
LaPorta's first homer of the season traveled 432-foot to center field. It also made the Orioles look even worse for wasting two more singles in the fourth.
They've collected two hits in the first, second and fourth innings, but they can't score.
Your second update: Nolan Reimold hit a two-run homer for Triple-A Norfolk. That's also his first hit with the Tides.
Maybe first...
Nolan Reimold is starting at first base today for Triple-A Norfolk.
Very interesting.
Reimold is 0-for-2 with a strikeout and still looking for his first hit with the Tides.
Third baseman Josh Bell is 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs.
Norfolk placed left-hander Chris George on the disabled list, so Armando Gabino is starting for the Tides.
Things are tough all over.
Update: The Orioles trail, 1-0, in the bottom of the third after Grady Sizemore's two-out single scored Lou Marson, who...
I'm convinced that Alberto Castillo never leaves Camden Yards. He just hides in a back room and jumps out whenever the Orioles need a reliever.
I want documented evidence that he's reported to Triple-A Norfolk at least once over the last two years.
Grady Sizemore, suddenly a shell of the player he used to be - I'll blame injuries that necessitated at least two surgeries last year - just made a sensational diving catch in right-center field with two outs to rob Ty Wigginton of an extra-base...
Reliever Mike Gonzalez will throw live batting practice tomorrow in Sarasota, the first time he's faced hitters since going on the disabled list. He's also scheduled to throw an inning in Thursday's extended spring training game.
Brian Roberts expanded his baseball activities today by hitting off a tee. He also fielded ground balls again from Juan Samuel.
Roberts will fly to Sarasota this week while the Orioles are on the road and continue to increase his workload.
Manager Dave Trembley...
David Hernandez won't make today's start because of soreness in his right shoulder that cropped up about two weeks ago.
Left-hander Mark Hendrickson will take Hernandez's turn today. Hernandez is regarded as day-to-day.
Hernandez said he usually feels the discomfort the day after his start, but it surfaced during his most recent outing on Tuesday, when he allowed five runs (four earned) and five hits, with four walks, in 5 2/3 innings. That's when he decided to alert the club.
"I was...
That's what it says on the lineup.
For the Orioles:
Corey Patterson LF
Adam Jones CF
Nick Markakis RF
Miguel Tejada 3B
Ty Wigginton 2B
Luke Scott DH
Garrett Atkins 1B
Craig Tatum C
Julio Lugo SS
Mark Hendrickson LHP
For the Indians:
Cabrera SS
Sizemore CF
Choo RF
Kearns LF
Branyan 1B
Peralta 3B
Grudzielanek 2B
LaPorta DH
Marson C
Westbrook RHP
Manager Dave Trembley's in his office, but he hasn't posted the lineup.
Players aren't due to report here until noon, but I counted six in the clubhouse at 10 a.m.: Matt Wieters, Jason Berken, Ty Wigginton, Kevin Millwood, Brad Bergesen and Cesar Izturis.
I spent way too much time replaying last night's game in my head, though it did drown out some of the voices, so that part was pretty cool.
I'm on record as saying I hate when the baton keeps getting passed, because you just know...
The Orioles will call up a reliever from Triple-A Norfolk tomorrow to replace first baseman Rhyne Hughes on the 25-man roster.
Alberto Castillo and Kam Mickolio are on the 40-man roster. The choice doesn't appear to be non-roster pitcher Dennis Sarfate, though he hasn't allowed an earned run in 7 2/3 innings and International League batters are 1-for-26 against him.
Update: Mickolio is dealing with a sore back, so you can eliminate him from consideration. Look for Castillo to be in...
So, about that ninth...
"We made real good pitches up until that point in time, but we didn't close it out," manager Dave Trembley said following tonight's 8-2 loss to the Indians, which is going to sting long after the lights are turned off at Camden Yards.
"(Brian) Matusz made quality pitches in the seventh. Koji (Uehara) got a real big third out for us after a walk. (Alfredo) Simon hung a split and (Austin) Kearns hit a home run."
That pretty much sums it up.
Dave Trembley talks...
The Orioles optioned first baseman Rhyne Hughes to Triple-A Norfolk after tonight's game.
A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow.
Hughes hit .213 (10-for-47) with four RBIs in 14 games. He was 5-for-31 with 14 strikeouts in his last 10 games.
Is it really going to take five pitchers to wrap up a 2-0 victory?
If the Orioles hold on, it will be the first time they've allowed one run or fewer in back-to-back games since Aug. 8-9, 2008. They defeated the Texas Rangers 9-1 and 9-0.
Alfredo Simon will need to get the last three outs and record the save to make it happen.
Unfortunately for the Orioles, they'll turn over the Indians lineup after Cleveland sent five batters to the plate in the eighth. Simon will face the ninth, first...
The Orioles have runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, and Corey Patterson's at the plate.
A fly ball delivers their second run and gives left-hander Brian Matusz a little more room to breathe.
So why is Cesar Izturis trying to steal second?
Indians catcher is Lou Marson is 2-for-2 in these challenges tonight after cutting down Izturis with a perfect throw.
Naturally, Patterson lifted a fly ball to center field, but it resulted in the third out.
Were the...
Brian Matusz has a shutout through four innings. He's allowed five hits, which means he's scattered them.
Matusz's six strikeouts match his total over his last three starts. He fanned Travis Hafner to open the fourth on a knee-buckling curveball, and Jhonny Peralta swung through a 92 mph fastball.
The Orioles aren't giving him much support. The game's only run came on Ty Wigginton's 414-foot homer.
Down on the farm, St. Paul's grad Steve Johnson is pitching for Double-A Bowie against...
Ty Wigginton hit 11 home runs in 410 at-bats last season.
He just belted No. 11 this year in his 116th at-bat.
I don't want to jinx the guy, but I like his chances of surpassing last year's total.
Wigginton gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second inning by crushing a 78 mph changeup from Cleveland starter Mitch Talbot. Wigginton swung at the first pitch and launched it 414 feet to left field.
Adam Jones has the other hit off Talbot, a single in the first inning. He was cut down trying...
When I posted earlier that Rhyne Hughes hit outdoors before batting practice, you probably thought, "Good idea."
Hughes isn't in the lineup tonight against a right-hander, which tells you how much he's struggling. He's 5-for-31 with one RBI and 14 strikeouts in his last 10 games, lowering his average to .213 after a scorching start with the Orioles.
Welcome to The Show.
What is manager Dave Trembley seeing from Hughes?
"Swinging and missing too much," he replied.
Fortunately, he...
Brian Roberts played catch yesterday. He played catch and took ground balls today.
That qualifies as baby steps, but at least he's moving forward.
"I am encouraged," manager Dave Trembley said. "He's felt better, but he's got a ways to go yet."
Trembley expects Roberts to start hitting off a tee as the next step.
Reliever Mike Gonzalez had a side session in Sarasota today (say that three times fast). He threw 30 pitches.
That's the first time he's stepped on a mound since...
Nolan Reimold, starting in left field today for Triple-A Norfolk, is 0-for-3 with a strikeout. The Tides trail Buffalo, 4-0, in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Michael Aubrey is 1-for-3 as the designated hitter, leaving his average at .256. Rhyne Hughes might want to keep an eye on him.
Jake Arrieta allowed four runs and five hits over six innings, with four walks and three strikeouts. He surrendered two home runs.
Arrieta threw 98 pitches, 57 for strikes.
Dennis Sarfate has thrown 1 2/3...
Hank Blalock suddenly has become a hot commodity, at least judging by some comments on this blog.
Thanks to JDB for directing me to this link, which explains how the Rays are calling up Blalock from Triple-A Durham and how he could have exercised his opt-out clause.
Blalock, the former Texas Ranger who garnered little interest on the free-agent market, will replace Pat Burrell.
I'm not slamming Blalock, and I was intrigued by him over the winter as the Orioles figured to let the first base...