masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgRobert Andino, a player who was dropped from the O’s 40-man roster in April, is now impressing his manager and perhaps laying the groundwork for a shot at a roster spot in 2011.

Andino has proven to be versatile, while at the same time showing pop in his bat, in the chances he has gotten in recent days.

“I’m just going out here and playing hard. They’ve given me an opportunity and I put my time in, put my work in. Just go out, have fun and play hard.”

On Saturday night, Andino had…Robert Andino, a player who was dropped from the O’s 40-man roster in April, is now impressing his manager and perhaps laying the groundwork for a shot at a roster spot in 2011.

Andino has proven to be versatile, while at the same time showing pop in his bat, in the chances he has gotten in recent days.

“I’m just going out here and playing hard. They’ve given me an opportunity and I put my time in, put my work in. Just go out, have fun and play hard.”

On Saturday night, Andino had three of the O’s seven hits off CC Sabathia with a single, double and homer.

Needing a triple for the cycle, he came up in the 8th vs. Joba Chamberlain and flied to center. Still, he’ll take a 3 for 4 night.

“Of course, CC, not too many people get three hits off CC. It’s a blessing, but we came up with an L, so I mean, to me, it doesn’t matter.”

Andino has started five of the last six O’s games, making appearances at second, short and third. He has started at third base in two games in this series.

“I’m getting comfortable there. I’m working on my jumps off the bat. You’ve got to react more than at short and second. Getting there little by little. Trying to do the best I can with it.

“Everybody wants to play. It’s a blessing, as I said. Give me an opportunity and I’ll go out and play hard,” Andino said.

He is 4 for 7 with two solo homers and a double in this series and over those last five starts, is 8 for 22. Five of his eight O’s hits have gone for extra bases with three doubles and two homers.