masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBrad Bergesen will make his first start for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Alfredo Simon is moving to the bullpen.

Check Steve Melewski’s blog for his interview with Tides pitching coach Mike Griffin, who discusses Bergesen, Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman.

I wondered whether Brandon Erbe was in danger of losing his rotation spot. He gave up five runs and seven hits over five innings today in an 8-3 loss to Gwinnett, and is 0-3 with a 7.98 ERA in three starts. He’s never pitched above Double-A…Brad Bergesen will make his first start for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Alfredo Simon is moving to the bullpen.

Check Steve Melewski’s blog for his interview with Tides pitching coach Mike Griffin, who discusses Bergesen, Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman.

I wondered whether Brandon Erbe was in danger of losing his rotation spot. He gave up five runs and seven hits over five innings today in an 8-3 loss to Gwinnett, and is 0-3 with a 7.98 ERA in three starts. He’s never pitched above Double-A until this season.

Adam Jones inadvertently became the most interesting part of last night’s Orioles-Mariners game, spicing it up with some drama after he tripped coming out of the batters box and appeared to sustain an injury.

Jones’ right hand came down on the bat as he tried to break his fall. He stayed in the game, but the MASN cameras kept showing him flexing the hand and rubbing his bicep and elbow. His face was twisted in pain during one shot.

Approached by reporters after the game, Jones insisted that he was fine despite all the attention given to him. And he’s saying the same thing today. He expects to remain in the lineup.

Jones’ average could use some fixing. He’s 0-for-12 in his last three games and 3-for-26 in his last six, and is batting .203 heading into tomorrow night’s game at Fenway Park. He’s sitting on one home run and two RBIs.

Jones is 3-for-25 (.120) with one run, one walk and six strikeouts in six games in the leadoff spot. Lou Montanez, with two hits last night, appears to be the better option.

Going back to Norfolk, Rhyne Hughes and Jeff Salazar each homered today. Hughes is batting .375 with three homers and 11 RBIs. Salazar is batting .333 with three homers and nine RBIs.

Josh Bell went 2-for-4, leaving his average at .236. He also committed his sixth error.