masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgLeft-hander Michael Gonzalez took an important step in his eventual return to the Orioles, pitching at Double-A Bowie for the second consecutive night.

Gonzalez retired the side in order, striking out one. He also tossed a scoreless inning last night, but he allowed a hit and walked a batter.

Gonzalez, replacing starter Rick Zagone in the seventh inning tonight, recorded two outs on fly balls. I’m told that he relied mostly on his breaking ball against the first two hitters, and his fastball…Left-hander Michael Gonzalez took an important step in his eventual return to the Orioles, pitching at Double-A Bowie for the second consecutive night.

Gonzalez retired the side in order, striking out one. He also tossed a scoreless inning last night, but he allowed a hit and walked a batter.

Gonzalez, replacing starter Rick Zagone in the seventh inning tonight, recorded two outs on fly balls. I’m told that he relied mostly on his breaking ball against the first two hitters, and his fastball topped out at 89 mph on the Prince George’s Stadium radar gun.

Next up: A return to short-season Single-A Aberdeen, where Gonzalez is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday.

Zagone held Trenton to two runs over six innings before Gonzalez replaced him.

Single-A Delmarva’s Steven Bumbry has doubled and homered tonight.