masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgTonight’s attendance: 12,451

Brad Bergesen hadn’t pitched in a game since going two innings against a collection of minor leaguers on March 30. He hadn’t faced major league hitters since March 25, and he threw only four pitches before Denard Span’s line drive slammed off his right forearm.

The layoff probably didn’t do him any favors tonight.

“I mean, it is tough, but (I’m) definitely not going to sit here and use it as an excuse,” he said after allowing four runs (two earned) and…Tonight’s attendance: 12,451

Brad Bergesen hadn’t pitched in a game since going two innings against a collection of minor leaguers on March 30. He hadn’t faced major league hitters since March 25, and he threw only four pitches before Denard Span’s line drive slammed off his right forearm.

The layoff probably didn’t do him any favors tonight.

“I mean, it is tough, but (I’m) definitely not going to sit here and use it as an excuse,” he said after allowing four runs (two earned) and five hits, with two walks and two strikeouts, in 3 2/3 innings. “Definitely going to put this one behind me, get into a routine and pick it up from here.

“It was tough. I just never seemed to get into any type of groove tonight. There were only a couple under four-pitch outs I had. It seemed like I went full count on almost everyone or deep counts today, so that part really hurt. My pitch count got really high there, so I don’t know what I finished with, but that part I am really unhappy with.”

Brad Bergesen talks about his rough outing in the Birds’ 7-3 loss to Detroit

Asked why he couldn’t get in a groove, Bergesen said, “I don’t think it was anything that they were doing at the plate. I just felt like I was rushing myself. Rushing mechanically, pulling off some pitches, wasn’t staying through. I think that was very evident (with) where my pitches were tonight. I was missing up a lot. That’s kind of the big key for me.”

Derrek Lee hit his first home run as an Oriole, and it broke up Justin Verlander’s no-hit bid in the fourth.

“He throws hard, so I was just looking fastball and got one out over the plate,” Lee said.

“It felt good to square up to the ball and get it over the fence, but it’s kind of a moot point when you lose the game.”

And finally, here’s one from Mark Reynolds, who talks about Verlander:

“He’s one of the best pitchers in the league and we ran into him tonight. He pitched well, threw all of his pitches for strikes, and you’re just going to have those nights.

“I don’t think there’s been any teams to go 162-0, right? So we’ll just come back tomorrow and get ready to go and hopefully get out of here with a series win.”