masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgJason Berken made his fourth start for Triple-A Norfolk today, going five innings and leaving with the Tides trailing Pawtucket, 2-1.

The Orioles want to stretch out Berken, and he cooperated by throwing 93 pitches today. However, I’m sure they want him going deeper into the games.

Berken allowed two runs and six hits, with two walks and five strikeouts. He threw 56 strikes among his 93 pitches before left-hander Mark Hendrickson replaced him.

Berken threw 84 pitches over 5 2/3 innings in…Jason Berken made his fourth start for Triple-A Norfolk today, going five innings and leaving with the Tides trailing Pawtucket, 2-1.

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The Orioles want to stretch out Berken, and he cooperated by throwing 93 pitches today. However, I’m sure they want him going deeper into the games.

Berken allowed two runs and six hits, with two walks and five strikeouts. He threw 56 strikes among his 93 pitches before left-hander Mark Hendrickson replaced him.

Berken threw 84 pitches over 5 2/3 innings in his last start. Overall, he’s allowed seven runs and 19 hits in 16 1/3 innings, with seven walks and 15 strikeouts.

Before being optioned, Berken was 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA in 15 relief appearances with the Orioles.

Rhyne Hughes is playing first base today for the Tides, with Brandon Snyder serving as the designated hitter. I could make the assumption that Snyder is being recalled tomorrow and Hughes is going to make three more starts at first.

The Orioles aren’t announcing a roster move today.

Update: The Orioles officially placed first baseman Derrek Lee on the bereavement list. He’s expected to miss all three games of the Tampa Bay series that begins tomorrow night at Camden Yards.