masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgMiguel Tejada passed his physical today in Sarasota and is expected to sign a minor league contract tomorrow and begin workouts at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

Tejada will be evaluated for seven to 10 days before the Orioles decide whether to keep him. He’ll stay at extended spring training.

The Orioles consider Tejada to be a possible defensive upgrade at third base, though it’s unclear how his presence would affect Bill Hall at Triple-A Norfolk or Mark Reynolds here.

As for tonight’s…Miguel Tejada passed his physical today in Sarasota and is expected to sign a minor league contract tomorrow and begin workouts at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

Tejada will be evaluated for seven to 10 days before the Orioles decide whether to keep him. He’ll stay at extended spring training.

The Orioles consider Tejada to be a possible defensive upgrade at third base, though it’s unclear how his presence would affect Bill Hall at Triple-A Norfolk or Mark Reynolds here.

As for tonight’s game, former Orioles first-round pick Brandon Snyder has singled, homered and driven in five runs. His three-run shot in the top of the sixth increased the Rangers’ lead to 7-0 and sent left-hander Brian Matusz to the showers.

Matusz had turned in two straight quality starts, but he was charged with seven runs and 10 hits in five-plus innings tonight, with two walks and four strikeouts. He threw 103 pitches, 64 for strikes, and his ERA rose to 5.91.

Matusz couldn’t get an out in the sixth, allowing three straight singles and the Snyder home run.

Stu Pomeranz replaced Matusz and made his major league debut. He retired the first two batters before Elvis Andrus singled and Josh Hamilton walked. Adrian Beltre flied to right.

The Orioles still have only two hits off Matt Harrison in five innings, both by J.J. Hardy. Reynolds walked in the second inning, giving him five in two games.

Update: Robert Andino homered for the second time in two games to end Harrison’s shutout bid in the sixth.

Rangers 7, Orioles 1

Hardy followed with a double, making him 3-for-3 tonight and giving him eight hits in his last two games.

Update II: Nice major league debut for Pomeranz. He shut out the Rangers on three hits over three innings, with one walk and two strikeouts. He threw 48 pitches, 31 for strikes.

The Orioles cut the Rangers’ lead to 7-3 in the seventh on Wilson Betemit’s two-run homer, but Michael Young hit a two-run shot off Jason Berken in the top of the ninth.

And then it got ugly.

Berken would allow seven runs, but only two were earned.

Nelson Cruz walked and Mark Reynolds committed another throwing error while trying to get the force at second. Snyder followed with his third hit and sixth RBI. He’s having a career night.

Craig Gentry singled to load the bases with no outs. A run scored on a double play, and Elvis Andrus delivered an RBI single.

Just when it appeared that it couldn’t get any worse, Josh Hamilton launched a two-run homer.

Rangers 14, Orioles 3

Tonight’s attendance: 11,938

Not exactly a rousing welcome home after a 5-1 road trip.