When I was hosting a radio sports show about a week ago on 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore, a caller came on to say how mediocre he thought Jeremy Guthrie was and that his lack of wins proved that fact. Guthrie went 11-14 with an ERA of 3.83 over 32 starts in 2010. My argument was then, and often is about starting pitchers, that the win category is pretty much the last stat you should look at to rate a pitcher. It is one stat almost out of their control. What if the team doesn't score any runs...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Have yourself a day, Nick Green. Green, who was 3-for-27 with two RBIs and 13 strikeouts before today, lined a two-out, two-run single into center field in the ninth inning to give the Orioles a 9-8 victory over the Rays. Mike Ballard threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up the win. Brendan Harris and Xavier Avery singled, and Josh Bell walked to load the bases for Green. Manager Buck Showalter did the usual drill after the game, meeting with reporters on the field...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Brad Bergesen spoke to reporters in the visiting clubhouse after allowing two runs and eight hits, with one walk, over five innings. "I was much more pleased with how I worked my fastball," he said. "More down in the zone. When I was missing, I was missing down rather than up, right over the plate. That was positive. The slider wasn't there for me. Need to work on it. I talked to Goose (Mark Connor) afterward and there are a couple adjustments we want to make with...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts confirmed that his next start will come Tuesday against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Roberts won't play in tomorrow's minor league games after going 0-for-2 with a walk and strikeout this afternoon. Roberts hadn't been in the lineup since March 7, also against the Yankees. "Better than sitting on the sidelines," he said. "It was a beautiful day, good atmosphere. It was fun to get out there and play." Roberts...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Brian Roberts is 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. He's seen 10 pitches and swung at one, resulting in a ground ball to first base that ended the top of the fifth inning. Brendan Harris was ready to replace him in the field in the bottom of the fifth, but Roberts motioned that he wanted to stay in the game. And he did. Brad Bergesen allowed two runs and eight hits in five innings, throwing 50 of his 74 pitches for strikes. He walked one batter, Evan Longoria with...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Going into today's game against the Rays, Brad Bergesen had allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 16 hits, with five walks, in his last three starts covering 9 2/3 innings. He isn't assured of a spot in the rotation, so this outing is important. Evan Longoria singled with two outs in the first inning, but Adam Jones cut him down at second base. Bergesen threw eight pitches, five for strikes. Bergesen ran the count full to Manny Ramirez leading off the second before...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Now I remember this place. We were in the press box here last spring when news broke about the Orioles trading for utility infielder Julio Lugo. Later that morning, catcher Chad Moeller refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and became a free agent. Just another boring day at spring training. Brian Roberts is taking batting practice as I type this blog entry. No sign of Derrek Lee, however. Evan Longoria is looking for his cap. For the Rays: Ben Zobrist...

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's always something. First baseman Derrek Lee fouled a ball off his left foot on the first pitch he saw yesterday from Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels. It didn't start bothering him until he left the ballpark, and he underwent X-rays last night and an MRI at 8 a.m. today that came back clean. Lee was sent for the MRI after one area of the X-ray concerned the doctor, according to manager Buck Showalter. "We dodged a bullet there, it looks like," Showalter said. Lee...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is starting today for the first time since March 7, but Derrek Lee isn't in the lineup. We'll find out why later. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie LF Jake Fox 1B J.J. Hardy SS Craig Tatum C Brad Bergesen RHP

SARASOTA, Fla. - Koji Uehara will pitch Tuesday in a minor league game after having another successful bullpen session earlier today. Uehara has made one appearance this spring, allowing one run and two hits in one inning against the Pirates in the Feb. 28 exhibition opener in Bradenton. The Orioles reassigned pitcher Wynn Pelzer following today's game, reducing their camp roster to 40. The Phillies scored twice off left-hander Michael Gonzalez in the seventh, including Erik Kratz's...