Brandon Erbe is 0-10 with a 5.73 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk after today's 5-1 loss to Toledo. Erbe allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits in five innings, and was removed after 88 pitches (59 strikes). Jim Miller threw two scoreless innings, striking out three, but Toledo's Casper Wells hit a three-run homer off Dennis Sarfate in the ninth. Josh Bell was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Jeff Salazar had two hits. Single-A Frederick's Ryan O'Shea also allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits in...

Win two in a row? It's been a long time coming for these 2010 Orioles. Win a road series? That hasn't happened all year. Couldn't do it today either at San Diego. I thought with a 4-0 lead and Jake Arrieta on the mound, maybe, but........ Since winning three in a row vs. Seattle and Cleveland from May 12-14, the Orioles have not been able to win even two in a row. Here is what happened after each recent win: 5-18: Beat KC 4-3 in 11 innings, then lost two in a row. 5-21: Win 5-3 at...

Remember when the Orioles had a 4-0 lead in the first inning? I should have taken pictures. They forgot about the other eight innings. The bats are back in the rack. Jon Garland has retired 14 in a row as we head to the bottom of the sixth. Mark Hendrickson gave up a run in the fifth to increase the Padres' lead to 7-4. Hendrickson has allowed eight runs and 10 hits in his last three appearances totaling 3 2/3 innings, and 11 runs and 14 hits in his last five games totaling 6 2/3 innings....

Jake Arrieta's third major league start isn't going as smoothly as the first two. Not even close. Arrieta isn't commanding his fastball, resulting in six runs (five earned) and three walks in three innings. That 4-0 lead is a distant memory. Luke Scott made a great catch in foul territory to rob Scott Hairston, almost flipping over into the camera well, but his error on Jerry Hairston's ground ball allowed Will Venable to score. Far worse was Venable's three-run homer with two outs in...

Matt Wieters began today with only two RBIs since May 27, but he collected three with a bases-loaded double in the first inning that increased the Orioles' lead to 4-0. Wieters hadn't finished a game with three RBIs since May 1 against Boston. He was mired in a 3-for-34 slump, but the Orioles haven't discussed sending him down to Triple-A Norfolk. He's in the lineup again because they didn't have a late game last night, compared to most Saturdays, and interim manager Juan Samuel thinks...

It was for sure a pleasant sight to see Matt Wieters rip a three-run double to left center to give the Orioles a 4-0 lead after a half inning at San Diego. Wieters began today hitless in his last 13 at bats and with just one hit over his last 22 at bats as his average dipped to .222 and some fans were calling for him to be sent back to Triple-A. Maybe that one swing, having come in a real clutch, two-out, bases loaded situation, can get him going. Wieters had just 3 RBI over his previous 19...

For the Orioles: LF Corey Patterson 3B Miguel Tejada RF Nick Markakis 2B Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott CF Adam Jones C Matt Wieters SS Cesar Izturis RHP Jake Arrieta For the Padres: CF Tony Gwynn 2B David Eckstein 1B Adrian Gonzalez C Nick Hundley LF Scott Hairston RF Will Venable SS Jerry Hairston Jr. 3B Lance Zawadzki RHP Jon Garland A victory today would make Arrieta the first Orioles starter in club history to win his first three outings. Ben McDonald won his first five starts, but made...

The Orioles top pick in last June's draft, right-hander Matt Hobgood has not pitched for the Delmarva Shorebirds since June 11, but is expected to make his next start when the Shorebirds season resumes later this coming week after the upcoming All-Star break. Hobgood was skipped one turn due to slight shoulder soreness that is not believed to be anything more serious than that. When the Shorebirds reset their rotation after the All-Star break, the 19-year-old hurler is expected to be in...

I was scrolling through Triple-A Norfolk's game notes, which were e-mailed early this morning, when I spotted this line: Brandon Snyder was placed on the disabled list yesterday, retroactive to June 18, with a right shoulder strain and Joey Gathright was activated from the DL (lower back strain). Snyder was hitting .311 in his last 36 games. By the way, the Tides list their next four starters after today as TBA. Brad Bergesen could get the ball tomorrow on short rest after throwing 65...

Harrisburg Senators left-handed starter Ross Detwiler had another positive start as he continues rehab from a right hip injury. But he told me there is still some work he wants to improve on. Detwiler went 4 innings, scattering six hits, allowing no earned runs, 1 walk and two strikeouts against Bowie Friday night. He has a 1.17 ERA through two starts, 8 strikeouts, 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings. "I felt better than my last outing," Detwiler said. "My changeup was working well. I am getting a...