Livan Hernandez and Ubaldo Jimenez did not disappoint, dueling into the late innings, as the Colorado Rockies blew open a close game with three runs in the eighth Saturday afternoon, downing the Washington Nationals 6-2 in the first game of a doubleheader from Coors Field in Denver. Unfortunately for the Nats, most will remember Brian Bruney's struggles in the Rockies last at bat. Ian Stewart's RBI double off of Bruney, followed by Clint Barmes 2-run single, turned a tight 3-2 Colorado lead...

Hank Blalock suddenly has become a hot commodity, at least judging by some comments on this blog. Thanks to JDB for directing me to this link, which explains how the Rays are calling up Blalock from Triple-A Durham and how he could have exercised his opt-out clause. Blalock, the former Texas Ranger who garnered little interest on the free-agent market, will replace Pat Burrell. I'm not slamming Blalock, and I was intrigued by him over the winter as the Orioles figured to let the first base...

*That even though the Orioles offense has produced 19 runs over the last three games, several players are currently in or have recently been in RBI droughts. Atkins - Just 1 RBI his last 17 games Markakis: Has 0 RBI his last 6 games and 3 in 12 games Scott: Had just 2 RBI in a recent 10-game stretch, but now has 7 RBI the last three games. Tejada - Recently went 10 games without an RBI, but now has 5 over the last three games. Wieters: Just 1 RBI his last 10 games *The O's bullpen is on...

Adam Jones kept apologizing to Nick Markakis last night after costing the right fielder an RBI by holding at third base on a ground ball to first. Jones could smile about it (I'm not sure about Markakis) because he eventually scored on Luke Scott's single and the Orioles eventually won, but man, the baserunning on this team continues to give me a rash. New season, same issues. Like I keep saying, they work on this stuff in spring training. Every...single...day. Maybe it's like my...

Jeremy Guthrie and Kevin Millwood are coming up big for the Orioles this year. They are providing veteran leadership for the younger pitchers, but just as important, they are eating up innings and carrying the bulk of the load to lessen that load for Matusz, Bergesen and Hernandez. In his last three starts, Millwood has pitched 8, 7 and 6 2/3 innings. Over his last three, Guthrie has thrown 7, 6 2/3 and 8 innings. They are giving the team quality outings as well and have kept their team in...

On a night the O's were 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position in the first five innings, they went 3 for 5 while scoring four in the 6th to beat the Tribe 8-1. They are 3-1 on this homestand and 10-8 over the last 18 games. Here are quotes from four Birds after the game. Jeremy Guthrie on his outing tonight: "Felt good out there. Really was able to keep the fastball down for the most part and get some ground balls, which was good. We made some good plays on defense and the hitters...

So what exactly did manager Dave Trembley say to Jeremy Guthrie after walking to the mound in the eighth inning with two outs, a runner on first base and Grady Sizemore at the plate? "I said, 'You've earned the opportunity to be out here and finish this thing off. I trust you'll give it to me straight. If you're out of gas, tell me. If you want it, go ahead.' And he said, 'I'll get him out,' and I turned around and walked away," Trembley said after tonight's 8-1 victory. "I think...

For the Orioles, it was their most lopsided win of the year. They beat Cleveland 8-1 behind Jeremy Guthrie. Guthrie beat the organization that drafted him in the first round in 2002 and is now 2-0 in two career starts vs. Cleveland. After giving up a first-inning run, he retired 16 batters in a row and on the night gave up just two hits and one run over eight innings. He threw 113 pitches and is now 2-4, 4.13 on the season. He has recorded six quality starts among his eight...

Orioles manager Dave Trembley went to the mound with two outs in the eighth inning. I thought he was taking Jeremy Guthrie with him to the dugout. I'm sure I wasn't alone in that assumption. Trembley stuck with Guthrie, who got the final out and accepted congratulations after his 113th pitch. He allowed one run and two hits, walked one and struck out five. His ERA's down to 4.13. That's beyond impressive. Down on the farm, Single-A Delmarva pounded out 17 hits - with no home runs - in a...

Miguel Tejada drove in another run tonight with an RBI single in the seventh. He is 2 for 4 tonight with 3 RBI. Before tonight, he had just 2 RBI over his last 12 games. He may not have been getting too many chances to plate runners recently, because his average on the year with runners in scoring position is a respectable .294. He now has 18 RBI on the year, four behind team leader Ty Wigginton. Miggy's RBI in 2010: April: 13 in 19 games May: 2 in 12 games (before tonight)