The Orioles were 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position today, making them 6-for-35 (.171) in the series. They're batting .217 with RISP this season. The Orioles hit two home runs in nine games on this homestand. Kevin Millwood leads the majors with 19 homers allowed, including three today. Opposing pitchers have made quality starts in 16 of the Orioles' last 17 games. Other than that, how have things been going? "I thought early in that first inning, I don't think (Millwood's)...

Interim manager Juan Samuel made the move official that we anticipated: Brad Bergesen is being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for reliever Alfredo Simon. Bergesen threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings today in relief of Mark Hendrickson. "I think we're doing him a disservice by keeping him in the bullpen," Samuel said. "This is a guy that we think is going to be a starter here for a long time and he just needs to go down there and pitch. Since he's been in the bullpen, he's probably...

The Mets just hung three more runs on the board in the sixth to increase their lead to 10-3. You remember the Mets - the team that hadn't won a road series all year. Kevin Millwood is charged with eight runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed three more home runs, raising his total to 19. Mark Hendrickson replaced him and served up David Wright's second home run of the day. Hendrickson is charged with two runs, raising his ERA to 6.19. He allowed four earned runs in one-third of an...

Stephen Strasburg had to face adversity of a different kind Sunday and pulled through with his second professional victory. Strasburg had trouble with his landing foot on the mound at Progressive Field, the same spot where Indians starter David Huff (2-8) was also landing, Over time, and according to the grounds crew I spoke to, it happens more often during day games because of the humidity, the clay gave way and Strasburg started to slip. Even with those troubles, Strasburg was effective,...

If it makes you feel any better, Adam Jones has hit safely in eight straight games, going 10-for-28 and raising his average to .258. He's hit in 19 of his last 20, going 26-for-75 (.347). Well, I tried. The Orioles trail, 6-3, in the bottom of the fourth. Kevin Millwood has allowed six runs and nine hits, and he's thrown 77 pitches. If it makes you feel any better, he struck out two of the three batters he faced in the fourth. Well, I tried. Scott Moore just reached on an infield hit,...

Since that Kevin Millwood blog worked out so well... Here is a story from today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It discusses the Pirates' decision with the second pick in the draft last Monday night. They had to decide whether to take prep pitcher Jameson Taillon or prep shortstop Manny Machado with their top pick. By now we know they settled on Taillon and the O's got Machado. Here is that story.

Kevin Millwood has taken over the major league lead in home runs allowed with 18, including two today in the first inning. Mets 5, Orioles 0. The Mets sent nine batters to the plate and collected six hits and a walk. Henry Blanco did Millwood a huge favor by bouncing into a double play with runners on the corners, one out and Brad Bergesen warming in the Orioles' bullpen. Millwood has given up 15 runs in the first inning in his last five starts after allowing none in his first nine...

Maybe the lack of run support has started to get him. Maybe he was carrying too heavy of an innings load. Or maybe there is no real explanation. But on May 8th, Kevin Millwood's ERA was 3.26 and it has been on a steady climb up to 4.64 now. Millwood recently: *An ERA of 8.31 over his last three starts. *An ERA of 6.34 over his last six starts. Millwood has won at least nine games over the last eight season, but that zero in the win column can't be good for his outlook or confidence. If...

When he was asked after the game last night about the lack of runs the Orioles have been scoring when he pitches, Brian Matusz could only say "you can't control that." What other answer could he give really without throwing anyone under the bus and, to their credit, no O's starter has even hinted at that this year. But Matusz has seen the O's score just 11 runs while he has been in the game over his last nine starts. He is working with almost no margin for error. Interim manager Juan...

Alfredo Simon will throw another bullpen session today instead of pitching in a simulated game. Simon tested his left hamstring by throwing two bullpen sessions in Sarasota before flying into Baltimore yesterday. "It feels a lot better," he said. "I'm just trying to come back and do what I was doing before, trying to help the team win." Simon could be activated from the disabled list tomorrow, when the Orioles begin their interleague series in San Francisco. "I'm ready," he said....