Brandon Inge hit a two-run homer during a four-run second inning that gave Detroit an early lead. The Tigers went on to a 7-3 win over the Orioles Thursday afternoon, to take three of four in the series. O's right-hander David Hernandez, who had pitched to an ERA of 2.70 over his last five starts, today lasted just three innings. He gave up seven hits and five runs. Hernandez had allowed six runs total over his last four starts. He is now 3-4, 3.96. The O's scored on a Felix Pie RBI...

David Hernandez pitched so well at New York and Boston, but today lasted just three innings at Detroit. He gave up seven hits and five runs and is now 3-4, 3.96. Hernandez threw just 81 pitches, ending a run of six straight starts with 100 or more pitches. He had pitched to an ERA of 2.70 in his five starts before today. The Orioles are now 4-5 in Hernandez starts this year. The Tigers win the season series, 5 wins to 3. The O's are now 12-12 vs. the AL Central and are 17-15 at Comerica...

How close is Drew Storen to the Majors? It seems to be the other most common question when people talk about Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen. Both had very good Arizona Fall League performances and both are Top 10 Nationals picks from 2009. P-Nats pitching coach Paul Menhart had the most recent look at Storen in Arizona and told me, "Drew has already had his inaugural minor league freshman year (which makes it a little different experience than what Stephen went through). "He showed...

The pitching staff belongs to Matt Wieters. That's what we were told while given the explanation for Chad Moeller losing his job as the Orioles' backup catcher. Moeller wasn't needed to mentor the staff. Wieters is in control. He owns it. And he has the receipt in his wallet if you don't believe him. With these words still swimming in my head, I watched Wieters go to the mound twice last night in the fourth inning, as the Rays mounted a rally that produced one run, but could have busted...

Nationals pitcher Tyler Walker has bounced back from a slow start to spring training. He put his latest resurgence on display Wednesday night during the Phillies 8-4 win. Walker retired six consecutive Phillies hitters in the 5th and 6th innings. During that run he prevented the Phils from tacking on to a 6-3 advantage. The line was impressive: 2 innings, no hits, no runs, no walks and three strikeouts of Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins. Shortstop Ian Desmond started his...

The Orioles, who went 17-22 in one-run games last year, have dropped two close ones to start the 2010 season after Wednesday's second straight, 4-3 loss vs. Tampa. Evan Longoria's solo homer in the 8th gave the Rays a 4-2 lead and insurance that offset a Garrett Atkins RBI double in the 9th. Longoria's two-run double in the 5th put Tampa ahead 3-2. The RISP stat tonight: The Orioles were 1 for 12 batting with runners in scoring position Tuesday and Wednesday were just a little better at...

Orioles manager Dave Trembley was encouraged by Jeremy Guthrie's outing tonight. Very encouraged. "The story for us is the way Guthrie pitched," Trembley said. "That's Guthrie of 2008 right there. He pitched a great game. Located, pitched down, was aggressive with his pitches. You liked the way he pitched and he'll win a lot of games if he continues to go out there like that. "If you see his arm angle, his arm angle is back to the way it was in 2008. If you saw him last year, he was...

Nolan Reimold said he didn't have a chance to catch Evan Longoria's fly ball that fell in left-center field for a crucial two-run double in the fifth. "It was placed pretty well," he said. "It was like 10 feet out of my reach or so, five or 10 feet, somewhere in there. It was just hit in one of those spots. Tough to get to." Reimold said he felt fine running on the turf. "Nothing unexpected," he said. He did concede that he lacks that initial burst since undergoing surgery on his...

Reliever Jim Johnson wasn't available tonight because of some tightness in his right arm. "He told me before the game," manager Dave Trembley said. Cla Meredith replaced Will Ohman in the bottom of the eighth and gave up Evan Longoria's home run on his second pitch. Johnson retired the side in order last night, plowing through the heart of the Rays' order and handing a one-run lead to closer Mike Gonzalez. I'll check on his availability tomorrow. He was missed tonight.

You can't complain about manager Dave Trembley not using his bench tonight. Felix Pie pinch-ran for Garrett Atkins, whose double with one out in the ninth scored Matt Wieters to reduce Tampa Bay's lead to 4-3. Ty Wigginton pinch-hit for the next batter, Cesar Izturis, and grounded to short. Brian Roberts flied out on the first pitch he saw from closer Rafael Soriano. Another tough loss, though not quite as big a kick in the gut as last night's ending. Here are the RSS links that a few...