Delmarva Shorebirds right-hander Matt Hobgood is getting better with each start. After allowing three runs in four innings in his first start this season and two runs over 5 2/3 in his second, tonight he pitched seven shutout innings in Delmarva's 1-0, walk-off win over Greensboro. Garabez Rosa led off the last of the ninth with a homer to give the Shorebirds, now 8-5, the victory. Jacob Smith pitched shutout ball over the last two frames and is 3-0. Hobgood, last June's first-round pick,...

Triple-A Norfolk might want to tighten up that defense. The Tides have committed three more errors tonight, including No. 7 for Scott Moore, who continues to struggle with his throws at second base. Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder also have errors tonight, giving them three on the season. Alfredo Simon allowed two runs (one earned) and six hits, with three walks and five strikeouts, in seven innings. He threw 97 pitches, 58 for strikes. Gwinnett leads Norfolk, 2-0, in the eighth. Double-A...

It's no great secret that many Orioles are struggling at the bat right now and have most of the year. With the exceptions of Ty Wigginton (five homers his last seven games) and Nick Markakis (.310 his last seven games), most of the others are in droughts right now. Here's a rundown: Garrett Atkins: Is just 4 for 26 over his last seven 7 games and is 0 for 11 vs. left-handed pitching. Cesar Izturis: 0 RBI his last 10 games. Adam Jones: Has three hits his last 18 at bats and is 0 for 7...

MASN's Amber Theoharis reports that Koji Uehara will throw one inning Thursday in an extended spring training game. Uehara remains on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, and the Orioles can't project when he'll be ready to pitch for them. But I guess this qualifies as progress. Also, Brian Roberts has been cleared to begin light exercises and strengthening activities, and he'll be examined again on Friday by back specialist Dr. Lee Riley at Johns Hopkins. Manager Dave Trembley...

Brad Bergesen just stepped off a plane at BWI and is getting ready to pack up his gear at Camden Yards and head to his next destination: Triple-A Norfolk. Bergesen said he was "a little bit surprised" when manager Dave Trembley and pitching coach Rick Kranitz broke the news following last night's game that he was being optioned after only three starts. "Obviously, I haven't been pitching well, so I knew I needed to turn it around or that was inevitable. But I was surprised by it coming...

For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Ty Wigginton 3B Nick Markakis RF Nolan Reimold DH Luke Scott LF Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins 1B Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS David Hernandez RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki RF Chone Figgins 2B Franklin Gutierrez CF Jose Lopez 3B Ken Griffey Jr. DH Milton Bradley LF Casey Kotchman 1B Adam Moore C Jack Wilson SS Jason Vargas LHP

The Orioles agreed to terms today with outfielder Corey Patterson on a minor league contract. Patterson will report to extended spring training tomorrow. You might remember that Patterson played for the Orioles in 2006 and 2007. He spent the 2008 season with the Reds and appeared in five games with the Nationals and 11 with the Brewers last year. Patterson signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on Dec. 9, but opted out of it on March 31 when told he wouldn't make the team out of...

Former Oriole Ryan Minor has the Delmarva Shorebirds off to a good start in his first year as a pro manager. The Birds, who host Greensboro in Salisbury tonight, are 7-5 and tied for first in the South Atlantic League's Northern division. The Shorebirds have slugged their way to the top so far and lead the SAL with 72 runs scored and 13 homers. Shorebirds players are all over the league leaders at this early stage. Brian Conley leads the league in OBP and is second in batting at .457. ...

Here are your Spanish/English baseball words for week two. It's a pretty random mix this week. The whole class had to learn a few health words, so I added the ones that seemed relevant. Enjoy! arbitration: arbitraje to warm up (one's arm): calentar el brazo sacrifice bunt: toque de sacrificio closer: cerrador free agency: carta de libertad to score: anotar, cruzar el plato to take out the pitcher: sacar del monticulo ice pack: bolsa de hielo tying run: carrera del...

We can probably agree that Jason Berken has been invaluable coming out of the bullpen and consuming innings in long relief. The debate centers on whether he should be rewarded with a spot in the rotation or left alone to thrive in his current role. Berken has allowed two runs and nine hits in 12 innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts. He's held opponents to one run over his last three appearances spanning 9 1/3 innings. You'll recall that Berken lost 12 games as a starter last...