As good as Brian Matusz has been for most of this year, there is one trend when he pitches that needs some improving on his part. With each succeeding plate appearance during the game, opponent batters hit Matusz better according to stats posted at baseball-reference.com That can and does happen to many pitchers, but it is something worth noting about Matusz and Dave Trembley has taken note of it, too. "I think his curveball could get better. He relies on his changeup a lot. If he...

When I posted earlier that Rhyne Hughes hit outdoors before batting practice, you probably thought, "Good idea." Hughes isn't in the lineup tonight against a right-hander, which tells you how much he's struggling. He's 5-for-31 with one RBI and 14 strikeouts in his last 10 games, lowering his average to .213 after a scorching start with the Orioles. Welcome to The Show. What is manager Dave Trembley seeing from Hughes? "Swinging and missing too much," he replied. Fortunately, he...

Brian Roberts played catch yesterday. He played catch and took ground balls today. That qualifies as baby steps, but at least he's moving forward. "I am encouraged," manager Dave Trembley said. "He's felt better, but he's got a ways to go yet." Trembley expects Roberts to start hitting off a tee as the next step. Reliever Mike Gonzalez had a side session in Sarasota today (say that three times fast). He threw 30 pitches. That's the first time he's stepped on a mound since...

Brian Roberts played catch with third base coach Juan Samuel while a few Orioles - including Rhyne Hughes, Adam Jones and Luke Scott - took early batting practice. Now he's fielding ground balls. That counts as baseball-related activities. For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 2B Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins 1B Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Indians: Cabrera SS Grudzielanek 2B Choo RF Kearns LF Hafner...

Nolan Reimold, starting in left field today for Triple-A Norfolk, is 0-for-3 with a strikeout. The Tides trail Buffalo, 4-0, in the bottom of the eighth inning. Michael Aubrey is 1-for-3 as the designated hitter, leaving his average at .256. Rhyne Hughes might want to keep an eye on him. Jake Arrieta allowed four runs and five hits over six innings, with four walks and three strikeouts. He surrendered two home runs. Arrieta threw 98 pitches, 57 for strikes. Dennis Sarfate has thrown 1 2/3...

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...