After a slow start in his rookie season at Triple-A Norfolk, right-hander Brandon Erbe is starting to pitch much better. Thursday afternoon he pitched seven shutout innings of four-hit ball vs. Syracuse. He walked one with six strikeouts. On May 2nd, Erbe allowed just one run, then had a start where he gave up six runs followed by today's outing. Erbe in 2010 at Norfolk: First four starts: 8.35 ERA and .342 opponent batting average Last three starts: 3.37 ERA and .225 opponents batting...

Every game seems to bring a press box debate, or at least a quiet discussion in the interview room before manager Dave Trembley takes a seat behind the microphone. Since I'm not ready to let go of today's victory, I'll pass along how we talked about Seattle third base coach Mike Brumley's decision to send Josh Wilson with two outs in the top of the ninth inning. Left fielder Corey Patterson scooped up Ichiro Suzuki's single and fired the ball to the plate, where catcher Matt Wieters...

I just spoke with an Orioles official with some clarity on Jim Johnson's examination today. The Orioles continue to classify Johnson's injury as a sprained ligament in his right elbow following the reliever's visit with Dr. James Andrews. They say the exam didn't reveal anything new. Johnson will spend the next four weeks at the minor league complex in Sarasota. Team officials don't anticipate that Johnson will require surgery. When I asked one official whether Johnson has a slight...

Sometimes to make a game-winning play you have to be prepared for it before it happens. That was the case today for O's left fielder Corey Patterson. In just his second game with the team, he threw out Josh Wilson at the plate on Ichiro Suzuki's single to end the game as the Orioles beat Seattle 6-5. Corey Patterson gets a pie in the face after throwing out the potential game-tying run at the plate "With Ichiro up I knew he had more power to his pull side. Anything he hits opposite...

The Orioles entered today with a record of 0-19 this year when trailing after seven innings. After scoring just one run over seven today vs. Felix Hernandez, and behind 5-1, the O's came to bat in the 8th this afternoon vs. Seattle righty Brandon League. League got a save here Tuesday and had not allowed an earned run over his last six games. But Luke Scott came up with the bases loaded and one out with the O's now down 5-2 after a Corey Patterson homer. His drive on the first pitch...

I'll pass on the obvious joke here. You're welcome. Luke Scott gave the Orioles a 6-5 lead with a grand slam in the eighth inning. Corey Patterson began the rally with a home run and ended the game with his throw to the plate. Catcher Matt Wieters made a tremendous tag, blocking the plate while reaching far to his right for the ball. Dave Trembley talks about the O's dramatic 6-5 win over the Mariners That's the obvious stuff. Now for the little things. Did anyone notice how Nick...

Luke Scott's second career Grand Slam in the last of the 8th has just given the Orioles a 6-5 lead on Seattle. Scott drilled a Brandon League offering to left center and left fielder Michael Saunders leaped at the wall, but it appeared that a fan had the ball glance off his hands as Saunders stretched his glove out, over the wall, trying to make what would have been a remarkable catch. Maybe during that 2-16 run, that ball is caught. Was it a reverse Jeffrey Maier? Well, it apparently was...

Luke Scott swung at the first pitch from reliever Brandon League with the bases loaded in the eighth and destroyed Seattle's 5-2 lead. Scott hit his second career grand slam, and the first by an Oriole since Michael Aubrey on Oct. 2. If only he could have enjoyed the trip around the bases from the first few steps. Scott pumped his fist in the air and shouted with joy as he rounded first, but Ty Wigginton began to wave him back to the bag, thinking the ball was still in play. Left...

Kevin Millwood and David Hernandez could have a conversation after today's game about lack of run support. Maybe they can vent to each other. Sure, some balls were hit hard off Millwood today as he allowed three homers, but one day, hopefully before say, the All-Star break, the Orioles will score some runs when he pitches. He has received just 17 runs of offense in his first seven starts with just 12 runs scoring while he was in the game. Millwood was 0-1, 2.14 in three starts this year at...

Ichiro Suzuki, Mike Sweeney and Michael Saunders had combined for one home run in 185 at-bats before today's game. They each took Kevin Millwood deep in the right-hander's 6 2/3 innings. That'll leave a mark. Saunders raised his season's total to two and knocked out Millwood, who has been replaced by Mark Hendrickson with the Orioles trailing, 5-1. Suzuki was a lifetime .394 hitter vs. Millwood before today, including one home run in 71 at-bats. Millwood has surrendered 10 homers this...