Here is an interesting question. Are the Orioles open to using Jake Arrieta in the bullpen in Baltimore? Don't take it to the bank that it could be the O's plan for the hard-throwing right-hander, but Dave Trembley at least opened the door to that possibility today. There was a time many years ago that pitchers like Mike Flanagan and Scott McGregor came to the Majors and learned the ropes out of the bullpen first, before gaining a starting berth. In talking with the skipper today about...

Orioles reliever Mike Gonzalez began his throwing progression program yesterday in Sarasota by playing catch from 60 feet. Gonzalez will increase the distance to 90 and 120 feet before moving to the bullpen. If his arm holds up, he'll eventually throw batting practice. We're probably looking at three weeks for Gonzalez to get through this stretch. And he'll have to go on an injury rehab assignment in the minors. Shameless plug alert: I'm appearing on O's Xtra today, and I did an...

Brian Roberts still doesn't have a timetable for beginning baseball activities and returning to the lineup. The discomfort in his lower back has subsided considerably and he remains convinced that he'll play this season, but he can't even provide an approximate date. "We're just continuing to do some physical therapy," he said. "Other than that, we're just waiting for it to get better.' Roberts said it's conceivable that he could miss the first half of the season. "I wish I could...

For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 2B Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Nolan Reimold LF Rhyne Hughes 1B Craig Tatum C Julio Lugo SS Kevin Millwood RHP For the Red Sox: Scutaro SS Pedroia 2B Drew RF Youkilis 1B Ortiz DH Lowell 3B Varitek C McDonald LF Van Every CF Beckett RHP

Well, the O's and their fans have had some fun at Camden Yards this weekend. The O's wins this weekend vs. Boston (2) matches their win total of all last year vs. Boston (2-16). Here are more notes on the homers and the win: The Birds scored a season-high 12 runs in the 12-9 win over Boston and they hit five homers in the game. The O's had their best night of the year batting with runners in scoring positon, going 5 for 7 (.714) in those situations. They left just one runner on base in...

Some clubhouse quotes after the Orioles 12-9 win Saturday night over Boston. It's the O's first series win of the year after going 0 and 7. The O's now lead the season series, 3-2 vs. Boston and have won three in a row vs. the Sox for the first time since September 2, 2005. The teams combined for nine homers and it's the 12th time in O's history the team and its opponent combined for eight or more homers in a game. Miguel Tejada on the O's offense breaking out: "It's big. We got...

Opening statement: "I was talking to Bergesen before I came in and he said that was the ugliest win he's ever got, but it felt the best that he's ever felt, so he'll take it. Putting a zero up in the fifth was the key for him. Obviously, a lot of fight in our team tonight. Offensively, got some big hits and a comeback win." Dave Trembley talks with the media after the O's 12-9 win over the Red Sox On crucial play by Miguel Tejada to end the fifth: "The play of the game that turned it...

The O's offense exploded for ten runs over the 5th and 6th innings tonight, and, on an evening where the teams combined for nine homers, the Orioles took an 11-4 lead and won it, 12-9 over Boston in front of 35,164. The Birds are now 4-4 in this 12-game stretch vs. Boston and New York. The Orioles are now 3-2 on the year vs. Boston after going 2-16 vs. the Sox last season. Tonight's five O's homers is two off the club single-game record of seven. The most homers ever by the O's in a...

Matt Hobgood allowed one run and four hits in six innings tonight for Single-A Delmarva, lowering his ERA to 3.90. He walked three and struck out four. Troy Patton allowed one run and five hits in seven innings at Triple-A Norfolk, walking none and striking out four. He threw 100 pitches, 64 for strikes. Robbie Widlansky hit his first home run tonight for Double-A Bowie. Pasadena native Chorye Spoone allowed four runs (three earned) and seven hits in four innings. He walked two, struck out...

Red Sox manager Terry Francona must have known what was coming if he went to his bullpen. I'll never doubt him again. The Orioles cracked Tim Wakefield's knuckler. They scored four runs off him in the sixth, the last three coming on Nick Markakis' shot onto the flag court in right. Ty Wigginton got the sixth-inning party started (did I already use that line?) with his second home run of the night. I keep checking the scoreboard to make sure my eyes aren't failing me. Orioles 11,...