Mike Gonzalez walked the first batter he faced on four pitches, and Don Kelly smacked a two-run homer to give Detroit the lead. But Robert Andino hit a two-run shot off the batters eye in center in the bottom of the seventh. Orioles 9, Tigers 8. Andino connected off Ryan Perry for his second homer (three if you count the first intrasquad game.) Brad Bergesen said he was "out of whack" today. "That was very evident," he said. "I never really felt like I got in a groove. Just started...

Brad Bergesen is expected to pitch the opener at Camden Yards on April 9. It would be nice if a different Brad Bergesen showed up. Bergesen was charged with six runs in five innings to raise his ERA to 5.59. He allowed five hits, walked four, struck out three and surrendered three home runs. Bergesen threw 93 pitches, 52 for strikes. I'll go downstairs and talk to Bergesen after he's done running. Maybe he can explain what happened. Bergesen got in a groove for a while, retiring 10 of...

Miguel Cabrera has just destroyed another pitch from Brad Bergesen, this time homering over the batters eye in center field. We're assuming that the ball landed on the other side, but it still might be in the air. Detroit 6, Orioles 4. Cabrera stood at home plate and admired his work in the first inning, but center fielder Adam Jones struck the pose on the second home run. Jones just turned around and watched the flight of the ball. He remained in the same position, with his back to the...

Brad Bergesen has retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced. Bergesen allowed a one-out double to Austin Jackson in the second ining, but he struck out Johnny Damon and retired Magglio Ordonez on a sharp grounder to the mound. He threw 16 pitches, 10 for strikes. Miguel Cabrera, who launched a pitch into the parking lot beyond the left field fence in his first at-bat, grounded an 0-2 pitch to short in the third inning. Carlos Guillen struck out and Brandon Inge grounded to...

...you missed Brad Bergesen giving up four runs without recording an out. Bergesen walked the first two batters. Maggio Ordonez followed with a two-run double to deep center field, and Miguel Cabrera launched a monstrous two-run homer to left. Cabrera posed at home plate before finally breaking into his trot. File that one away for his next at-bat. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz has gone to the mound with the count 2-0 on Carlos Guillen and still nobody out. Bergesen has thrown 21...

The Orioles will announce the full round of roster cuts later today, but Chris Tillman holds the biggest name in a bunch that also includes infielders Justin Turner and Scott Moore. So there's no confusion, some players will remain in the major league camp despite being assigned to the minor league side. Simon, for example, is scheduled to start on Friday against the Yankees. Tillman was expected to be the No. 5 starter, but that assignment goes to David Hernandez. "I could kind of see it...

The Orioles will make more roster cuts after batting practice. Manager Dave Trembley won't be available to the media before the game because he has important business to conduct. The current roster stands at 38 with Joey Gathright's addition. Update: Chris Tillman, Alfredo Simon, Alberto Castillo, Ross Wolf, Jeff Salazar, and Adam Donachie will be included in the cuts. I'll have quotes from Tillman in my next entry.

We expect to find out about the starting rotation later today, but we're not sure whether manager Dave Trembley will unveil his 25-man roster. He'll probably make us wait a little longer, but it's pretty clear that Craig Tatum has beaten out Chad Moeller for the backup catching job. That was one of the few competitions in camp, and Moeller was the clear favorite when he arrived. So what happened? The Orioles apparently fell in love with Tatum's arm. They already loved Moeller's head -...

David Hernandez was supposed to pitch on Friday, but he's flying to California after tomorrow's workout to attend his grandmother's funeral. He'll follow Brian Matusz to the mound on Saturday. We're expecting to be told later today that Hernandez is the No. 5 starter. And Craig Tatum is looking like the choice as the backup catcher. Make that two surprises this spring. Nolan Reimold met with manager Dave Trembley this morning and was told not to read too much into the Opening Day...

The Orioles have signed outfielder Joey Gathright toa minor league contract and invited him to spring training. He's expected to report later today. Seems a little late, doesn't it? The Blue Jays released Gathright over the weekend. He'll provide depth for the Orioles at Triple-A Norfolk, where Lou Montanez and Jeff Salazar also are expected to play the outfield. Maybe we can talk him into jumping over cars in the players parking lot. Jason Berken will start tomorrow's game against the...