Orioles Notebook: Right-hander Penn gets a second look

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Garrett Olson’s earned-run average in his past four starts is just under 11.

Brian Burres has been less than spectacular.

Radhames Liz looks great against one batter, and overwhelmed the next.

But the issue with the Orioles rotation isn't necessarily within the three pitchers struggling to hold up their end: it’s with the lack of viable replacements in the minor leagues.

Enter Hayden Penn, who went seven innings in defeat, scattering eight hits and two earned runs for Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

“One time doesn’t get him a plane ticket here,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “It puts him back on the radar is what it does. We’ll follow him a little more closely and we’ll be anxious to see if he can repeat it.”

Penn, 23, is 4-6 with a 5.17 ERA in 18 starts with Norfolk. He’s 3-6 with a 9.31 ERA in 14 career games with the Orioles, but might earn a third tour of duty in the big leagues should the Orioles’ starters continue to struggle.

Trembley didn’t hesitate to lump right-hander Daniel Cabrera into the discussion of struggling starters.

“Olson, Liz, Burres and Daniel, they’ve just got to pitch better,” Trembley said. “They should be able to do better. They’re not Sandy Koufax or Don Drysdale, but they're not A-ball pitchers either.”

WALKER LIT UP AT BOWIE

Left-handed reliever Jamie Walker made his first rehab appearance Thursday, throwing one inning for Double-A Bowie.

It wasn't pretty.

Walker entered in the seventh inning and allowed three runs on five hits, including a home run.

Walker has been out since June 26 with left elbow inflammation. He threw a side session Wednesday, a day after throwing about 25 pitches during batting practice.

“[Pitching coach Rick] Kranitz is a very big proponent of let's see how they feel the day after,” Trembley said. “We'll see how he feels the day after and we'll go from there.”

Shortstop Alex Cintron (hamstring) went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout as the Baysox shortstop in his first game in a rehab stint on Thursday. Cintron is expected to play five games in a 10-day stretch with both Bowie and Single-A Frederick.

swelsh@baltimoreexaminer.com

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