Orioles manager Dave Trembley thinks highly of starting pitcher Radhames Liz, but he likes him better when he throws strikes.

And the 24-year-old right-hander has not done that in recent starts.

The Orioles optioned Liz to Triple-A Norfolk team after Sunday’s game to make room for left-handed reliever Jamie Walker, who was activated from the disabled list.

“Liz needs to have better command,” Trembley said. “He’s thought of highly in the organization. He’s got a great arm, but he’s been scuffling. I’d rather see him get straightened out and get some success in Triple-A and then get himself back here when he is ready.”

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Liz, who was roughed up for six earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in his start on Saturday against Anaheim, has lost three of his past four starts and averaged more than four walks per outing during that span.

Trembley said he expected Liz to stay in the rotation for the rest of the season when he was recalled in early June, but Liz was doomed with his lack of control.

“I think I didn’t use my mind enough maybe, because I¹ve got the stuff to be here,” Liz said. “I think I¹ve got to work on my control a little bit, my breaking pitch. I’m going to be OK.”

Walker, who was touched up for three runs on five hits in a rehab appearance for Double-A Bowie on Thursday, pitched a scoreless inning for Single-A Frederick on Saturday and said he felt good on Sunday.

Walker, who has not pitched since June 25 because of elbow inflammation, said he saw improvement in all his pitches as he retired three of the four Potomac Nationals he faced on Saturday.

Walker set a franchise record for appearances last season, posting a 3.23 ERA in 81 games. But he struggled this year before going on the disabled list.

“It’s always frustrating whenever you get injured,” Walker said. “I have no excuses. I just didn’t make good pitches the first couple of months, but we still got two months to go and you gotta grind it out.”

DAY OFF FOR ROBERTS AND MORA

After second baseman Brian Roberts went 0-for-4 during a loss to Anaheim on Saturday, Trembley gave him the day off on Sunday.

Roberts didn’t argue.

Brandon Fahey got the start at second and hit leadoff against the Angels, as Roberts sat for the third time this season.

Roberts is just 4-for-27 in his past seven games, with just one run scored and no stolen bases.

“He’s been scuffling,” Trembley said. “And I think he needs it.”

Third baseman Melvin Mora also was absent from Sunday’s lineup because of a sore left knee.

Mora was hit by a pitch in the back of his knee by Angels’ pitcher Darren Oliver in the eighth inning on Saturday night.

Mora, who has been one of the team’s hottest hitters hitting .338 with 24 RBIs this month, stayed in the game to run but was pulled in the ninth inning.

He said the knee was sore and swollen before Sunday’s game, but he was available to pinch hit.

Aubrey Huff made his13th start of the season at third base in Mora’s place.

ORIOLES REPORT CARD

  • IT WAS OVER WHEN …

The Orioles spun a double play to end the top of the seventh inning. The Angels had plated one run already, and had another runner on third when Kevin Millar flashed some defensive brilliance.

  • O’S FANS CHEERED …

When reserve catcher Guillermo Quiroz’s broken-bat single dropped in short left field, scoring Aubrey Huff and Kevin Millar with the third and fourth runs of the game. The runs batted in were Quiroz’s ninth and 10th on the season, and his first since June 26.

  • O’S FANS JEERED …

When they saw the starting lineup. Brandon Fahey led off, Jay Payton was in left, Guillermo Quiroz caught and Juan Castro was at short. But the Orioles’ patchwork lineup came through with 10 hits.

  • FANTASY STUD …

Quiroz had a great day filling in for Ramon Hernandez, going 3-for-4 and plating three runners. Quiroz struck out in the first and singled in his next three at-bats.

  • GOOD CALL …

Starting Aubrey Huff at third base. With Melvin Mora nursing a swollen left knee, Huff went 2-for-4, and made a nice barehanded pick-up-and-throw on a Vladimir Guerrero grounder in the fourth. It was Huff’s 13th start of the season at the hot corner.

  • BAD CALL …

Waiting until now to win on a Sunday. Had the Orioles won eight of their 15 straight Sunday losses, they would be 57-47, and in contention in the AL East.

  • IF ONLY …

Garrett Olson looked this good every time out. Olson went six innings, and scattered seven hits, two walks and two runs. He was efficient, throwing 56 strikes among 97 pitches for the first quality start by an Oriole since July 11.