If found, please return to 333 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD; preferably before Tuesday at 7pm.  It was last seen on a rainy Saturday night. 

Please contact me if you have any information that may lead to its successful return.  Your name will be kept anonymous. 

Jeff Conine, I have caller ID and will know if it’s you.

The road-weary Orioles couldn’t support another solid Brian Burres start managing only 2 hits in the 4-0 loss to Kansas City Sunday afternoon.

Okay, he wasn’t as strong as he has been, but 4 runs isn’t bad and he did give up 9 hits, so it could have been much worse.

Just when you thought he was going to lose it, he gets 3 straight outs at the plate with the bases loaded.  That takes some nerve and nerve counts for something.

Alex Cintron got the call when Trembley finally sent McCrory back to Norfolk.  The O’s are back to 12 pitchers with Cintron, L. Hernandez, Payton, and Quiroz coming off the bench.  Cintron now rounds out the full 40-man roster.

Ramon Hernandez and Brian Roberts are listed as day to day, but before the game Trembley indicated that they are fine and will be available on Tuesday against the Red Sox.

The roster got a juggle for Sunday’s game with Luis Hernandez filling in at second and Huff playing third with Mora at DH.  Hopefully things will be a bit more back to normal when the division leaders get to town.

With two off days this week Trembley can do some juggling with his starters also. 

Most likely Trachsel will get skipped at least once, but may be available for long relief work- allowing Trembley to maintain 8 relievers...somewhat.  The Coach will announce his decision on Tuesday.

 (Sunday Box Score)

 (Photo: AP)

Gargantuan Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson had his punishment reduced yesterday to 5 games for “violent and aggressive actions” towards Texas pitcher Kason Gabbard.  Take a look at the full story here. 

 If you haven’t seen the incident yet, take a look first and then we’ll continue…

OK, got it?  Forget about the goofy commentators for a minute and let’s talk about the incident and the punishment.

First off, Sexson is a 6’-9” monster, so you really can’t blame Gabbard for attempting to go into the fetal position before Richie got to him.  But look at that pitch.  Go back up there for a second, if you have to, and watch the pitch.  It was nowhere near him!

Sure, it was obviously high.  It would have been over a mortal’s head, but for Gargantor it was right at eye level.  I’m sure it was pretty scary for Sexson, but he wasn’t in real danger.

Also, take a look at the score.  The Rangers were up 4-0.  I am a strong supporter of purpose pitches and retaliation as long as no one is getting seriously hurt, but this was not a purpose pitch.

This reaction was all frustration.  The Mariner’s are horribly underachieving after being nationally hyped after the Bedard trade. 

Sexson’s numbers were in the dumps last year and he’s trying to rebound this year with no success so far.  He’s batting .202, which is even worse that his 2007 season average of .205. 

The former powerhouse seems to have found some kryptonite and apparently, for one night against the Texas Rangers, he thought Kason Gabbard might have been behind it.

That being said, I fully support Sexson’s actions and I think it was worth every second of the 5 game suspension. 

The suspension is necessary, of course, or it wouldn’t have as much of an impact.  You can’t have every slumping hitter going Sexson on pitchers, but when they do you really want it to mean something. 

The Mariners won’t miss his bat in the lineup so he might as well try to fire everyone up somehow.  Stranger things have given a team an offensive spark (see Freddy Bynum’s return).

Frankly, I would have liked to see a couple extra rib-shots or a more dramatic pile-driver-type tackle, especially from someone with Sexson’s size.  Hitting a pitcher in the back with a helmet doesn’t have much power, though did seem to add to his suspension.

Overall, the Sexson freak-out doesn’t rank in the history of mound chargings, but it was a well timed move as a desperate effort to ignite some passion into a slumping team.

(Photo: AP)

Trachsel was not lights out, but he was serviceable as previously advertised.  He could only make it into the sixth, but he handed the ball over to Matt Albers with the Orioles very much still in the game.

The starter gave up his only runs in the first inning on an Alex Gordon two-run homerun.  From there he scattered his hits, looking occasionally shaky, but never letting the wheels fall off.

Baltimore hitters are making up for lost time getting everyone on base at least once, except for the slumping Luke Scott.  The left fielder has recorded only three hits in his last 24 at-bats after a torrid start to the season.  Scott doesn’t travel well batting just .193 on the road compared to his .354 at the Yard.

Freddy Bynum continued a hot return and is now 4 for 8 with 3 runs scored in his first two games back; both victories.  Bynum makes an unlikely spark plug to heat the O’s back up, but let’s hope he can keep producing from the nine-hole.

(Friday Box Score)

Looking Ahead to Boston

I’m looking forward to the Orioles getting back to Baltimore and getting out first shot of the season at the division leading Red Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday.  A four game sweep of the Royals sure would be nice momentum taking on the Boston powerhouse.

It appears that we’ll see Josh Beckett on Tuesday and Jon Lester on Wednesday.  The Orioles rotation is a bit less predictable given the two off days this week. 

I’d think Trembley would like to work Guthrie against Beckett on Tuesday and Cabrera against Lester in the businessman special Wednesday, but we’ll have to ask the coach about that.

Get ready for some Nick Markakis t-shirts, Baltimore.

(Photo: AP)

The Orioles need to get back on a roll after a rough stretch, going from first in the division to last in just one week.  Thursday night, the offense showed some signs of life, which will have to continue, but some production from our veteran pitcher is a necessity.

Trachsel’s stats are downright embarrassing; 22 runs, 33 hits, and 19 walks in 26 innings for a 7.42 ERA.  Don’t get the wrong impression- this isn’t due to one or even two colossal meltdowns.  This actually required three complete meltdowns and three okay outings. 

He’s desperate for a solid performance after not getting out of the third inning in his last two starts.  A third consecutive collapse in a row might warrant an obligatory 15-day stint on the DL for “Elbow Soreness”, aka crappy play.  We have to start asking, does he have anything left in the tank?

Some people are calling for Trachsel’s outright release, which would be a reasonable action in this situation on most teams.  But for the Orioles, what’s your alternative? 

This starting staff began the season with three youngsters, one long reliever-turned-starter, and one potentially serviceable veteran.  Sure, we’ve gotten surprisingly solid results of late from three of the five, but we’ve had to bring another kid into the rotation in Olson.  

So where do we go if we lose the now hanging-on-by-a-thread veteran?

The likely in-house candidates would be Matt Albers, who Trembley has repeatedly expressed will remain a reliever, or two youngsters in Norfolk.

Radhames Liz and Hayden Penn have been brought up too early in their careers already and are hardly blowing people away so far this season for the Tides.  Liz carries a 0-3 record with a 5.35 ERA, but on the bright side has recorded 34 Ks in 33 innings. 

Penn is performing nominally better with a 5.23 ERA and 2-2 with 41 innings already under his belt, but neither of these kids are ready yet.  Admittedly, I do not watch them throw every week, but reports on the ground aren’t glowing, though both pitchers are carried on the 40-man roster.

What other options are there?  Unless this is the push McPhail needs to get the Roberts deal done or Trembley is willing to sacrifice Albers, Trachsel needs to get his act together and he needs to start doing it tonight.

Interestingly enough, Lance Cormier registered nine starts last year for the Braves though he wasn’t exactly a standout with a 4.89 ERA and 4-5 over the season. 

In any case, Dave and Andy, please don’t make us watch Greg Aquino again.

The Orioles snapped their five-game losing streak Thursday night with a 4-1 win behind a sparkling performance by Daniel Cabrera. 

Allowing only 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 7 in a full 9 innings of work, the new and improved Cabrera’s record goes to 3 wins and 1 loss. 

This is the fifth complete game in the young hurlers five year career; a career that has seen domination of the Kansas City Royals with a 2.25 ERA and 4-0 record. 

Nick Markakis was the offensive spark in the third with his seventh homerun of the season; this one a three run shot off of rookie Luke Hochevar. 

The first run came in the first on a Hochevar wild pitch with Millar at the plate, allowing Markakis to score. 

The Orioles made the most of their offensive spots only needing six hits for their four runs, something they have struggled with as they lost eight of their last eleven games.

(Thursday Box Score)

(AP Photo: Charlie Riedel)

Bynum In, L. Hernandez Out, Torres Down, Cintron Who

Dave Trembley started the newly rehabbed Freddy Bynum at shortstop last night, where he promptly went 2 for 4 with a run scored.  The Coach confirmed that Bynum is now the everyday shortstop and Luis Hernandez has been relegated to the bench utility role.

It’s no surprise that this move sends Eider Torres back to the minors with his line of two hits in nine major league at-bats and three errors on thirteen chances still intact. 

Alex Cintron, veteran shortstop who singed a minor league deal after the beginning of the season, now seems to be left out of the party.  His .302 BA and ten RBI with the Tides weren’t enough to earn this 2000 post-season all-star a major league contract. 

Cintron can opt-out of his minor league deal to test the free agent market as of 5/15.

Baltimore bats showed signs of life Wednesday afternoon in Oakland, but it just wasn’t enough as the O’s lost their fifth straight, 6-5.

The Orioles can’t get out of California quick enough after going 1-5 on the road trip.  Unfortunately, they have another stop before coming back to the Yard, but with any luck the 14-18 Royals give us a chance to get back on track Thursday. Cabrera (2-1) takes on righty Luke Hochevar (2-1) at 8pm Eastern in the series opener.

Base runners weren’t the problem for a change, with 13 hits and 5 team walks, but hitters couldn’t capitalize on some prime opportunities.  Leadoff men on base should score, but the Birds had trouble stringing their hits together for much of the game.

Trembley and Guthrie were visibly frustrated after the game giving short abrupt answers and cutting interviews to a minimum.  You can’t blame them-  Trembley can’t get the pitching when he finally gets the hitting, though he did defend his pitcher, and poor Guthrie (1-3), who gave up 4 runs, isn’t getting the wins when he deserves them or not. 

Melvin Mora scored his 4^th error of the season in the eighth inning leading to a run that allowed the A’s to get right back into the game with a tie at 5.  The game-ender then came in the bottom of the tenth when the slumping Mark Ellis broke out of his 0 for17 with a solo shot against recent call-up Lance Cormier.

With today’s loss, the Orioles drop to the bottom of the division in a temporary tie with the Jays who play Wednesday evening at home against Tampa Bay.  The 1-0 Matt Garza tries to win on the road against the 3-2 Shaun Marcum.

 (Wednesday Box Score)

(Photo: AP)

Pat Santarone, Longtime Orioles Groundskeeper Dead at 79

The Orioles family is saddened by the passing of Pat Santarone, head groundskeeper for 28 years from 1969-1991.

Great article here at WBAL about Santarone and his longtime friendship with Earl Weaver.  Take a listen to the audio clip of Earl next to the story - great oldtime baseball stories told firsthand. 

"One-run losses have a way of snowballing. They stay with you. They stay underneath your skin." 

Trembley’s words rang true on Tuesday as the O’s lost their fourth straight game 4-2 against the A’s.  It wasn’t quite the one-run loss, but it sure is feeling like the Birds are caught in a snowball.

I admittedly rely too much on stats, but it’s hard to ignore the freefall Oriole batting averages are currently in.  Baltimore now ranks twelfth in the AL with a team .246 BA, ahead of only Cleveland and Chicago.

Burres poured in 5 1/3 innings giving up only 3 earned runs, plus 1 unearned thanks to errors by Torres and Mora in the third.  Albers came out of the pen to relieve Burres and gave a stellar 1 hit performance to finish up the game. 

With two off days next week, Trembley can take some liberties with pitchers he may have had to hold back otherwise.  That doesn’t mean he can skip Trachsel, unfortunately, but he can use Albers more in relief, which has been the coach’s preference when possible. 

After Wednesday's matinee in Oakland, the Orioles will be happy to leave California, where they’ve lost 4 of 5, and head to Kansas City for 4 against the Royals.

(Tuesday Box Score)

Garrett Olson looked like a reliable big league pitcher again in his second start of the year for the O’s.  He was bested in a pitcher’s duel by Dana Eveland in this 2-1 Orioles loss, but not by much.

Losses behind this much strong starting pitching are hard to swallow.  Each 1, 2, or 3 run start is a little pleasant surprise that’s not to be wasted and I get the feeling we don’t know just how many of them we can count on getting.

Ramon Hernandez had the team’s only RBI, driving in Melvin Mora on a grounder in the ninth to ruin Hudson Street’s save chance.  Trembley had given Ramon a stern talking to about his little homerun trot from Monday night- let’s hope the skip can keep the ship afloat.

While the Orioles have lost 7 of their last 9 games, they’ve only scored 14 runs in their last 6 outings.  Huff leads the team with a .278 and it’s all downhill from there, but even Huff is searching for excuses: 

“You're going to go through dry spells. We'll bounce back. We've had a pretty killer road trip; we haven't had much time off. Hopefully, that's it. I'm just trying to make an excuse somewhere.”

This loss parks the Birds at .500 with a record of 16-16, 4 full games behind the Red Sox.  The season’s honeymoon April may be over and reality looms.

(Monday Box Score)

Loewen Non-Information

Adam Loewen’s surgeon can’t find anything wrong with his elbow either so the recommendation is to rub some dirt on it and get out there.  He’ll start throwing forthwith and I’d say he’ll be back up and struggling in 3-4 weeks.

It is hard to tell if no diagnosis is better than a moderate diagnosis.  Something is obviously wrong, so saying ‘get back out there’ shouldn’t offer us much comfort.  This could be the nagging injury that wears out Loewen’s welcome.

(Photo: AP/Ben Margot)

Just as I was getting ready to eat my words about Daniel Cabrera, Ramon Hernandez came to my rescue--giving us all new reasons to be disappointed in our catcher.

Saturday – A Cabrera Start’s A Terrible Thing To Waste

For an unprecedented fifth game in a row, Daniel Cabrera gave the O’s a start to rally behind going into the eighth inning and giving up only three runs and most astonishingly walking only two.  Quiet Baltimore bats kept silent though and Luke Scott’s lone RBI wasn’t enough to overcome a score of 3-1.

(Saturday Box Score)

Sunday – Stuck In Trachs-hell

Why would Steve Trachsel look surprised to see Dave Trembley striding out at him in the fourth inning after giving up six runs and three home runs?  He had a look on his face like he couldn’t believe it.  I had the same look on my face after the third dinger.

This was Trachsel’s second straight three inning outing, and the third in six starts.  I’d love to jump on the bandwagon that’s sending him out of town, but in order to do that you need a replacement and until the Roberts deal gets done we’re not going to have another true starter ready to move in.

Millar was right on the money when he said, “We didn't have good shutdown innings. We scored two, they scored four. We scored one, they scored two. You've got to have a shutdown inning, and we didn't today, so we lost."  The Orioles got to the Angel pitchers, but they got to Trachsel even more as he gave up all six Angel runs in this 6-5 Oriole loss.

While Trachsel’s arm was throwing BP, Oriole base runners were having trouble staying conscious.  As if Ramon Hernandez’s team low .198 batting average (Torres doesn’t count, not enough ABs) wasn’t enough reason to skewer him, his first inning homerun trot sure was.  Granted it was a well hit ball, and sure he has to enjoy every hit that leaves the infield since there haven’t been many, but if you can’t see where the ball went, you better run.

That’s his explanation.  He couldn’t see it.  He didn’t see it, so he assumed it was a home run.  While he’s assuming, he’s also getting tagged out strolling into second on what could have been a pivotal offensive inning. 

“…the thing was that it bounced right at [Garret Anderson] so I couldn't watch the ball."

Not good enough Ramon.  Absolutely not good enough.  Sure, Roberts got picked off and caught stealing third, but I can chalk that up to aggressiveness and not pure carelessness. 

With the loss, the Orioles fall to just one game over .500 and are in a three way tie with the Rays and the Yankees for second with Toronto just a game and a half behind. 

(Sunday Box Score)

Next Up

The Orioles pull into Oakland to take on the overachieving A’s in a three game set.  Garrett Olsen will try to follow-up on his strong debut outing facing the 3-2 rookie Dana Eveland.

(Photo: AP)

From the 2-hole, Markakis sparked the offense, which has been languishing for a couple games, with his 5th home run, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored – one off a Mora single in the fifth.  After scrounging up only 3 hits on Thursday, Oriole bats managed 8 hits Saturday and even got stolen bases from Luis Hernandez and Melvin Mora.

The highlight of the night came on a sharp grounder to Brian Roberts in the 8^th who barehanded a catch deep behind second base to stop an Angels rally.  With a quick throw to first, Roberts nabbed the fleet-footed Figgins at first and kept the Oriole momentum moving. 

Of course, Ramon Hernandez went 0-4 to follow-up his lively Friday and even allowed a pair of steals.  Ramon falls back to .190 and the vigil starts anew.

In a bit of uncharacteristic batting order shuffle, Trembley moves Millar down to the 6^th spot with his .209 and slots Huff into the cleanup slot.  What took so long to get Millar out of cleanup, I’ll never understand, but let’s see if Huff can capitalize and start accumulating RBI.

Baltimore jockeys to second in the division on a Red Sox win against Tampa.

No Lance Cormier just yet, but we'll see how the rest of the weekend goes.

(Friday Box Score)

Bedard Takes First Loss

In New York, Erik Bedard took his first loss of the season against the Yankees.  He only surrendered 4 hits in 7 innings for 1 earned run, but 3 total runs, and still took the L in a 5-1 defeat.  It wasn't the M's night as Bedard is now 2-1.

(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)