The Orioles and Boston both listed Tim Wakefield as tonight’s starter for the Red Sox, which could only mean that Julian Tavarez would pitch instead.

Is anyone really surprised that manager Dave Trembley got tossed tonight? He’s shown remarkable restraint when leaving the dugout in past games, but his last "discussion" with an umpire on the homestand was much more heated. And the losing streak is nine games. And players aren’t hitting the cutoff man or running the bases wisely.

It was just a matter of time.

Keep running Radhames Liz out there every five days. Same with Garrett Olson. That’s the only way to salvage the final month – to evaluate players who could factor into the 2008 plans and perhaps get a head start.

I know it’s easier to do this when your losing streak isn’t longer than the years it took for me to get my college diploma.

As for the Steve Trachsel trade, the Orioles gave up a veteran pitcher with a cheap option for 2008 who was their most consistent starter early in the season, and one of their most effective once he was healthy again. But I won’t argue it.

If they had gotten a low-level prospect in return, I’d gripe. But third baseman Scott Moore is only 23 and already has cracked the majors, appearing in 18 games with the Chicago Cubs over the past two seasons. He hit 19 home runs this year at Triple-A Iowa. Baseball America rated him as the Cubs’ seventh-best prospect. And he’s a former first-round pick of the Detroit Tigers.

He’s not Jose Leon. At least as far as we know.

That alone could be worth it. Now factor in a pitcher who also has some major league experience, posting a 3.00 ERA in 12 relief appearances this season and holding opponents to a .224 average, and it's difficult to find fault with the deal. If nothing else, he'll give Trembley another bullpen option in September. The guy is desperate for arms.

Trachsel allowed three earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 25 starts. He wasn't a bad substitute for Kris Benson. But his biggest contribution could end up being the players the Orioles got in return for him. And how his absence allowed the Orioles to more easily evaluate pitchers like Olson and Liz.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (45)
                    

If I’m a little slow filing entries today, it’s only because I’m having trouble seeing my computer screen with this brown paper bag over my head.

Nobody told me you’re supposed to cut out holes for the eyes.

Manager Dave Trembley didn’t reveal the names of any pitchers or players who will be added to the roster once the minor league seasons end, but reliever Fernando Cabrera will be one of them. Cabrera, the former Cleveland Indian, made his debut last night at Triple-A Norfolk and allowed one run and one hit, with one walk, in one inning.

He’ll be one addition.

You can put Garrett Olson on that list, since he’s starting tomorrow night. I’ll assume that shortstop Luis Hernandez returns to Baltimore. Corner infielder Mike Cervenak certainly deserves to be rewarded for leading the International League in hits. You’d be sending a bad message to everyone else if he’s ignored.

Cervanak can play third and first, but he’s not going to dazzle anyone with his glove. He’d have to wrestle J.R. House for at-bats as the designated hitter.

I hate to say it, but House looks a bit overmatched at the plate right now. I'm not saying he can't hit at this level, but he's scuffling. Laying off the high fastball would be a good idea.

House, as I mentioned yesterday, will catch Olson tomorrow night at Fenway Park. No pressure there, guys.

Timothy Bascom, this year’s fourth-round draft pick, moved up to Single-A Frederick and got his first Carolina League win last night, allowing two runs and five hits in five innings to defeat Myrtle Beach. Bascom struck out four and didn’t walk a batter.

Orioles scout Dean Albany raves about the fifth-rounder, Jacob Arrieta, who is working out at Aberdeen and will pitch in the Arizona Fall League. He says the Orioles got a steal.

Albany offers up some amusing stories, and valuable information on Orioles prospects, as a guest on the Insiders Roundtable Show that airs Sunday at noon on WHFS (105.7), and again at 7 p.m. Monday on ESPN Radio 1300-AM.

Albany spend a considerable amount of time with Matt Wieters last week. Like many of us, Albany envisions an Orioles lineup that includes Wieters, Nick Markakis, Billy Rowell, Brandon Snyder and Nolan Reimold.

Wieters and Rowell are opposite personalities. Rowell is a cocky kid, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. He's just supremely confident, and such a hard worker that he'd hit for 24 hours straight if the Orioles let him.

Not only is Rowell certain that he'll play in the majors, he's convinced that he'll be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Albany told him, "We're not making the plaque just yet."

Wieters will be a call-in guest on The Anita Marks Show today at 3:20 p.m. on MASN and 1300. You might recognize her co-host.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (49)
                    

Before this 1-9 homestand, the Orioles never had given up 100 runs in a 10-game span. But they were outscored, 100-44. And that includes 74-11 after the fifth inning.

The 1-9 mark is the worst for a homestand of 10 games or more in club history. They went 2-10 at Memorial Stadium in 1955.

For the sixth time in team history, the Orioles have lost nine games in a row, or more, at home.

Guess I'm doing a lousy job of cheering you up.

The bullpen has posted a 16.50 ERA over the last nine games. The starters have a 6.11 ERA.

The Orioles held the lead in seven of the nine games during this streak.

Jeremy Guthrie is 0-2 with a 6.42 ERA in six starts this month. He allowed four home runs in his first 15 games. Since then, he's surrendered 19 in his last 14 outings.

 "The ball’s getting up and out over the plate," manager Dave Trembley said.

More from Trembley:

Now the Orioles must go to Fenway Park for three games. At least they miss Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling. But they get 16-game winner Tim Wakefield, who has a decision in all 26 starts this year, one of the strangest stats I've seen in a while. No no-decisions!

I'm not on that trip, but I'll be in St. Petersburg, Fla. for the Devil Rays series at Tropicana Field.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (36)
                    

Matt Wieters continues to work out with short-season Single-A Aberdeen, but he won't play for them. Or any other local affiliate.

The Orioles want their first-round pick to get in game shape before he reports to the Hawaii Winter League on Sept. 25. They don't want to rush him and risk injury. So you'll need to buy a ticket for Hawaii if you want to see him play.

Fifth-rounder Jacob Arrieta also is working out with the IronBirds, but he won't pitch for them. He'll report to the instructional league, and then the Arizona Fall League.

Here's what manager Dave Trembley said about keeping his answers short last night in the post-game media session:

"I think I’ve been, as you guys have been, as accommodating, as open, as forthright, as possible. And I think last night, it was best that I say as little as possible, and that’s the approach I took. I’ve never said 'no' to any guy here, I’ve never criticized any guy here for what they write or say about me or this team, and I never will because I know that’s your job, but there are times when I need a little space, too. I’m a human being, and I’m not afraid to admit that.

"I told (PR director) Bill Stetka last night, I said, ‘Bill, I don’t feel like going in there.’ And I’m not afraid to face the music. I’m not afraid of any of that stuff, because I’ll never be dishonest with anybody here. I told you at the beginning, I’ll never roll anybody under the bus. I’ll never call anybody out. I know about semantics, and I can turn it and say that’s part of the game. I won’t talk through the press about what these guys are doing, their inadequacies. If I’ve got something to say to these guys, I’ll deal with them directly. They’re not going to read it. And last night I had seen enough. I wasn’t going to cross that line and say something I shouldn’t say. There’s only so much self-control we can exhibit, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that. It’s been a tough week."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
                    

Garrett Olson will have a familiar catcher on Saturday.

J.R. House will be behind the plate.

"I told him I hadn’t done a real good job giving him as many opportunities as I feel I should have," manager Dave Trembley said, referring to House. "I’m going to try to do a better job with that."

It's clear that Trembley will give the younger guys a long look next month after rosters expand.

"I think you take yourself out of the equation and you do what’s right for both the player and the team. And I’ve got to do that," he said. "There are going to be some kids called up in September. I’m not going to play every game like it’s the seventh game of the World Series and not give those guys a chance. I’ve got to give them a chance. That’s only fair. If you’re just concerned with yourself and the record, I think you’re missing the big picture. I won’t miss the big picture."

Steve Trachsel might not qualify as a "big pitcher," but he could be missing soon. Tomorrow is the deadline for teams to set their playoff rosters, and he's in demand. Scouts from the Braves and Cubs attended last night's game and had to be impressed.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 5:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

Needing a pitcher who can give them multiple innings, the Orioles activated Jon Leicester from the disabled list and promised to keep his pitch count under 500.

I believe that's how many he threw in that May 12 game in Boston.

Leicester had his contract purchased from Triple-A Norfolk. To make room for him, the Orioles designated Rob Bell for assignment.

They hope that Bell clears waivers in three days and can join them in Tampa on Tuesday, after rosters expand.

Here's the lineup:

Brian Roberts - 2B

Corey Patterson - CF

Nick Markakis - RF

Miguel Tejada - SS

Kevin Millar - 1B

Melvin Mora - 3B

J.R. House - DH

Ramon Hernandez - C

Jay Payton - LF

Jeremy Guthrie - P

Roberts vows to play tonight, but he's walking gingerly because of pain on the top of his left foot.

Roberts injured his foot while sliding into third base, but he compounded the problem by dropping a can of soda on the exact same spot this morning. Roberts was re-stocking his fridge, a can slipped out of his hand and he instinctively stuck out his foot to keep it from exploding on the floor.

The can, not his foot.

I commend Roberts for staying in the lineup. This would have been the perfect excuse, with the team playing so poorly, to sit on the bench tonight.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
                    

When I'm not writing the game story for The Sun, my duties after the final out usually including typing up manager Dave Trembley's quotes for my partner in crime, Jeff Zrebiec.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Trembley for making my job so much easier last night.

He warned us that he was going to be brief. And boy, was he brief.

In case you missed it on the MASN feed, here's the entire post-game press conference:

“We played our hearts out and the guys earned a lot of respect tonight. Mistakes are part of the game.”

(On saying before the game that Danys Baez would get the save opportunity): “He was one pitch away from doing it.”

“They stranded 16. We had some chances, also, to get a big hit and we didn’t. That’s baseball.”

And that, folks, is the entire transcript.

Easy night for me. Not so easy for the man still waiting to get his first win since being named manager in 2008.

Will he have to wait that long?

The Orioles have been outscored 112-61 in the eighth inning.

And that's just in the last week.

I saw the fan who was wearing a brown bag over his head, but I didn't see anyone escort him out of the ballpark.

At least he wasn't wearing a plastic bag tied at the neck. It hasn't gotten THAT bad yet.

The ball that shortstop Miguel Tejada misplayed in the eighth took a nasty hop, but I don't see how you can score it a hit when it bounces off his chest and rolls away. It's a tough error, for sure, but I believe the play was scored correctly.

Next time, try charging the ball instead of letting it play you. That's what Luis Hernandez does, and it seems to work for him.

I sure wish the Orioles would announce when Matt Wieters is making his debut at Aberdeen. Try distracting the fans with some good news. Dangling shiny objects in front of them won't work (well most of them, anyway). Better to use a switch-hitting catcher.

I'm heading to Camden Yards because nobody has been able to talk me out of it.

More to come.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
                    

Orioles manager Dave Trembley had a long conversation last night with rookie James Hoey, who kept walking past his office door until finally invited inside.

Hoey feels that he's letting Trembley down. Trembley assured him that's not the case.

"What I tried to tell him is he's not alone, that this happens in this game more times than not. Everybody goes through it," Trembley said.

As a concession to Hoey's slump, and his low confidence level, Trembley will try to avoid calling upon the rookie with runners on base. But he won't back off completely.

Meanwhile, Cory Doyne hasn't pitched at Triple-A Norfolk since the Orioles optioned him on Aug. 3. Doyne went on the disabled list Aug. 20 with a strained shoulder muscle, but he still made the International League's post-season All-Star team.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (78)
                    

Erik Bedard is having his turn skipped on Saturday because of a sore oblique muscle.

Yes, that injury has struck another Oriole. Amazing.

Bedard told manager Dave Trembley that it's bothered him for the last three or four weeks, but he didn't tell anyone. He also said it hasn't affected his pitching, which is pretty obvious.

Garrett Olson will start in Bedard's place. And Radhames Liz starts on Friday.

Here's the lineup:

Brian Roberts - 2B

Corey Patterson - CF

Nick Markakis - RF

Miguel Tejada - SS

Kevin Millar - 1B

Aubrey Huff - DH

Melvin Mora - 3B

Ramon Hernandez - C

Jay Payton - LF

Steve Trachsel - P

When I return, I'll write about Jim Hoey's post-game meeting with Trembley.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)
                    

Now I'm hearing Matt Wieters isn't playing tomorrow in Aberdeen, so the wait continues.

The Orioles are having their team photo taken today at 3:45 p.m., so clubhouse access for the media will be limited. I'll send along the lineup, and some other news, as soon as I'm able.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

Mike Mussina is out of the Yankees rotation, replaced by former No. 1 pick Ian Kennedy.

That's a drastic move for a team that's in the playoff hunt, but Mussina has allowed 19 earned runs in his last three starts covering only 9 2/3 innings.

Maybe the Yankees should have thrown a lot of money at a Japanese pitcher this winter, in the hopes of finding another Dice-K.

Oh, wait...

I'm hearing some rumblings that Matt Wieters could make his professional debut tomorrow night in Aberdeen, which returns from a long road trip. 

Maybe the Orioles should make him a closer, since he did it at Georgia Tech.

Seriously, what are their options now? Danys Baez would have pitched the ninth last night if the Orioles held a lead, and he hasn't been right all season. Jim Hoey doesn't trust his stuff right now. And there doesn't seem to be much interest in Bob Wickman.

I'm intrigued with the idea of using Radhames Liz in that role, since he's not afraid to challenge hitters and brings serious heat. But he's been on a starter's schedule all season and there's some risk to disrupting the kid's routine.

Manager Dave Trembley hasn't given any assurances that Liz will make another start. And don't forget, Garrett Olson can return now that Bluefield's season is ending, so he'll likely go back into the rotation - unless the Orioles need four left-handers in their bullpen.

If one of them isn't Sparky Lyle in his prime, I don't see the point.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)
                    

The Orioles really need to stop honoring the start of another NFL season by putting up NFL scores.

Have they broke camp yet?

After turning in six scoreless outings, rookie Jim Hoey has allowed 10 earned runs in his last three appearances spanning 1 2/3 innings. Most disturbing is that's he's become nervous again, similar to last year and his first stop here this season. The Orioles see it, and he's admitting it, which means he can't be trusted in close games -- at least for a while. 

"I just wasn’t confident in myself," he said. "I was a little nervous out there and right off the bat, I gave up a single. After that, I started getting nervous. I couldn’t find my (arm) slot, I couldn’t find nothing.

"My arm is fine. My arm is tremendous. I just don’t feel the same way that I did in the minor leagues. I’m not in the right state of mind now. It’s not me. I’m not used to doing this."

If the Orioles led in the ninth, Danys Baez would have closed. Manager Dave Trembley wanted Hoey to get through the eighth. Now he must consider using Hoey earlier in games until he regains some confidence.

As if this bullpen doesn't have enough issues. Its ERA is 19.50 on the homestand and 21.27 during the losing streak.

The Orioles hadn't allowed 11 runs in an inning in a home game since the Washington Senators roughed them up on May 11, 1962. The overall record is 16 runs on April 19, 1996 in Texas.

Tampa Bay is being credited here for setting a club record by having 12 straight batters reach base in the eighth inning, but Brendan Harris doesn't count. He hit into a fielder's choice. Technically, he got to first base, but that's not how the stat is determined. An out can't be recorded, so it's actually nine straight.

And that's bad enough for the Orioles.

In case you think the players don't care about you, here's an interesting quote from Miguel Tejada that you can take to bed:

"It's hard. As players, it's not frustrating for us because tomorrow we're going to be out there again trying to win a game. I really feel sorry for the fans. They come every day to see our team win and we're not winning. They've really been hit hard because they want to see our team do much better."

I'll close by revisiting my Hayden Penn entry, since I'm told some message boards are blowing up over it.

It was widely publicized that the Orioles were frustrated with Penn this spring for not being in top shape, for forgetting his bag on the Jupiter trip and using poor judgment in driving back to Lauderdale, for spraining his ankle by -- according to Penn -- tripping on some steps while carrying boxes at the team hotel, and for seemingly being satisfied that he pitched "OK" before the team reassigned him to minor league camp. Former manager Sam Perlozzo lectured Penn in his office about having to do better and not settling for "OK."

There haven't been many updates since then because he has been out since having surgery. I pointed out that he's throwing well now and it's too soon to give up on him, that perhaps he could factor into the Orioles' 2008 plans as a starter or reliever. I'm pulling for him. But he also has a lot to prove because some people in the organization are frustrated with him. This isn't breaking news, just revisiting where he stands right now.

Like any reporter, I can't always go too deeply into things or I'd be violating the trust of certain people, but sometimes I try to give you a feel for what's going on. But I know there will still be complaints about being too negative about a pitcher who put up good numbers, or not being specific enough. You can't please everyone. I stopped trying a long time ago.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (42)
                    

Believe it or not, the Orioles avoided giving up 11 runs in a single inning in their 30-3 loss. Before tonight, it happened only once - against the Washington Senators on May 11, 1962.

The bullpen's ERA is 20.86 on this homestand. And we still have a ninth inning to play.

The six home runs tie the club record for a home game, but who's going to care tomorrow if the Orioles don't rally?

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (34)
                    

We're about to enter the seventh inning and I can't get that song from Top Gun out of my head.

Something about the danger zone. You know it.

Ridiculous love story, by the way, but I digress...

The Orioles are leading by one run heading into the bottom of the sixth. Daniel Cabrera's pitch count stands at 114. The bullpen is busy.

The Orioles have allowed 41 runs after the sixth inning on this homestand. Now would be a nice time to buck that trend.

Can they do it?

The Orioles hadn't hit back-to-back homers all season until Nick Markakis and Miguel Tejada did it in the first inning.

As for Kurt Birkins being here on five separate call-ups, you only use one option per season, so he can go back and forth as much as the Orioles desire. 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (38)
                    

Get those Phoenix Desert Dogs season tickets.

The Orioles will have seven representatives on the Desert Dogs' roster in the Arizona Fall League: pitchers Jim Johnson, Hayden Penn, Bob McCrory and Jake Arrieta, infielder Paco Figueroa and outfielders Jeff Fiorentino and Nolan Reimold.

For those of you scoring at home, and I'd much rather be doing that, Kurt Birkins was recalled for the fifth time. He held up an open palm when I jokingly asked if he's keeping track.

We both wonder about the all-time single-season record. Maybe the Orioles should start hanging numbers from the warehouse.

Paul Shuey's nice comeback story has been put on hold. He wants to pitch next season. He was still working himself into game shape this summer. It's tough to do that against major league hitters, in games that count.

Here's the lineup (better late than never):

Brian Roberts - 2B

Corey Patterson - CF

Nick Markakis - RF

Miguel Tejada - SS

Kevin Millar - 1B

Aubrey Huff - DH

Melvin Mora - 3B

Ramon Hernandez - C

Freddie Bynum - LF

Daniel Cabrera - P

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 6:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
                    

Chris Redman looked pretty sharp for the Falcons last night. I'm not sure he's good enough to start 16 games in the NFL, though that hasn't prevented Joey Harrington from finding work, but he's certainly a capable backup when healthy.

That Louisville connection to his head coach doesn't hurt, either.

Hayden Penn allowed one run in six innings last night at Triple-A Norfolk, striking out five and walking none in the Tides' 2-1 victory over Durham in Game 1 of a doubleheader.

After Penn left the game, reliever Jim Miller walked the bases loaded in the seventh and fell behind 3-0 to former Oriole Chris Richard, who eventually struck out.

Almost forgot about Mr. Richard, didn't you?

He had a nice swing when he played for the Orioles, but the club couldn't decide on a position for him, or find a way to keep him healthy.

We shouldn't forget about Penn when speculating on next year's rotation. He has been a huge disappointment so far -- health-wise and in his waning dedication to the game. But he doesn't turn 23 until October. It's too soon to give up on him.

If nothing else, he could be a long reliever next season. The talent is there. He just needs to stay focused on what's important. And remember to take his bag with him on spring training road trips. 

Penn certainly can't get by on his prospect status anymore. Former manager Sam Perlozzo made that point very clear in Fort Lauderdale. Too many pitchers have passed him by in the organization, Radhames Liz being the latest. 

Meanwhile, I don't like Mike Mussina's chances of winning 20 games this season.

Maybe 2008.

Ten Orioles games, beginning with tomorrow's, will be broadcast on 102.7 JACK-FM instead of WHFS 105.7.

The others: Sept. 1, 5, 8, 12, 13, 19, 22, 26 and 29.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (49)
                    

Michael Vick sounded so sincere today, didn't he?

I guess nobody could talk him into carrying a chihuahua in a purse.

I just want that guy to go away. A year. Two years. Whatever.

A former member of the Oakland Athletics was asked recently what he sees now in catcher Ramon Hernandez. He replied: "I don't see the same player I saw with us when he was on one-year deals."

If I'm Hernandez, I'm not taking this as a compliment.

While we're concentrating on the Orioles' late-season swoons, their winning percentage is .433 in August and .427 in September since 1997. You can add a 5-13 record in October -- no playoff games, of course -- and not feel bad about having concerns right now. There's definitely a trend.

Check out these numbers:

1998: They go 2-11 in their last 13 games, 1-12 from Aug. 20 to Sept. 2 -- including a 10-game losing streak.

1999: They go 1-6 in their last seven games, though they also won 13 in a row from Sept. 7-22.

2000: They go 5-12 from Sept. 6-20.

2001: They lost 10 in a row from Sept. 1-19, though nobody could concentrate on baseball after the terrorist attacks, and go 1-16 from Aug. 24 to Sept. 19.

2002: 4-32. 'Nuff said.

2003: They lost eight in a row from Aug. 11-19, and nine in a row from Aug. 24 to Sept. 2. They were 4-17 from Aug. 11 to Sept. 2, and 6-14 over their last 20 games.

2004: They lost 12 in a row from Aug. 16-28.

2005: They lost nine in a row  from Sept. 18-26 and went 2-13 from Sept. 14-29.

2006: They went 4-14 from Aug. 29 to Sept. 16.

2007: The current losing streak stands at six games. They need to break out tomorrow night -- in a big way.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 7:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (24)
                    

The Falcons are playing the Bengals tonight on ESPN.

I wonder what the media's angle will be?

Does this mean the Bengals are the good guys in this game?

At last check, I've received 203 reader comments on the Wild Bill Hagy entry. That has to be a record, though the blog blew up after the Orioles blew that game against the Nationals in D.C. earlier this season.

Just shows how much Hagy was loved by fans here. And I'm touched that family members are reuniting through this blog.

You just never know who you'll reach.

I have to do some work today that extends beyond my blogging duties, so forgive me for being so brief, and so late with my first entry.

I'm sure most of us are thinking the same thing about the Orioles: Just how bad can this get?

We've lived through 4-32. We have the scars to prove it. I don't see this team hitting bottom quite so hard, but there's no mistaking the warning signs.

Tomorrow's starter for Tampa Bay, Jason Hammel, scares no one except the guys in his own dugout. But the Orioles are sending out Daniel Cabrera, who's 9-13 with a 5.10 ERA. Not exactly a slam dunk.

The Orioles get James Shields and Scott Kazmir the next two nights, then travel to Boston. Things could get real ugly. Maybe not 4-32 ugly, but the kind of ugly you only admit to your most trustworthy friends.

This team hasn't quit. Take comfort in that fact. But they need to pitch better, hit better in the clutch, play better defense, make smarter decisions in the field and on the bases.

I think manager Dave Trembley summed up the Twins series perfectly: "Didn't pitch good enough. Didn't hit well enough. Didn't play well enough. Didn't coach well enough. Didn't manage well enough. We put ourselves in a position to get exactly what happened. I'll give it to you straight."

You certainly did, Dave. Nicely done.

The hard part is finding a solution. It better come fast or this could get "too-drunk-to-remember-last-night" ugly.  

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)
                    

If you sat in section 86 today, beside the bullpens, you know why you bothered to get out of bed: To receive a free Baltimore Sun sunscreen key chain from your favorite blogger.

Settle down.

I hung for a few innings before retreating to the press box, but only because I was working alone today and had to write. It had nothing to do with the sun beating down on me and causing me to sweat ridiculous amounts. The grounds crew actually moved behind the tarp, anticipating a delay.

It was brutally hot out there. The sunscreen was a good idea -- or "suncreen," as we called it. It's the only key chain that requires a spellcheck.

It's marked SPF-15, which also is the bullpen's ERA since the break.

I'm not sure what the SPF stands for, but I'm taking suggestions. Just keep 'em clean.

Kevin Millar's streak of reaching base might come to an end, thanks to Torii Hunter's leaping catch at the fence. We'll blame him.

Congrats to Erik Bedard for setting the team single-season strikeout record when he fanned Jason Bartlett, the second batter he faced. But I'm sure he'd trade it for a win. He's down 6-3 in the sixth.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (57)
                    

Tim Wakefield is a 16-game winner this season.

Why do I find that incredible?

If he became available over the winter, would you really push for the Orioles to sign him? You'd have to find somebody who could catch him, of course.

Here's the lineup, which includes a few more changes. Check out where Nick Markakis is batting, and who's not in it:

Brian Roberts - 2B

Corey Patterson - CF

Miguel Tejada - DH

Nick Markakis - RF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Aubrey Huff - 3B

Freddie Bynum - SS

Paul Bako - C

Tike Redman - LF

Erik Bedard - P

Manager Dave Trembley alerted Tejada a few days ago about his DH plans, so this won't come as a shock when Miguel walks into the clubhouse and sees the lineup card.

Don't forget that Bedard needs one strikeout to break Mike Mussina's single-season record. I'm guessing it happens in the first inning. I'm going to predict first batter. Four pitches, tops. I'll even go so far as to say a 93-mph fastball gets the job done.

And you know how my predictions usually turn out.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
                    

Did anyone catch the MASN shots of new bullpen coach Alan Dunn sitting with the relievers last night?

I don't think the man will lack in intensity.

I haven't seen an expression like that since I forgot to come home for dinner one night and my father had to drive around looking for me.

And this was last Thursday.

OK, seriously, Dunn is all business. Manager Dave Trembley listed work ethic first when asked what qualities his former pitching coach at Double-A West Tennessee will bring to the Orioles.

He left out a glare that could melt a cruise ship.

If I'm a reliever and that bullpen phone rings, I'm jumping up long before Dunn signals for me. I'm already into my third warm-up toss. And then I'm offering to wash his car.

I don't believe I received a single comment on my entry yesterday announcing Dunn's hiring. I guess bullpen coaches don't excite the masses.

I also doubt many of you knew who was handling those duties since Trembley moved into the dugout. Elrod Hendricks might have been the most famous bullpen coach in baseball history. Since then, it's been a revolving door.

I sense Dunn brings a little something to the table.

Just don't be late for dinner.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:07 AM | Permalink |