Dennis Sarfate and Carlos Pena exchanged words in the eighth inning, but nothing materialized. Though a few Tampa Bay players left the dugout, none of the Orioles vacated the bench.

Sarfate yelled at Pena to get in the box. Pena kept stepping out, which irritated the Orioles' reliever.

Sarfate wouldn't comment on the incident.

Manager Dave Trembley explained his decision to use McCrory in the seventh inning by saying it seemed like a good situation, with the Rays sending up the bottom of their order and the Orioles trailing. Get three outs and get out of there. But it didn't happen.

"He'll be much better next time," Trembley said. "We got that one out of the way for him."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
                    

Manager Dave Trembley made an interesting call when he decided to let Bob McCrory start the seventh inning. A pitcher making his major league debut in a two-run game. Not an ideal way to break him in.

McCrory retired one of the five batters he faced, walking two and allowing two singles. He was charged with four runs.

Dennis Sarfate replaced McCrory with the bases loaded, also a gamble considering the right-hander's occasional lapses in control. Sarfate has surrendered a pair of two-run singles and walked two batters, and a 3-1 game has been transformed into an 8-1 mess.

Jim Johnson was warming with McCrory but didn't leave the bullpen.

Trembley has been pushing the right buttons this season, but he's open to a little second-guessing tonight. And I'm sure he's ready for it. He knows it comes with the territory.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

We came pretty close to welcoming back Brandon Fahey to the big leagues.

Shortstop Luis Hernandez jammed his left foot into third base while advancing from first on Brian Roberts' run-scoring single in the third inning. Hernandez's lead foot cleared the bag, causing his back foot to slam into it.

The look on Hernandez's face said "get me a stretcher," but he stayed in the game after being checked by manager Dave Trembley and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells.

Hernandez was late coming onto the field for the top of the fourth. Plate umpire James Hoye walked toward the dugout, then returned to his spot behind the catcher. And still, no sign of Hernandez.

Finally, he grabbed his glove and climbed the steps, with Bancells and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel standing nearby.

Hernandez was tested right away. He went into the hole to backhand Evan Longoria's grounder with one out and made a strong throw that was a half-step late.

I should mention that a player who's sent down must remain in the minors for at least 10 days before he can return, unless he's needed because of an injury. That's why Fahey could have come back early.

Meanwhile, Eric Hinske's two-run homer in the fourth has given the Rays a 3-1 lead. Matt Albers has cruised in the first and third innings. Not so much in the second and fourth.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

Brian Roberts - 2B

Melvin Mora - 3B

Luke Scott - LF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Aubrey Huff - DH

Jay Payton - RF

Adam Jones - CF

Ramon Hernandez - C

Luis Hernandez - SS

Matt Albers - P

Nick Markakis is getting some rest. He's not injured. 

Adam Loewen's bone scan came back clear, which is the good news. The bad news: The Orioles still haven't identified the source of his elbow discomfprt. He'll visit Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery last year, for a consultation. But the Orioles are relieved that the scan didn't come back hot.

Rocky Cherry will throw an inning at extended spring training on Thursday.

Within the next two weeks, the Orioles hope that fourth-round pick Tim Bascom will be pitching at Single-A Frederick. He recently tossed an inning at extended spring training while dealing with some discomfort associated with his oblique. The club wants him built up to 75 pitches before having him report to Frederick.

The rotation for the Angels series shapes up as Jeremy Guthrie, Daniel Cabrera and Steve Trachsel. 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
                    

The Frederick Keys played an early game today, and Jake Arrieta was sensational again.

Arrieta blanked Wilmington over seven innings, striking out eight. He's fanned at least eight batters in three of his six professional starts.

I talked to a scout from another organization earlier today who insists that Arrieta will move quickly through the system and reach the majors in rapid fashion. And he'll be a steal in the fifth round.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

I woke up this morning and realized something about myself that I hadn’t noticed in all the years that I’ve hung out with me. Percentage points mean nothing to this guy. Zilch. Nada.

Matt Albers will make tomorrow night’s start instead of Jim Johnson.

You have to appreciate how the Orioles bounced back from that brutal road trip, and the suspended game that had to drain them.

“I think we showed real good fortitude tonight,” manager Dave Trembley said. “I mean, the trip coming back here and the conditions yesterday and everything that’s gone on here over the last 72 hours I think have been taxing on everyone mentally. Not so much physically, but mentally. You know you make a couple player moves today you don’t know how your team is going to react when you do those kinds of things. I think saying this team is resilient is an understatement.”

Tonight’s attendance: 11, 588. And it seemed like they were all cheering Garrett Olson when he walked off the mound for the final time in the seventh.

Funny how so many people thought Trembley should have removed Olson after the sixth with his shutout intact, and I was pushing for Trembley to let him face Carl Crawford with two outs in the seventh and the Orioles ahead, 7-1. Crawford was 0-for-3 against Olson, with a strikeout, grounder and pop up. But Olson’s pitch count stood at 105, and Trembley went with Randor Bierd, who gave up a run-scoring single.

“I thought what he did was he pitched inside better and he worked faster,” Trembley said. “Last year when I saw him, it seemed like his tempo was really slow and he almost pitched defensive instead of aggressive. He took a lot of time in between pitches and he wasn’t pitching to contact. Tonight, he looked like he was going to make them hit it. He challenged some guys in the middle of their lineup. It didn’t seem like he was wasting pitches when he got ahead, 0-2. When he got behind, he still came down in the better part of the middle of the plate. He wasn’t working away from contact.”

Asked if Olson will continue to take Adam Loewen’s spot in the rotation, Trembley said, “I would think after the way he pitched tonight, we would have to see what we can do to get him back out there again.”

Chad Bradford allowed hits to two of the three batters he faced in the eighth, but one was a bouncer up the middle and the other was a ground ball up the middle. An inch or two in another direction and they could have been outs.
 

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
                    

The Rays loaded the bases with one out in the third inning, and Olson escaped the jam by getting a force at home and striking out B.J. Upton on three pitches, the last a 91-mph fastball. They got an infield hit and walk to begin the fifth, and Olson retired the next three batters.

Olson seems more inclined to challenge the Rays instead of doing the kind of nibbling that defined his stint with the club last season. He looks tough off the field. He's been pretty tough on the mound tonight, which the Orioles have been waiting to see.

Olson's fastball is topping out at 91 mph. He just threw 89-mph "heat" to retire Jonny Gomes on a fly ball.

The Orioles lead, 3-0, in the sixth, but the margin could be greater. Eric Hinske made a diving catch in right field to rob Kevin Millar and end the second inning after consecutive run-scoring singles by Melvin Mora and Nick Markakis. And Adam Jones tripped after rounding third base, or he would have scored on Ramon Hernandez's double in the third.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)
                    

Garrett Olson threw 12 pitches in the first inning, including a 90-mph fastball to strike out Carl Crawford looking and an 83-mph changeup to retire B.J. Upton on a fly ball.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay starter Jason Hammel walked the bases loaded in the first before Luke Scott grounded out to end the threat.

Olson threw 15 pitches in the second, again setting down the Rays without allowing a baserunner. He struck out Jonny Gomes on an 89-mph fastball to close the inning.

You just knew Gomes would strike out or hit a 450-foot home run.

Olson has switched from No. 57 to 18. I hope he's worthy of following Javy Lopez.

How many of you hear No. 18 and automatically think of Pat Kelly?

As for the suspended game, anyone who played in it and came out isn't allowed to return. But if new players are on the roster, they're eligible to participate. So don't be too disappointed if Eider Torres isn't the designated hitter on Aug. 25.

Speaking of Torres, he pronounces his first name "A-der." I've been saying "E-der" or "I-der," depending on the day of the week and how the stars are aligned.  

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 7:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

Brian Roberts - 2B

Melvin Mora - 3B

Nick Markakis - RF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Aubrey Huff - DH

Luke Scott - LF

Adam Jones - CF

Ramon Hernandez - C

Luis Hernandez - SS

Garrett Olson - P

Adam Loewen is undergoing a bone scan, so the Orioles don't have any updates on his condition. They'll gather the results of the bone scan, CT scan and MRI and consult with Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery on Loewen.

We do know this much: Loewen won't be ready after his 15 days are up.

The suspended game with the White Sox will be completed on Aug. 25, per MLB rules. That's the next series between the teams. Chicago will be the "home" team, even though the game will be played at Camden Yards.

I assume the re-enactment won't require the Orioles to turn on the sprinklers overnight to saturate the field.

Brandon Fahey's been told that he'll move around at Triple-A Norfolk. He's a utility player and will be treated as such. Meanwhile, manager Dave Trembley said the roster move gives Luis Hernandez about 12 days to show what he can do. Trembley dropped Alex Cintron's name in the conversation, too, saying the infielder wasn't quite ready yet. But it's obvious that Cintron is getting serious consideration for a call-up.

Still no definitive word on tomorrow's starter. It's either Jim Johnson or Matt Albers, depending on whether either guy is needed tonight. Johnson's two innings yesterday didn't knock him out of the competition.

Bob McCrory was a closer at Double-A Bowie and Norfolk, and Trembley said it's "highly unlikely" that he'd go more than two innings with the Orioles.

Fernando Cabrera threw another inning at extended spring training. His schedule calls for him to stay in Sarasota until May 20 before going on an injury rehab assignment with one of the affiliates.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
                    

And one of them isn't Greg Aquino, who never made it out of April.

The Orioles have designated Aquino for assignment. They also optioned Brandon Fahey to Triple-A Norfolk and brought up two pitchers - Garrett Olson, who starts tonight, and reliever Bob McCrory, another "Tommy John" success story.

I'm heading down to the clubhouse, but I'll have more later.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

So what's the next humiliation for Roger Clemens? A point-shaving scandal? Dog fighting? He hires Isiah Thomas to run his NBA franchise?

We shouldn't be lacking for news today at Camden Yards. For example:

1. How will the Orioles make room on their 25-man roster for pitcher Garrett Olson, who starts tonight's series opener against Tampa Bay? Do they option infielder Eider Torres? Do they designate reliever Greg Aquino? Or is it none of the above?

2. We're expected to learn the results of Adam Loewen's MRI and CT scan. Is this a four to six weeks thing, or is the discomfort in his left elbow and forearm much more serious?

3. Who starts tomorrow's game? It was supposed to be Jim Johnson, but he threw two innings yesterday. Matt Albers wasn't particularly sharp on the road trip, but he'd seem to have the edge. We'll find out.

4. When will the Orioles and White Sox resume their suspended game? And do the rules allow Aubrey Huff to be ejected twice?

Stick around. It should be interesting.

Meanwhile, I'm bringing my umbrella and a pair of rubber boots. Maybe a life raft, too. 

And that's just in case the press box floods again.

Don't forget the ESPN Zone is hosting another Orioles Q&A tomorrow, beginning at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Luke Scott will take your questions. Ask him about the notebook he keeps in the dugout during games. Maybe he'll bring it with him.

The event includes ticket giveaways, trivia and autograph signings. Enjoy.

The Zone hosted the first Q&A with Adam Jones on April 17, and he had the game-winning single later that night.  

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 6:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (49)
                    

If a tie is like kissing your sister, what exactly is a suspended game?

Does it involve a man-hug and a distant cousin?

As Jim Palmer pointed out afterward on MASN's post-suspended-game show, the Orioles can take great satisfaction in avoiding a loss today. They don't have a win to show for their efforts - not to mention their patience while waiting out two rain delays - but they didn't lose after trailing by a run going into the ninth inning.

The White Sox brought out their closer. The game was supposed to end in regulation.

Of course, the Orioles did the same in the 11th, but I digress...

As much as I hated to see that tarp come on the field again, the umpires had no choice. The infield dirt had turned into a mudslide. Routine plays became almost impossible. There's no way Brandon Fahey makes a wide throw in the 11th in normal conditions, but the ball was impossible to grip once it soaked up five gallons of water.

For those of you keeping score at home, that's three postponements and a suspended game. And we aren't through April yet. 

Meanwhile, this team needs more pop from its bench - a sentence that was repeated many times in this same blog last season. But who comes up? It can't be Scott Moore or Mike Costanzo until they get hot.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (22)
                    

The field is unplayable, but a game sloshes on.

If the Orioles play one more game in the rain, they'll need to change their team colors to mold and mildew. 

So how did you feel about that squeeze play White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen called for in the 10th inning?

You're brilliant when it works. When it doesn't...

Brian Roberts doubles to open the ninth and I'm waiting for Melvin Mora to lay down a bunt. Then Roberts steals third and the bunt no longer is necessary.

You're brilliant when it works.

George Sherrill blew his first save when he hung a slider to Juan Uribe, who launched it into the seats in left field to tie the game, 3-3, in the 11th. And sportswriters everywhere paused to offer their sympathies to the guys in Chicago who want nothing more than to file their stories after waiting out the long rain delay, grab a late dinner, pack their bags and catch a flight back home. 

It'll have to wait.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
                    

Though the home run that Daniel Cabrera allowed to Carlos Quentin in the sixth inning was most unfortunate, I saw further growth in the 6-foot-9 pitcher when he promptly retired the next three batters.

In past years, Cabrera might have suffered a meltdown. He would have lost command and control. His fastball might have sailed to the screen or behind the next hitter. But his concentration didn't waver.

The walks were way up today, in nasty conditions, but Cabrera deserved a win. He did his job. It wasn't long ago that he would have been tagged for six or seven runs on a day like this.

Too bad the offense is asleep again.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 6:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)
                    

REO Speedwagon is performing in concert at Regency Furniture Stadium, home of the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, on Aug. 11.

Maybe they’ll come to Camden Yards and sing, “Riding the Storm Out,” which is pretty much all the Orioles do these days. They’re in another rain delay in Chicago.

Jeremy Guthrie wants to do his own version of “Take It on the Run,” except it would be, “I'll Gladly Take a Run”

He could save “I Can’t Fight This Feeling That I Need More Runs” for the encore.

Maybe Ramon Hernandez could open for him and sing, “Time For Me to Fly Out”

Then again, judging by some of the batting averages I’m seeing, the Orioles could start their own boy band and cover that song. But we knew the offense would run cold for stretches. And there aren’t many options for manager Dave Trembley. He can’t plug Eider Torres or Brandon Fahey in the cleanup slot.

This just in: Every pitcher in the American League has agreed to do a benefit concert – they’ll choose a charity later – on the condition that they’re allowed to serenade Nick Markakis with, “Keep On Walking You”

OK, now I’m done. 
  

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)
                    

I was sure the Atlanta Falcons would select Shelley Long with the third pick. I sensed a trend developing.

If there’s one advantage to last night’s game being rained out - and I'm scrambling here - the Orioles were able to rest after flying into Chicago from Seattle. But they already were at the ballpark and had batted in the first inning. May as well finish it.

Instead, we get another doubleheader. And we know how the last one turned out.

Just when this team starts building momentum, we get an interruption.

In case you missed manager Dave Trembley’s quote in today’s Sun about the two fans running onto the field in the ninth inning of Thursday night’s game,  here it is:

"That's embarrassing to baseball," Trembley said. "I'm a big proponent of respect, and that's probably the epitome of disrespect when two idiots run out on the field like that. And what really bothered me is that they come up from behind two of my players, which ought to tell you a little about their backbone. Weak. Very weak. ... I wish I could have taken them in the back room. I would have kicked the snot out of both of them."

OK, when’s the last time you heard someone use the phrase “kick the snot out of both of them?”

So much for that 13-man pitching staff.

This isn't the way manager Dave Trembley wanted to return to a four-man bench. But it's done now that Adam Loewen has gone on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow soreness - though he said last night that he felt discomfort in his forearm.

Close enough.

The Orioles purchased Eider Torres' contract from Triple-A Norfolk, giving them a spare middle infielder. Good for him. He's had a great start to the 2008 season and earned a look, though the Orioles already have another bench player, Brandon Fahey, who can fill in at shortstop and second base.

If Scott Moore's bat was awake, he'd probably be here. I hear his timing is off at the plate.

As I mentioned earlier, I feel sorry for Loewen. He wants so badly to pitch. He has a lot of bulldog in him. But his left arm - from the shoulder on down - won't let it happen. If it isn't last year's elbow surgery, it's a sore shoulder in spring training.

The Orioles don't seem to believe the latest discomfort is related to Loewen's elbow surgery, but since he's feeling discomfort in the elbow and forearm area, you can't help but connect the two.

I asked you to play manager in an earlier blog entry. Why not do it again? Would you replace Loewen with Matt Albers or Jim Johnson?

Personally, I'd go with Albers. Johnson is thriving in his role, and I believe Albers has more upside as a starter. But feel free to disagree.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (64)
                    

I’m here to confess my sins. Well, one of them. It’s not like you have all day.

I fell asleep last night with the Mariners leading, 5-1.

Before you go easy on me, I rolled over and made myself fall asleep. It wasn’t by accident. I knew the risk I was taking. I even turned down the volume on my television.

I hate me.

I didn’t know the Orioles rallied to win until checking the reader comments that awaited my approval. The first posting began: “Last night’s victory…”

I assumed that I hadn’t stumbled across a Wizards blog by mistake.

I’ll let all of you decide my punishment. Perhaps I should be forced to:

- Get a marketing job with the Kansas City Royals.

- Stand behind Sidney Ponson in a buffet line.

- Make new reservations for every passenger whose flight was canceled on American Airlines.

- Wash the sheets in Aubrey Huff’s hotel room.

Meanwhile, for those of you keeping score at home, Adam Loewen has been bothered by pain in his left elbow, shoulder and forearm within the past year. But as far as we know, his oblique is fine.

I add “as far as we know” because nobody knew about his forearm until last night.

Loewen obviously tried to ignore the discomfort and pitch through the pain, not wanting to be sidelined again. It’s got to be frustrating for a young starter with so much potential to find it nearly impossible to stay on the mound.

Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, but the Orioles were right to give him extra rest and proceed with such caution. There’s more to his lack of fastball command than just mechanics or inexperience. And the Orioles have to get him healthy, no matter how long it takes. They have other options. He’s not their No. 1 starter. Shut him down and put Matt Albers in the rotation. Or bring up Garrett Olson.

If I’m wrong about this, you can punish me by making me:

- Question Miguel Tejada about his birth certificate.

- Count how many times Mel Kiper says “need pick.”

- Introduce Pacman Jones to my daughter.