Loewen caught the attention of catcher Ramon Hernandez, manager Dave Trembley and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells after shaking his hand on his second-to-last pitch. Loewen assured Hernandez that he was fine despite having what the catcher described as "that pained face." He tried to throw again and had to leave.

"You see it happen here every year and I don't know why," Hernandez said. "Starters, relievers, they always start getting hurt. Every year since I've been here, it's been like that."

Not anymore.

Loewen left today's game in the fifth inning with discomfort in his elbow. The disabled list beckons.

Can it get any worse for this bullpen?

If the Orioles place Loewen on the DL, they could purchase left-hander Alberto Castillo's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. He's 3-1 with a 2.05 ERA in 19 games, with six walks and 26 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings. A scout from another organization was raving about him yesterday, saying he's ready to help a major league club right now and has been getting lefties and righties out. Supposedly, Castillo's breaking ball is outstanding, though I've never seen him pitch.

Just throwing a name out there.

Brian Roberts didn't make it. In protest, he has a single, home run, two runs scored and two stolen bases today.

Roberts still could be chosen through the All-Star Game Final Vote. But I'm guessing Evan Longoria makes it.

Fernando Cabrera might have to go two innings today. We'll probably see Adam Loewen, as well.  Manager Dave Trembley said Sherrill will pitch the ninth.

Think Liz is going deeper than five innings in this game? Think the middle relief issue is going to crop up again?

Significant.

Liz's fastball has hit 97 mph, and he's gotten some big strikes with his changeup. I'm not sure why he threw a 3-2 slider to Chris Davis in the third inning tha resulted in a walk, but he struck out Max Ramirez to end the inning.

The Rangers tied the game on a wild pitch. Catcher Ramon Hernandez tried to backhand a ball that bounced directly in front of him.

Reliever Jamie Walker wanted to return before the break, but he’s more likely to report to Single-A Frederick and begin a throwing program while the Orioles are in Boston next weekend, with an eye toward being activated for the Tigers series that begins July 17.

Before today’s game, the Orioles and the family of Shannon Obaker, the club’s director of community outreach who passed away in January 2007 at age 29 after a long and courageous battle with cancer, will present a check for $50,000 to the University of Maryland Medical Center, establishing an endowment called "Shannon's Fund.” It promises to be an emotional moment for many of us.

Funds will be donated to hospital patients and their family members as need arises to assist with the general expenses associated with the treatment process, including hospital parking, alternate housing, food costs and household bills.
 
Money for the endowment was collected through proceeds of the sale of Brian’s Bracelet, the baseball seam bracelet created by second baseman BRIAN ROBERTS, as well as memorabilia sold at Orioles FanFest and a donation from the Orioles Charitable Foundation. Money raised from the online sale of photographs from today’s Kids Run the Bases promotion also will benefit Shannon’s Fund.

The Orioles will continue to contribute to the fund via proceeds collected from future charitable endeavors and OriolesREACH initiatives. You can purchase the bracelets at briansbracelet.com and at the team store.

I knew Shannon for many years, and if there was a sweeter, more genuine person on the planet, I never met her. And she had the best laugh ever. Unmistakable and highly contagious. I hope some of you had a chance to meet her. She lit up a room. I miss her dearly and think of her often.

My father often says, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," and if you know Shannon's family, you understand why she turned out to be so special.

Those wishing to make contributions in Shannon’s memory should make checks payable to Orioles Charitable Foundation and mail to:

Shannon’s Fund
c/o Orioles Charitable Foundation
333 West Camden Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
 

Nick Markakis - RF

Aubrey Huff - 3B

Ramon Hernandez - C

Luke Scott - DH

Kevin Millar - 1B

Jay Payton - LF

Adam Jones - CF

Freddie Bynum - SS

Radhames Liz - P

Lance Cormier hadn't allowed a run in his last two appearances covering six innings, but he fell behind, 3-0, to the first batter he faced, Ian Kinsler, in the sixth and served up a two-run homer that gave Texas a 4-3 lead.

Rangers starter Scott Feldman - and a quick show of hands if you know much about this guy - gave up a two-run double to Nick Markakis in the first inning and didn't allow another hit until Brandon Fahey's single in the fifth.

The Orioles got a two-out bunt single from Melvin Mora and Adam Jones walk in the sixth. Manager Dave Trembley sent up Luke Scott as a pinch-hitter for Guillermo Quiroz, who didn't look all that happy to walk back to the dugout from the on-deck circle. Scott popped up to end the threat.

Lance Cormier was warming in the third, but he sat down. Manager Dave Trembley would love to squeeze five innings out of Burres.

Burres hasn't gone more than six innings since May 22.

What are the alternatives for the rotation? Cormier would probably be the next choice. There aren't many options. 

Burres is tied for the team lead in victories with six despite a 5.09 ERA. Maybe that gives him a little more rope. But manager Dave Trembley's patience is being tested. 

Bierd will appear in five games with the Baysox through July 17th before the Orioles re-evaluate him.

Down on the farm, Single-A Frederick's Billy Rowell came within a triple of hitting for the cycle. His fourth home run was a tremendous shot to center field. Brandon Snyder and Chris Vinyard also homered, and Jake Arrieta struck out 10 in five innings.

Greg Aquino had his contract purchased from Triple-A Norfolk, and manager Dave Trembley hopes to use him as a seventh inning guy.

Pitching coach Rick Kranitz said Aquino's stuff plays at this level, especially his slider, which is a strikeout pitch. Perhaps the long stretches of inactivity hurt Aquino during his first stint with the club, when he posted a 14.21 ERA in six games.

Here's the lineup:

Brian Roberts - 2B

Jay Payton - LF

Nick Markakis - RF

Aubrey Huff - DH

Kevin Millar - 1B

Melvin Mora - 3B

Adam Jones - CF

Guillermo Quiroz - C

Brandon Fahey - SS

Brian Burres - P

Vicente Padilla is a 10-game winner? Sure didn't look like it today. In 2 2/3 innings, he allowed eight runs and nine hits, walked two batters and struck out none. He threw 74 pitches, 47 for strikes.

Before the game, manager Dave Trembley indicated that he might bat Adam Jones second against certain left-handers during the second half of the season. But he's not inclined to make any drastic changes with Jones swinging so well near the bottom of the order.

You know, if it ain't broke...

Another RBI for Aubrey Huff today. That's 53 and counting.

Two doubles and an RBI for Brandon Fahey today. Adam Jones scored standing up on the first double because Freddie Bynum had his arms raised, telling Jones not to slide. Bynum didn't realize the play was going to be so close.

The ball arrived at the same time as Jones, who motored past catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, oblivious that he was almost tagged out until after his foot came down on the plate. Jones turned his head and looked back at Saltalamacchia.

And I only tell this story because I love to type the name Saltalamacchia - over and over. 

Kevin Millar has twice gone to 3-2 counts in two at-bats and produced a walk and RBI single. He walked on the 13th pitch of the first at-bat.

Freddie Bynum - SS

Nick Markakis - RF

Aubrey Huff - DH

Ramon Hernandez - C

Luke Scott - LF

Melvin Mora - 3B

Kevin Millar - 1B

Adam Jones - CF

Brandon Fahey - 2B

Jeremy Guthrie - P

We've been told that Chris Ray pitched a simulated game Wednesday after having two batting practice sessions, but he's not close to appearing in a real game. He's continuing his mound progression, and it's doubtful that he'll return in late August or early September.

Ray hasn't suffered any setbacks, according to manager Dave Trembley, but the reliever's timetable appears to be a little different than the one envisioned by the ballclub. Ray wants to come back in 2008. It sounds like Trembley would prefer having him pitch in the instructional league and get ready for next season.

Nick Markakis - RF

Aubrey Huff - DH

Ramon Hernandez - C

Luke Scott - LF

Melvin Mora - 3B

Kevin Millar  - 1B

Adam Jones - CF

Brandon Fahey - SS

Jeremy Guthrie - P

Still no Freddie Bynum in the lineup.

I'll have an update shortly on reliever Chris Ray, who continues to rehab his right elbow at the minor league complex in Sarasota, Fla. All I know so far is he hasn't faced live hitters.

The Orioles are wearing blue Fourth of July O's hats. Not a good color with the black and orange jerseys.

If the Orioles wanted to put on a proper fireworks display later tonight, they should invite Jorge Julio to pitch the ninth inning.

Back to him in a moment...

Anyone want to share their favorite Fourth of July baseball memory?

Julio, now pitching for Triple-A Richmond, couldn't close out the Braves' 6-5 win over Norfolk last night. He entered in the ninth with a 6-4 lead and allowed a leadoff double to Luis Hernandez and a one-out walk to Eider Torres. Scott Moore's grounder delivered a run, and Julio was done after uncorking a wild pitch and walking Oscar Salazar to put runners on the corners.

Mike Costanzo flied out to end the game.

Rocky Cherry and Esteban Yan combined for five scoreless innings. Salazar has a 14-game hitting streak.

Nolan Reimold hit two more home runs for Double-A Bowie, giving him six in five games. He's hitting .283 with 15 homers and 44 RBIs, and reminding us why he was deemed a top prospect before injuries slowed him.

I assume that he'll move up to Norfolk at some point during the second half, though the No. 1 goal with Reimold since before spring training was to keep him healthy and playing, no matter where.

At Single-A Frederick, Randor Bierd made his third, and perhaps final, appearance on his injury rehab assignment. He hasn't allowed a run or hit in three innings with the Keys, walking two and striking out seven. The Rule 5 pick rules the Carolina League.

What's going on with Billy Rowell? He's 1-for-31 over his last 10 games and is batting .213 with three homers, 28 RBIs and 15 errors. 

It's necessary to remember that Rowell doesn't turn 20 until Sept. 10 (two days before my birthday, if anyone wants to start shopping early). He's still a kid. And we used the "only 19" excuse plenty of times to explain Brandon Erbe's struggles at Frederick last year. I know that I, personally, wore it out.