Bergy on Bergy (updated twice)

Bergy on Bergy (updated twice)
Mike Gonzalez walked the first batter he faced on four pitches, and Don Kelly smacked a two-run homer to give Detroit the lead. But Robert Andino hit a two-run shot off the batters eye in center in the bottom of the seventh. Orioles 9, Tigers 8. Andino connected off Ryan Perry for his second homer (three if you count the first intrasquad game.) Brad Bergesen said he was "out of whack" today. "That was very evident," he said. "I never really felt like I got in a groove. Just started...

Bergy's done for the day (updated)

Bergy's done for the day (updated)
Brad Bergesen is expected to pitch the opener at Camden Yards on April 9. It would be nice if a different Brad Bergesen showed up. Bergesen was charged with six runs in five innings to raise his ERA to 5.59. He allowed five hits, walked four, struck out three and surrendered three home runs. Bergesen threw 93 pitches, 52 for strikes. I'll go downstairs and talk to Bergesen after he's done running. Maybe he can explain what happened. Bergesen got in a groove for a while, retiring 10 of...

Make that two for Cabrera (updated)

Make that two for Cabrera (updated)
Miguel Cabrera has just destroyed another pitch from Brad Bergesen, this time homering over the batters eye in center field. We're assuming that the ball landed on the other side, but it still might be in the air. Detroit 6, Orioles 4. Cabrera stood at home plate and admired his work in the first inning, but center fielder Adam Jones struck the pose on the second home run. Jones just turned around and watched the flight of the ball. He remained in the same position, with his back to the...

Bergy through three (updated twice)

Bergy through three (updated twice)
Brad Bergesen has retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced. Bergesen allowed a one-out double to Austin Jackson in the second ining, but he struck out Johnny Damon and retired Magglio Ordonez on a sharp grounder to the mound. He threw 16 pitches, 10 for strikes. Miguel Cabrera, who launched a pitch into the parking lot beyond the left field fence in his first at-bat, grounded an 0-2 pitch to short in the third inning. Carlos Guillen struck out and Brandon Inge grounded to...

If you blinked... (updated)

If you blinked... (updated)
...you missed Brad Bergesen giving up four runs without recording an out. Bergesen walked the first two batters. Maggio Ordonez followed with a two-run double to deep center field, and Miguel Cabrera launched a monstrous two-run homer to left. Cabrera posed at home plate before finally breaking into his trot. File that one away for his next at-bat. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz has gone to the mound with the count 2-0 on Carlos Guillen and still nobody out. Bergesen has thrown 21...

Tillman talks about his demotion

Tillman talks about his demotion
The Orioles will announce the full round of roster cuts later today, but Chris Tillman holds the biggest name in a bunch that also includes infielders Justin Turner and Scott Moore. So there's no confusion, some players will remain in the major league camp despite being assigned to the minor league side. Simon, for example, is scheduled to start on Friday against the Yankees. Tillman was expected to be the No. 5 starter, but that assignment goes to David Hernandez. "I could kind of see it...

Cuts coming (updated again)

Cuts coming (updated again)
The Orioles will make more roster cuts after batting practice. Manager Dave Trembley won't be available to the media before the game because he has important business to conduct. The current roster stands at 38 with Joey Gathright's addition. Update: Chris Tillman, Alfredo Simon, Alberto Castillo, Ross Wolf, Jeff Salazar, and Adam Donachie will be included in the cuts. I'll have quotes from Tillman in my next entry.

Catching on

Catching on
We expect to find out about the starting rotation later today, but we're not sure whether manager Dave Trembley will unveil his 25-man roster. He'll probably make us wait a little longer, but it's pretty clear that Craig Tatum has beaten out Chad Moeller for the backup catching job. That was one of the few competitions in camp, and Moeller was the clear favorite when he arrived. So what happened? The Orioles apparently fell in love with Tatum's arm. They already loved Moeller's head -...

Hernandez leaving camp for a few days

Hernandez leaving camp for a few days
David Hernandez was supposed to pitch on Friday, but he's flying to California after tomorrow's workout to attend his grandmother's funeral. He'll follow Brian Matusz to the mound on Saturday. We're expecting to be told later today that Hernandez is the No. 5 starter. And Craig Tatum is looking like the choice as the backup catcher. Make that two surprises this spring. Nolan Reimold met with manager Dave Trembley this morning and was told not to read too much into the Opening Day...

Gathright returns (with pitching updates)

Gathright returns (with pitching updates)
The Orioles have signed outfielder Joey Gathright toa minor league contract and invited him to spring training. He's expected to report later today. Seems a little late, doesn't it? The Blue Jays released Gathright over the weekend. He'll provide depth for the Orioles at Triple-A Norfolk, where Lou Montanez and Jeff Salazar also are expected to play the outfield. Maybe we can talk him into jumping over cars in the players parking lot. Jason Berken will start tomorrow's game against the...

Orioles lineup

Orioles lineup
Brian Roberts 2B Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Miguel Tejada 3B Garrett Atkins 1B Luke Scott DH Lou Montanez RF Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP Tatum caught Brian Matusz in yesterday's intrasquad game, and he's catching Bergesen today. Should we read anything into it?

Yankees 11, Orioles 7

Yankees 11, Orioles 7
Luke Scott hit a two-run homer to left field in the ninth inning to complete the game's scoring. He connected off left-hander Royce Ring. He bats from the left side. There's really nothing left for me to say. Here's manager Dave Trembley on pitcher Jeremy Guthrie: "The two pitches that he threw to (Alex) Rodriguez to strike him out in the first inning were probably two of the better pitches he's thrown all spring." Is Trembley worried about Guthrie? "No." Why? "He makes real...

Quick game update

Quick game update
Patrick Egan, who pitched at Single-A Delmarva, Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie last year, moved over from the minor league camp to work the ninth inning tonight. He struck out the first two batters he faced and served up a home run to catcher P.J. Pilittere. Egan regrouped and recorded another strikeout. You know it's spring training when... Yankees 11, Orioles 5. Nolan Reimold has three more hits tonight, including two doubles. He came within an inch of hitting a home run in the...

Guthrie on Guthrie (and game update)

Guthrie on Guthrie (and game update)
Tonight's attendance: 8,208. That's an Ed Smith Stadium record for baseball. Mark Hendrickson only gave the Orioles two-thirds of an inning, and it included David Winfree's three-run homer. Yankees 8, Orioles 4. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz instructed Jeremy Guthrie to "ramp it up" tonight in preparation for the regular season. That might explain Guthrie's wildness. It's a theory. "I wasn't able to get in a zone like I needed to get in a zone, and the result was a lot of walks, hit...
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Guthrie's done for the night

Guthrie's done for the night
Jeremy Guthrie has been replaced by Mark Hendrickson after allowing five runs (four earned) in five innings. I posted the rest of his line in my previous entry. I have Guthrie throwing 93 pitches, 53 for strikes. Guthrie has surrendered 19 runs (17 earned) and 28 hits in 20 2/3 innings this spring, with 13 walks and 16 strikeouts. His ERA actually dropped from 7.47 to 7.40, but he'll be 0-4 unless the Orioles rally to take the lead. He's projected to be the No. 2 starter coming out of...

Teixeira update (and game update)

Teixeira update (and game update)
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is day-to-day with a bruised right elbow. A Yankees spokesman said X-rays weren't taken on Teixeira's arm, which surprises me. I figured it was automatically done. Orioles team orthopedist Dr. Tim Johnson and a Yankees physician examined Teixeira. Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie struck out the side in the fifth. He's allowed five runs (four earned) and three hits, walked four, struck out seven and hit two batters. He's thrown 93 pitches, 53 for strikes, by...

Guthrie update

Guthrie update
The Yankees loaded the bases against Jeremy Guthrie with no outs in the fourth inning. They must want him to pitch from the stretch, like Rick Kranitz did with Brian Matusz in the intrasquad game. Nick Johnson struck out looking before David Winfree, who replaced Mark Teixeira and shouldn't be confused with David Winfield, grounded to first. Yankees 5, Orioles 1. Guthrie began the inning by hitting Francisco Cervelli, and shortstop Cesar Izturis complicated it by committing an error....
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B-Rob's first hit

B-Rob's first hit
After striking out in the first inning, Brian Roberts doubled off the fence in right field with one out in the third. Bring on Opening Day. Roberts had struck out in all four plate appearances before pulling a 1-1 pitch from Yankees starter Javier Vazquez. Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie retired the side in order in the third, including a strikeout of Robinson Cano, who hit a three-run homer off him in the first. Guthrie threw eight pitches, seven for strikes.
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Long blast against Guthrie (updated)

Long blast against Guthrie (updated)
Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer off Jeremy Guthrie with two outs in the first inning. Yankees 3, Orioles 0. Nick Johnson walked and Mark Teixeira singled with one out. Alex Rodriguez struck out with the count full, but Cano launched a pitch over the left-center field fence. We have a 24-mph wind blowing out. Not sure it mattered. Guthrie threw 19 pitches, nine for strikes. Update: The struggle continues. Guthrie hit Mark Teixeira on the right elbow with two outs in the second inning...

More pre-game Trembley

More pre-game Trembley
Orioles manager Dave Trembley has told players where they'll bat on Opening Day, but he'll continue to move guys around during the final week of spring training. "You always have to have other plans and other backups," he said. "You've got to keep playing with it and use spring training for your benefit. Spring training is to have options, experiment, move guys around. I'm not trying to decoy anybody. I'm not trying to keep you guys (reporters) guessing. It's a long season. You're...