O's Player of the Game - Pitcher David Hernandez. He followed up an excellent outing at Yankee Stadium with one today at Fenway Park. This afternoon he pitched a career-high seven innings and allowed just five hits with one run. He did not walk a batter and fanned two. In the two starts at New York and Boston he gave up two runs and eight hits over 13 innings for an ERA of 1.38. Over his last four starts, Hernandez is 2-0, 2.45. Those four starts all came on the road at Los Angeles,...

The first loud ovation during pre-game introductions was reserved for young pitcher Brian Matusz as he jogged down the orange carpet. He's already a fan favorite after nine major league starts. Matt Wieters gave him a run for his money as the starters were introduced. You want loud? Just call out Brooks Robinson's name and bring him out of the dugout. Miguel Tejada caught the ceremonial first pitch from Brooks. Garrett Atkins set the target for Boog Powell. Always nice to be reminded of...

On May 19th, Brad Bergesen took the mound at Yankee Stadium. His record was 1-1 and his ERA 5.27. For most of the night, Bergesen dueled with CC Sabathia pitch for pitch. When he left in the 7th he was trailing by just 2-1. Two of his inherited runners would score and his final line showed four runs allowed over 6 1/3 and his ERA increased to 5.35. But that may have been Bergesen's breakout game. He showed he could go pitch for pitch with the Yankees' ace in New York. Since that night,...

Game Preview Kansas City (38-59) at Orioles (42-55) After completing a grueling 2-7 road trip with a win on Sunday, the Orioles return home to Camden Yards. Tonight the Birds begin a seven-game homestand with the start of a four-game series vs. Kansas City. Tonight's pitching matchup features Rich Hill (3-3, 7.64) pitching for Baltimore vs. former Oriole lefty Bruce Chen (0-5, 6.58). The O's ended their road trip with Sunday's 6-2 win at Boston. That snapped Baltimore's five-game...

He now has the best ERA among all O's starters. And in the last week, David Hernandez pitched back-to-back games at New York and Boston, giving up just two runs and eight hits over 13 innings. "It's a real positive to go into Boston and New York and get two quality starts. It will help me in future starts. You know you can compete," Hernandez said. What's been the key to his recent outings? "For me it was my fastball command. I was able to command it yesterday and in New York. I...

While the Orioles were just 2-7 on the last road trip, within those nine games, mostly losses, they saw some solid performances from young players. For instance, Nolan Reimold went 7 for 10 in the Boston series and hit .429 on the trip. David Hernandez gave up just two runs in back-to-back starts at New York and Boston. Matt Wieters has quietly put some hits together and now has a four-game hit streak. I asked Dave Trembley today how does he put all that in perspective. The team suffers...

LHP Rich Hill (3-3, 7.64) tonight will make his 13th start of this season, his 5th at home and his 2nd this year vs. Kansas City. Over his last five starts, Hill has pitched to an ERA of 10.64 (26ER in 22IP). Hill took the loss Tuesday at New York, giving up five runs and four walks over three innings. He threw 82 pitches. Hill has recorded just three quality starts and has pitched more than six innings just three times. Right-handed batters hit .301 vs. him and lefties hit .256. Hill...

It's a thankless job, that of the long reliever. Tonight O's fans should thank Brian Bass for restoring order to this game. After Rich Hill left trailing 3-2 in the third, Bass came on and got out of that mess. He got Pena and Freel to strand two and keep the O's down one. They have since tied the game. Bass tonight pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings of four-hit ball. He had allowed 7ER in 8IP in July, but tonight he restored order to this game and the O's have a chance to win. If they...

Billy Butler had his first career five-hit game and added 3 RBI as Kansas City beat the Orioles 5-3 Monday night. It was game one of the series and a seven-game homestand. Butler was 5 for 5 with three singles, two doubles and two runs. The Royals broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the seventh. Butler led off with a double, his fourth hit of the night. He was on third with two outs when Brayan Pena hit a slow roller to third. He beat it out for an RBI infield hit and the lead. Dave Trembley...

After giving up three runs in just 2 1/3 innings tonight, Rich Hill told reporters he's been dealing with shoulder soreness throughout the season. "I don't know what to say really. I've been having some issues with the shoulder. We've been doing a good job of keeping the fire down a bit. Unfortunately it's something where I haven't been able to maintain any consistency. I haven't given help to this team. I apologize to the front office and the guys in this clubhouse. "It's not...