Monday, April 28, 2008

Orioles Team Report Apr 28, 2008

For the second time in this still young season, a rainout on Friday and an ensuing doubleheader on Saturday threw manager Dave Trembley into a quandary trying to make decisions about adjusting his starting rotation.

The manager doesn’t want to have either Brian Burres, who was outstanding in the first game on Saturday, or Steve Trachsel, who was far less impressive in the second game, pitch on short rest, which dictates the call-up of at least one minor leaguer.

Trembley must decide whether to use one of his long relievers, most likely right-hander Jim Johnson, who has been a starter throughout his career, or call up one of the pitchers from Class AAA Norfolk, most likely left-hander Garrett Olson, who was ordered by the Orioles to have a much abbreviated start on Saturday.

“I’m probably closer to Wednesday,” Trembley said. “I’m not closer to Tuesday, but if I had to name a starter now, it would be somebody in the bullpen… If we don’t make another move, I would say that he might be a frontrunner for the Wednesday spot-start.

The thinking is that it will be Olson, who had a rough two-inning stint on Saturday when he allowed four walks and three hits on 41 pitches in two innings, but who prior to that had a 1.61 ERA in four starts.

“Everybody knows what we did with Olson. We only let him pitch a couple of innings. I think he’s probably smart enough that somebody told him why he had an abbreviated start,” Trembley said with just a hint of sarcasm.

White Sox 6, Orioles 1: Jeremy Guthrie gave up two solo home runs to Paul Konerko that left the Orioles trailing 2-1 one batter into the sixth inning. Another hit brought in Matt Albers, who was burned by a series of misplays that allowed two runs to score. Greg Aquino gave up two more

Notes, Quotes

• RHP Jeremy Guthrie couldn’t get an out in the sixth inning Sunday and his record fell to 0-3. Two of the five hits he allowed were home runs by Paul Konerko, but blame for the loss should fall to the defense, as well as the Orioles’ dormant bats.

• 1B Kevin Millar, batting .228 overall and .179 with runners in scoring position, was given his first off day of the season Sunday. The veteran felt it was a good time for a break both physically and mentally. Now, only Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts have played in every game.

• LHP Brian Burres pitched eight innings in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday and allowed three hits and no runs. It was the longest outing of his career and netted his third win, half of his previous major league total.

• LF Jay Payton returned to the lineup Sunday after having gotten his average up to .308 from the .174 of April 15. Payton started pushing his average up with three consecutive pinch hits and has hit consistently since, but he was 0-for-4 on Sunday.

• RHP Randor Bierd, the Rule 5 draft pickup from the Tigers, gave up the first run of his career on Saturday which led to the first loss of his brief time in the major leagues. He has pitched 13 innings in eight appearances.

By The Numbers: 30—RHP Daniel Cabrera didn’t walk a batter in his April 23 start at Seattle. It was the first time in 30 starts that the still developing right-hander did not issue a base on balls.

Quote To Note: “Obviously, you’d have to use some common sense. I have to look down the road. I understand there is an interest from fans and everybody wants to know, but I can’t give answers to things that I don’t have answers for and I don’t like to speculate because I get myself in trouble when I change my mind. So I’d rather not change anything.”—Manager Dave Trembley, about what he’ll do with adjust his starting rotation.

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