(2-11) O's win 1 vs. A's! Hot Pie goes to DL

If you notice, there's been a theme to the last few blog posts. The template is something like the following: Orioles swept (or almost swept) by ___ (fill in the team), lose ___ (enter player's name) injured, put on the DL. But at least the O's ended a 9 game losing streak today, even if they did lose the first 3 games in the series. Ty Wigginton is on a roll by the way.

David Hernandez struggled in every inning of Game 1, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings. On the bright side, he struck out 6 and walked only 1, but he still fell to 0-2. Kam Mickolio allowed a run in his season debut and Adam Jones provided most of the offense, going 3 for 5 with a double, triple, and an RBI. The O's lost 6-2.


Kevin Millwood's ERA stands at 2.89, but his record at 0-2 after 6 innings of 4 runs (3 earned), 0 walks, and 9 strikeouts! Who saw this coming? The O's only runs came off a 2 run homer by Wigginton, although Nick Markakis, who is also heating up, added 2 doubles in the 4-2 loss.

Jeremy Guthrie also lowered his ERA to an impressive 3.15, allowing just 2 runs (1 earned and you can see that some errors are being made) on 6 hits over 6 2/3 innings. He left with the game tied thanks to a 2 run single by Garrett Atkins and the O's pulled ahead with a sac fly by Wigginton, but James Johnson was unable to convert his first save opportunity, giving up 2 runs and losing the game 4-3. Miguel Tejada, who was 3 for 3, left the game with an injury but does not expect to go on the DL...fortunately.

Brian Matusz remained the only Oriole with a win as he picked up his second, ending the losing streak and striking out 8 more in 6 1/3 and allowing 3 runs. Johnson recovered and picked up a 2 inning save, helped by Wigginton's 4 RBIs from a double and HR, and 2 hit performances from Jones, Markakis, and Cesar Izturis.

Felix Pie was placed on the 15 day DL. He had been hitting .400 and will be replaced by Lou Montanez.

Markakis is among the league leaders in doubles with 5 and is 8 for his last 25. Wigginton has 4 home runs and 10 RBIs in his last 23 at bats, in which he has 8 hits. Guthrie is among the league leaders with 20 innings pitched. Matusz leads the AL with 23 strikeouts and Millwood is not far behind with 21. Will Ohman has not allowed a run in 7 appearances.