Jason Berken loses again to make his record 1-8.

It could’ve been worse for Berken. He gave up 4 runs in the first inning, but settled down and only gave up one more run the rest of his time in the game on a Jorge Posada homerun. He ended up going 6 innings giving up 5 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. At this point I would keep him in the rotation a little longer and remove Rich Hill to make room for Chris Tillman. Cla Meredith made his Oriole debut today, hitting a batter and giving up a single, but he got out of the inning without giving up a run because he struck out Derek Jeter and got Mark Texeira to hit into a double play. George Sherrill struck out the side in the 8th, but not before giving up a run on 3 hits and a walk.

The Orioles scored 4 runs, but it was too little too late. In the 7th inning we got 2 runs on a Nick Markakis sacrifice fly and a wild pitch. In the 9th Adam Jones and Markakis hit back to back homeruns but that would be it. Jones had a great game, his first 4 hit game of the season, with 2 singles, a double, and that homerun. Gregg Zaun continued to bring a hot bat off the bench, going 2 for 3 with a walk. Luke Scott and Robert Andino each had a single and a walk.

Player of the game: Adam Jones (4-5, 2 R, RBI, double (18), HR (14) (.307 AVG))

The O’s have a much needed day off tomorrow before heading into Boston on Friday. Brad Bergesen (6-4, 3.51) goes against Brad Penny (6-4, 5.02).

Rich Hill loses to even his record at 3-3.

Something needs to happen with the starting rotation. Both Hill and Jason Berken have been struggling mightily for over a month. I think its time to bring Chris Tillman up for one of them and maybe David Pauley up for the other. I would try to pass Hill through waivers, I don’t think anyone will claim him right now. He couldn’t make it out of the 4th inning last night. He couldn’t even record an out in the 4th inning before getting pulled for Brian Bass. He gave up 5 earned runs on 3 hits and 4 walks in 3 innings. Hes just relying too much on his curveball because he can’t locate his fastball, but hes hanging his curveball way too much. Bass came in and gave up a run of his own in the 4th. He was struggling with his control but he ended up going 2.1 innings only giving up the 1 run on 2 hits and 3 walks. Matt Albers pitched great in an inning and 2/3rds scoreless and Mark Hendrickson pitched in a scoreless inning.

The Orioles got their 4 runs on an RBI single by Nick Markakis, an RBI groundout by Adam Jones, and a 2 run single by Melvin Mora. We were facing a pitcher who hadn’t thrown a pitch in the majors for almost two years, we should’ve been able to do more damage against him. Markakis and Brian Roberts each had 3 hits in the game. Roberts with his 32nd double and his 20th stolen base. Markakis also saved a run in the field when he threw out Derek Jeter at the plate, his 10th outfield assist. Aubrey Huff and Matt Wieters added singles, but it wasn’t enough.

Player of the game: Brian Roberts (3-4, 2 R, double (32) (.284 AVG))

Jason Berken (1-7, 6.44) tries to keep his spot in the rotation today against Maryland native AJ Burnett (8-4, 3.81).