Indians at Baltimore (Art Modell still sucks!)

Summary:

The first half of 2011 couldn’t have ended any uglier for the Orioles. The seven-game losing streak couldn’t drown out the thud that was an ejection-marred series against the division rival Red Sox. The clubs emptied the benches twice Friday and some high-and-tight pitches Sunday rounded out the four-game Boston sweep as both managers were ejected. Orioles players insisted they were sticking up for themselves, perhaps after a breaking point in which they felt like Boston was having its way with the Baltimore club. This season was supposed to be one where the Orioles finally challenged the elusive .500 win percentage. The team upgraded its offense in the offseason through trades — acquiring Mark Reynolds and J.J. Hardy — and via free agency — signing Derrek Lee and Vladimir Guerrero. But the sore spot has been the rotation, which looked strong after the season’s first two weeks. Now, the rotation is devoid of its most promising starters — with Brian Matusz, Zach Britton and Chris Tillman all in the minors. The only hope for the Orioles’ fan base — which hasn’t seen a winner since the 1997 season — is that the club will finish strong, like it did after manager Buck Showalter took over.

The Orioles were swept in Cleveland, April 15-17, by scores of 8-2, 8-3 and 4-2. Masterson and Tomlin each earned a victory.

Pitching matchups:

RHP Justin Masterson (7-6, 2.64 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (3-12, 4.23), Tonight at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Josh Tomlin (10-4, 3.81) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (9-6, 4.90), Friday at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Carlos Carrasco (8-6, 4.28) vs. RHP Alfredo Simon (1-2, 4.85), Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Jeanmar Gomez (0-1, 4.91) vs. TBA, Sunday at 1:35 p.m.

Oriole Injuries:

• RHP Brad Bergesen (right forearm contusion) left the July 8 game after being struck by a line drive. X-rays were negative, and he is day-to-day.

• LF Luke Scott (torn labrum in right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 4. A medical test July 8 found no need for surgery, and he is expected to be activated July 19.

• 2B Brian Roberts (concussion-like symptoms) went on the seven-day disabled list retroactive to May 17.

• INF Cesar Izturis (ulnar nerve injury in right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 17, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 21. He had surgery May 24. As of July 3, he was hitting and handling other baseball activities at the club’s spring training base. He might be able to start a rehab assignment after the All-Star break.

• RHP Justin Duchscherer (sore left hip, sore back) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22 and was moved to the 60-day list on April 18. He underwent a medical procedure April 7 to relieve back pain. He threw two innings in extended spring training May 13, but he was scratched from a scheduled May 18 appearance. He had another setback in extended spring training June 7, when he experienced gluteal spasms. He cut short another extended spring training outing June 16 because of pain in his left hip. On July 11, he was given clearance to resume workouts in Sarasota, Fla.

Oriole News/Notes:

• LF Luke Scott continues to make progress in his recovery from a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder. He is expected to be ready to come off the disabled list July 19, the first day he is eligible to return.

• RHP Justin Duchscherer was given clearance Monday by Orioles ortopedist John Wilckens to resume working out at the team’s complex in Sarasota, Fla. Duchscherer has been on the disabled list all season because of hip and shoulder injuries.

• RHP Mitch Atkins was officially welcomed to the American League East Sunday. After an impressive Orioles debut in his start at Texas last week, Atkins didn’t escape the second inning Sunday. He allowed six runs on seven hits—including three homers—in 1 1/3 innings.

• RHP Jeremy Guthrie was needed in relief Sunday, but is scheduled to start the opener of the second half Thursday. Guthrie fell to 3-12, despite giving up just one run on three hits over 3.1 innings. When the second half opens, he will be followed by RHP Jake Arrieta Friday and RHP Alfredo Simon Saturday. The remainder of the rotation was not announced Sunday.

• 3B Mark Reynolds left in the third inning after being hit on the right hand with a Kyle Wieland pitch. INF Robert Andino moved from second to third, and INF/OF Blake Davis entered to play second. Reynolds entered Sunday with 15 strikeouts in his previous 30 at-bats. The slugger has shown improvement in the first half in striking out less, but has been inconsistent offensively and defensively for much of the season.

• DH Vladimir Guerrero followed in 3B Mark Reynold’s footsteps, departing Sunday’s game in the seventh after he was hit on the right hand. Guerrero was 1-for-2 with an RBI before he departed. OF Felix Pie replaced him at designated hitter.

• LHP Zach Britton was surprised by his demotion Saturday, but the move could allow the Orioles to gain back the year of service time they planned to spare this spring. According to The Sun, the plan is for Britton to return June 30, providing him the necessary 20 days to gain back a year of service time. The Orioles initially planned to keep Britton in the minors through April, but they were forced to call him up when LHP Brian Matusz was hurt on opening day.