Quick Hits - O's Win in 10 -- Fast O's News & the Rundown...

The Baltimore Orioles once again played extra innings in rainy and ugly conditions at the Yard last night, but this time came out victorious against the Kansas City Royals by with a 2-1 win. The game was won in the 10^th inning, as Jay Gibbons drove in Brian Roberts for the game winning-RBI.

The offense for the Birds was once again lacking, as they only scored a single run until the start of the 10^th inning.

Steve Trachsel, who was the subject for criticism of many fans in the offseason and in spring training, came through again for the Orioles with another great start and pitched a one-hitter into the sixth inning, but gave up a run in the bottom of the frame. However, the game was tied in the 7^th inning, as Paul Bako drove in Kevin Millar with a double.

The bullpen once again delivered for the Orioles as Chad Bradford and Jamie Walker came in for one out each in the 8^th inning, and Danys Baez pitched the end of the 8^th and the 9^th inning.

Closer Chris Ray came into the game in the 10th inning to get the win.

Gil Meche has had a great to start to the season, left Thursday's outing with a strained hamstring. However, Meche says that he should be ready for his next start.

However, the day started off with bad news. Pitcher Jaret Wright was placed on the DL and it looks like Jeremy Guthrie will be plugged into Wright’s spot, while the team brought up reliever Brian Burres from Norfolk.

Spencer Fordin of the Orioles.com believes that Wright could be back at the end of the month.

Notes:

• The Orioles bullpen rules. Ok, we are only 10 games into the season, but the difference between this year and last year are apparent.
• The lackluster offense. The starting pitching has been nothing short of amazing, but Sam Perlozzo cannot be going to the bullpen every game. If the offense does not start putting runs on the board, the bullpen will suffer
• Steve Trachsel. Right now, he’s been a diamond in the rough. Perhaps I and everyone should give him a chance, as he is a MLB veteran. He’s not Johan Santana, but he’s not the 2006 version of Rodrigo Lopez (uh, yet..)
• Gil Meche. Perhaps he might be worth $55 million dollars yet after all? (ok, so he’s only pitched 2 games
• Just got done watching the game on MLB.tv, and the Yard looks very empty – almost scary. It is alarming what I saw Opening Day in comparison to now. The Orioles *have* a lot of work to on and off the field to bring the fans back. Winning will help, but right now, it's more than the wins and losses keeping people away. The fans showed up on Opening Day, but where are they now?
  

Erstwhile Sun sports writer and blogger Roch Kubatko has a recap of last night’s game as does the Washington Post’s Jorge Arangure.

I’m in agreement with Peter Schmuck, when he says the O’s rotation has been nothing but awesome, but the offense is lackluster. The baseball season is a marathon, and not a sprint, so the Orioles bats may around; however, it will have to be sooner rather than later.

More on an Old Friend, Brooks Robinson: Oriole Legend and Hall of Famer, Brooks Robinson has joined the minor league ownership group of Opening Day Partners, formerly Keystone/Maryland baseball, which has been existence since 1982 and consolidated itself into the parent company of ODP. The group at one time owned the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Frederick Keys, the Bowie Baysox and the Hagerstown Suns. (the Examiner)