He added that the Orioles have no plans to reach down to Double-A Bowie for top pitching prospect Chris Tillman. The Orioles are monitoring Tillman's teammate, Bradley Bergesen, for a possible September call-up.
Slowed to a halt
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has been slowed by a sore ankle, but the speedy leadoff man said this week that it's not the reason he has been virtually immobile on the bases recently. Roberts, who had 50 steals last season, has 28 this year but just one in two attempts in his previous 22 games.
"Sure, there are times, like in 2005, when we're swinging the bats great and you're probably not going to steal as many bases," Roberts said. "Then there are times like last year. We didn't hit very well and we had to try to make things happen. But this year, the middle of our lineup has been great. If a guy goes fast to the plate, it may not be the time to take a chance."
Roberts has been caught stealing 10 times this year, but that hasn't deterred him from running, either.
"I've always said I'd steal 50 a year if you want me to," he said.
"I'd run every time I get on, and we'll see what happens. But that's not the point of it. ... I'm here to do it when it counts."
Around the horn
Former closer Gregg Olson will be inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame during a ceremony before tonight's game. The club will also honor longtime traveling secretary Phil Itzoe and superfan William "Wild Bill" Hagy, who died last year. The ceremony is scheduled to start at 6:40.
childs.walker@baltsun.com jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com
