A night after being so short-handed that he needed utility infielder Robert Andino to play center field for just the second time in his career, Orioles manager Dave Trembley's bench was back to full strength.
That meant All-Star Adam Jones returned to the lineup for the first time since Sunday after being held out because of back soreness.
Felix Pie, who had started five straight games in center field in Jones' absence, was available for Saturday night's game after being removed Friday with tightness in his left hamstring, though he didn't start with left-hander Jeremy Sowers on the mound for the Cleveland Indians. And first baseman Michael Aubrey, who hadn't been available the previous two games with soreness in his rib cage, was cleared to play but was not in the Orioles lineup.
"Obviously, we feel fortunate that we got Jones back and that Pie's OK and Aubrey's OK," Trembley said.
All three players arrived at Camden Yards early Saturday afternoon to take some swings and put themselves through a light workout to show whether they were able to play. Pie, who is batting .386 with four homers and 10 RBIs in his past 15 games, is expected to return to the lineup today.
"He's able to play," Trembley said. "He's not playing today because I'm putting a right-handed-hitting lineup in. You'll probably see Pie play left field tomorrow with a right-hander going."
Baines, Wagner honored
Saying he appreciated how the Orioles and their fans had always treated him like a family member, former designated hitter Harold Baines officially became the 46th member of the team's Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
Baines, who spent seven of his 22 major league seasons with the Orioles and had three separate stints with the club, was enshrined during a ceremony that included appearances by Cal Ripken Jr., Ernie Tyler, Al Bumbry, Dick Hall and Chris Hoiles.
"Any kid who grew up in Maryland would feel that it was a great dream to play in an Orioles uniform," said Baines, a native and current resident of St. Michaels.
Former community relations director Julie Wagner was honored as the recipient of the Herb Armstrong Award, given to nonuniformed personnel who have made a significant contribution to the ballclub.
On the winning side
Orioles reliever Cla Meredith didn't know exactly how many games it had been since he last pitched in a victory. He was aware that he had gotten few opportunities to protect a lead for either his former team, the San Diego Padres, or his current club, the Orioles.
