But he didn't know that the previous 33 games that he had pitched in before Friday night had been losses, one of the quirkiest streaks in baseball this season. It came to an end when Meredith, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres on July 19 for utility infielder Oscar Salazar, pitched the sixth inning in the Orioles' 13-4 victory Friday night. It was the first time Meredith had pitched in a game his team won since May 25, when his Padres defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-7.
"It's not something that I really get too worked up about," said Meredith who entered Friday night with a 5.60 ERA in 16 appearances since joining the Orioles. "It's one of those things where it's been tough. Any reliever, any guy that is competitive wants to help the ballclub win. For some reason or another, I haven't gotten an opportunity [to hold leads] as much as I used to. Sometimes, it's hard to pitch constantly in roles that aren't as, I guess, nail-biting as others. You learn just to try to get outs whenever you get the ball. That's all you can do."
Gathright traded from Tides
The Orioles traded Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Joey Gathright to Triple-A Pawtucket of the Boston Red Sox organization in exchange for a player to be named or cash. The move makes it likely that Norfolk outfielder Jeff Fiorentino will be called up to join the Orioles when major league rosters expand Tuesday.
Gathright, a 28-year-old who the Orioles acquired from the Chicago Cubs on May 8 in exchange for outfielder Ryan Freel, hit .329 with 20 RBIs and 24 steals in 80 games with the Tides.
Around the horn
Outfielder Nick Markakis was due to get Saturday night off, but those plans changed with the health question marks of Jones and Pie. Markakis was allowed to come to the ballpark a couple of hours later than the rest of the club. ... Trembley confirmed that pitching prospect Jake Arrieta and infield prospects Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder will not get September promotions. ... Injured pitcher Koji Uehara will throw off the mound Monday for the first time during his throwing program. ... With his three hits and career-high four RBIs on Friday, Matt Wieters became the first Orioles rookie with at least three hits and four RBIs in the same game since Sept. 22, 2001, when catcher Geronimo Gil had three hits and five RBIs against the New York Yankees.
