For Orioles, could Endy justify the means?

When the injury to switch-hitter Wilson Betemit left the Orioles lighter from the left side of the plate, manager Buck Showalter told reporters at one of his pre-game news conferences last week not to discount the possibility that Endy Chavezmight fill that void.

Needless to say, there was plenty of room for skepticism based on Chavez’s performance over the course of this season. Going into Sunday’s game, his batting average at the major league level had been above .200 for a total of just four days, but since he returned from his outright assignment to Norfolk, he has been a different hitter.

He had two hits in his first game back last weekend and – after going hitless in five at-bats during the first two games of the Oakland series – reached base all five times he came to the plate Sunday and tied a career high with four hits.

Don’t know what Showalter knew, but it’s gotten to the point where it is foolhardy to doubt anything he says.

Showalter has placed his trust in several journeymen players this season and just about all of them have stepped in and made an important contribution at a pivotal moment. Guess it is just Endy’s turn.