Bats

All three of Aubrey Huff's at-bats yesterday for the Orioles against the Washington Nationals ended with him sending the ball to left field, rather than pulling it. "The fact that he bats good against left-handed pitching was one of the things that made him attractive to us, also," Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said. "Like I said before, he always worried me when I brought a left-hander in to face him. I knew he was no easy out. He scared me out there no matter what we had out there. We need that kind of guy."

NEW YORK -- Buddy Bell, the 55-year-old Kansas City Royals manager, was standing behind the batting cage before the game Sunday, discussing why he is stepping down after the season to spend more time with his family. Bell, who had a health scare last year when it was discovered he had a cancerous tonsil, talked about his daughter, who has Down syndrome, and his 80-year-old mother as primary reasons for wanting to go home to Cincinnati and get out of the all-consuming managerial rat race.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- They said that once the offense got going, everything would change. The starting pitchers would work quicker and have the confidence to throw more strikes. The relievers would enter games with less pressure and more margin of error. And the defense would be sharper and less prone to mental errors. It was only the lowly Kansas City Royals that the Orioles pounded last night, but for a team that has had so many problems putting it all together for the first two months of the season, there's no room for asterisks.

Quote: "There was probably 30 people in the stadium who wanted me up in that situation. And they were all wearing Seattle uniforms." -- Indians' Chris Turner, looking for his first major-league RBI since 1997, who was batting Monday night when Jose Mesa's wild pitch allowed the winning run to score in the 12thIt's a fact: The Devils Rays were 5-0 in Chuck Finley's first five starts, but are 0-9 in his last nine.Who's hot: Jacque Jones of the Twins, called up June 9, has hit safely in eight of the first 11 games he's been in the major leagues.

Quote: "It's a nice acknowledgment from the fans, but I can't say I take a lot of pride getting fisted off the hands and getting applause for it. I'd rather do something and feel a little more deserving of it."-- Brewers pitcher Jim Abbott, who was born with only one hand, on receiving a standing ovation after grounding out to third in one of two at-bats in St. Louis. He took a called third strike in his other at-bat.It's a fact: Dating to last season, the Cardinals have homered in 12 consecutive games.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Orioles acquired Albert Belle for his numbers but could hardly anticipate the relative power drought he has so far endured.The Orioles right fielder has nine home runs and a team-leading 31 RBIs, numbers that project to well over 30 home runs and 115 RBIs for the season. But by Belle's own definition, they are below par.Few, if any, individual statistics this season rank with Belle's one double in 157 at-bats. A year after slamming 48 doubles with the Chicago White Sox, Belle has one fewer double than utility infielder Jeff Reboulet in 105 more at-bats.

400 -UP- Off the DL, Cal Ripken needed two days and five at-bats to become the 29th player to hit 400 home runs Thursday night. He handled the long-awaited moment with grace. Unfortunately, one fan in left field handled the drive with his face. The ricochet landed a law student a signed bat, spikes and an audience with the Iron Man. The other guy got a broken nose and stitches."Dysfunctional" clubhouse -DOWN- Leave Ray Miller a de facto 22-man roster, mix with two one-run losses in Detroit and look out.Matt Riley - UP- As of today, the 20-year-old organizational prize is in the house and in the rotation.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Reiterating his concern over a less visible role, catcher Lenny Webster said yesterday that his December request for a trade remains in effect should the club find it impossible to guarantee him regular playing time given the addition of four-time Gold Glove winner Charles Johnson.Part of the crush of pitchers and catchers that reported to Fort Lauderdale Stadium yesterday, Webster said, "I proved to people last year I can play on a daily basis. I put up numbers and thought I'd earned a shot.

Though he hasn't set an exact pitch count, Orioles manager Ray Miller said he'll proceed with caution tonight regarding Mike Mussina, who makes his first start since being hit behind the right shoulder by a line drive on Aug. 22."He hasn't been out there in a while so I'll be careful with him," Miller said. "He did simulate three innings in Minnesota and it went pretty good the other day [during a bullpen session]. I don't know what I'll be looking for. I won't push him to 100 [pitches]."The sight of Mussina returning to the mound is pleasing enough Mussina to Miller, who found further proof of his ace's value to the club with a flip of the stat sheet.

Quote: "The only weird part was standing out there on the mound for the anthem." -- Yankees pitcher Mike Stanton, who made his first start after 552 straight relief appearances.It's a fact: The Twins' Torii Hunter, who has not grounded into a double play in 107 at-bats this year, flied out into one in the second inning yesterday.Who's hot: The Yankees' Bernie Williams has an 11-game hitting streak and has nine hits in his past 19 at-bats.Who's not: The Angels' Troy Glaus, who was hitting .359 last month, has two hits and 11 strikeouts in his past 27 at-bats and is batting .282.

The number of bats that have tested positive for rabies in Baltimore has increased this summer, according to city officials, who are also seeing a rise in complaints about bats from homeowners. "This time last year, we had three positives," said Bob Anderson, director of the city's Bureau of Animal Control. "So far this year, we have five and we have another 12 waiting for testing. That could make six. "I don't want to alarm people, but six is a big leap." There have been more than 100 calls to animal control so far this summer, and 60 bats have been captured and tested for rabies, he said.

Orioles left fielder Felix Pie's cleats are going to Cooperstown. And he hopes to visit them this offseason as part of the Baseball Hall of Fame's exhibit on players hitting for the cycle. "I'm excited, happy. I never knew that anything was going to happen in my life like that," said Pie, who has not stepped foot in the Hall of Fame. "I'll go check it out this year." On Friday night, Pie became the fourth player in franchise history - and the seventh major leaguer this season - to hit for the cycle, joining teammate Aubrey Huff and Orioles Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr. Pie, who has played sparingly this season, doubled in the first, homered in the third and singled and tripled in the seventh.

DETROIT - - For his first time as a baseball player, professional or otherwise, Adam Jones looked at the lineup card Tuesday and saw his name listed fourth. "I said: 'Oh, sweet. Hitting fourth for the first time,' " Jones said. Orioles manager Dave Trembley was hoping for a specific reaction. "When he came in today and he saw his name in the fourth spot, I [wanted] him to say, 'Darn, I know I can do this.' " Trembley said. "But I want him to know that I know that." Trembley said his main reason for the shake-up was to separate left-handed hitters Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff against lefty Jarrod Washburn.

Robert Andino was back in the Orioles' lineup Saturday, this time as a fill-in starter at shortstop and not the regular he had been for the past five weeks. That's fine with the 25-year-old, because he knew the situation when the Orioles traded Hayden Penn to the Florida Marlins for him this spring. He came in as Cesar Izturis' backup, and that's his role again now that the veteran has returned from a June 5 appendectomy. "Honestly, to have the opportunity I had, I am just happy to be here," Andino said.

For the third consecutive game, Orioles manager Dave Trembley shuffled the top of his lineup, swapping No. 2 hitter Adam Jones with No. 3 hitter Nick Markakis. With left-hander Jason Vargas on the mound for the Seattle Mariners, Trembley said he wanted to break up his left-handed and right-handed hitters and try something different against a lefty. Heading into Tuesday, the Orioles were batting .259 against left-handers, 10th of 14 teams in the American League. "We have not hit very well against left-handed pitching.

Eligible to be activated from the disabled list Wednesday, Orioles outfielder Ryan Freel agreed to extend his rehabilitation assignment two more days to get some more at-bats. Freel, who was put on the disabled list after he was hit in the head by an errant pickoff throw from the Boston Red Sox's Justin Masterson, started the assignment Friday for Double-A Bowie. He has managed to play in three games, going 1-for-9 with two RBIs, because the Baysox were rained out Sunday through Tuesday.

The Orioles acquired the trio this offseason for vastly different reasons. They wanted shortstop Cesar Izturis for his glove, catcher Gregg Zaun for his leadership and left fielder Felix Pie for his all-around potential. They weren't pursued for what they would do offensively in 2009. Any offensive boost provided would be considered a bonus. A month into the season, the regular bottom three in the Orioles' lineup has produced the worst combined offensive statistics for similar batters in the majors.

Ryan Freel's seemingly ill-fated Orioles career took another hit when he unhappily returned to Baltimore from the Eastern Shore after club doctors refused to clear him for a rehabilitation assignment at Single-A Delmarva. Freel, who was hit in the head with a pickoff attempt against the Boston Red Sox on April 20 and was placed on the 15-day disabled list against his wishes with a nonconcussed head injury, was supposed to play at least three games with the Shorebirds. But when he arrived, he was directed to take an impact test, a cognitive memory and concentration exam often given in post-concussion cases.

In an organization that has been burned by rushing prospects, the case of outfielder Nolan Reimold is a study in patience. For him and for the Orioles. Drafted out of Bowling Green in the second round in 2005, Reimold has progressed level by level. Wherever he has been, the 6-foot-4 right-handed swinger has garnered attention with his raw and consistent power. Now 25, Reimold is in his first month at Triple-A, and he's again making noise with his bat. Last week, he was named International League Batter of the Week after going 13-for-28 with a homer, nine RBIs and a .515 on-base percentage.

Orioles infielder Ty Wigginton isn't worried. He has been in this situation plenty of times before. In his first 50 at-bats of 2009, Wigginton had just 11 hits, all singles, and was batting .220 heading into Thursday. "Am I concerned about the slow start? Not in the least bit," said Wigginton, who has been starting at third base with Melvin Mora on the disabled list. "I know if I get my [at-bats] by the end of the year, the numbers will be there." How slow of a starter is Wigginton? Of the 199 active major leaguers who have had at least 300 at-bats in March/April, Wigginton's .237 average is 182nd.