Chad Bradford

Chad Bradford, Orioles reliever What's it like watching Erik Bedard these days? A lot of swings and misses. It's unbelievable watching him. When he gets two strikes, it's just a matter of time before he puts somebody away. They may foul a few off but nobody is getting good wood on him.

The fans who suffered through the Orioles' 7-1 loss to Cleveland on Wednesday were robbed by Indians manager Eric Wedge of seeing a little baseball history. Indians history, anyway. Scott Lewis, 24, had thrown 96 pitches in eight shutout innings when Wedge brought in reliever Masahide Kobayashi to start the ninth. If Lewis had remained in and completed a scoreless inning, he would have become the first Indian to throw a shutout in his major league debut since Luis Tiant blanked the New York Yankees on July 19, 1964 - 44 years ago. Now that would have been something special.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- After compiling one of the best ERAs among National League relievers in 2006, Chad Bradford, a former 13th-round draft pick, hit his big payday this winter when the Orioles signed him to a three-year, $10.5 million deal. The submarining right-hander from Mississippi left the New York Mets, a team that lost in the National League Championship Series, to join the Orioles in the tough American League East. When did you start pitching submarine-style? -- It just kind of evolved.

The Orioles wandered into the danger zone again last night, clutching a slim lead like an over-stuffed purse, the late innings their dark ally. Teams usually try to win games at this juncture. The Orioles wanted to avoid another mugging. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays snatched away their three-run lead in the eighth, sending 15 batters to the plate against relievers Jim Hoey, Brian Burres and Chad Bradford, scoring 11 times and extending the Orioles' losing streak to seven games with a 15-8 victory before an announced 17,781 at Camden Yards.

Chad Bradford, Orioles reliever What makes Ichiro Suzuki one of the toughest outs in the league? Even when you feel like you beat him, he hits a ground ball and he can leg it out. He's tough. If you make a mistake, he's going to hurt you. And even if you don't make a mistake, he can slap it over the left side and leg it out.

The New York Yankees apparently are looking to trade Randy Johnson, who just happens to possess a no-trade clause in his contract. He'd probably surrender it for a chance to pitch on the West Coast. He won't be coming to Baltimore. Just to halt that rumor before it starts. I guess the Yankees need to make room for Carl Pavano, just in case he's ready to, you know, pitch. The Orioles remain in talks with the representatives for Craig Wilson and Aubrey Huff, but it doesn't appear that anything is imminent.

I just walked the boardwalk in Ocean City for the first time in many years. I haven't gotten any older, but man, everyone else sure is younger. I was going to play putt-putt golf before returning to my parents' place in Ocean Pines, but Michelle Wie was holding up the line. She kept hitting the windmill. Until John Parrish rediscovers his slider, and I mean the one from spring training and early in the season, he's going to struggle. He still has a minor league option remaining. He needs to become effective again or the Orioles could make a change.

The Orioles wandered into the danger zone again last night, clutching a slim lead like an over-stuffed purse, the late innings their dark ally. Teams usually try to win games at this juncture. The Orioles wanted to avoid another mugging. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays snatched away their three-run lead in the eighth, sending 15 batters to the plate against relievers Jim Hoey, Brian Burres and Chad Bradford, scoring 11 times and extending the Orioles' losing streak to seven games with a 15-8 victory before an announced 17,781 at Camden Yards.

Moves Baseball MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Suspended Twins P Juan Rincon 10 days for violation of joint drug prevention and treatment program. ANGELS: Placed IF Lou Merloni (ankle) on 15-day DL. Activated 2B Adam Kennedy from DL. ATHLETICS: Placed OF Nick Swisher (shoulder) on 15-day DL. Called up IF-OF Jermaine Clark from Triple-A Sacramento. Transferred P Chad Bradford (back) to 60-day DL. DEVIL RAYS: Placed 1B Travis Lee (groin) on 15-day DL. Purchased contract of OF Damon Hollins from Triple-A Durham.

Moments before his start last night, Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson made a slow walk from the bullpen, mouthing the words to the Metallica song that played over the loud speakers at Camden Yards. The song is called "Enter Sandman." and by the time Ponson was finished, the Orioles felt like they could all use a deep sleep. Such are the pains of watching their prodigal pitcher develop. The Oakland Athletics hit three home runs against Ponson in the third inning, and when the Orioles used three home runs of their own to take the lead, Ponson wasted little time squandering it. Fortunately for the Orioles, they had a second awakening after Ponson left the game.

Chad Bradford, Orioles reliever What's it like watching Erik Bedard these days? A lot of swings and misses. It's unbelievable watching him. When he gets two strikes, it's just a matter of time before he puts somebody away. They may foul a few off but nobody is getting good wood on him.

Chad Bradford, Orioles reliever What makes Ichiro Suzuki one of the toughest outs in the league? Even when you feel like you beat him, he hits a ground ball and he can leg it out. He's tough. If you make a mistake, he's going to hurt you. And even if you don't make a mistake, he can slap it over the left side and leg it out.

The Orioles trudged back to the clubhouse last night having officially hit rock bottom. It wasnt just another sweep in a season that has featured plenty of them. It was a three-game sweep at Camden Yards by the Washington Nationals, the team that was designated the Orioles geographic rivals by Major League Baseball. The team that was predicted by many to threaten the record for most losses in a season. The team that has a third of the Orioles payroll and features a pitching staff mostly picked off the scrapheap.

I just walked the boardwalk in Ocean City for the first time in many years. I haven't gotten any older, but man, everyone else sure is younger. I was going to play putt-putt golf before returning to my parents' place in Ocean Pines, but Michelle Wie was holding up the line. She kept hitting the windmill. Until John Parrish rediscovers his slider, and I mean the one from spring training and early in the season, he's going to struggle. He still has a minor league option remaining. He needs to become effective again or the Orioles could make a change.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- After compiling one of the best ERAs among National League relievers in 2006, Chad Bradford, a former 13th-round draft pick, hit his big payday this winter when the Orioles signed him to a three-year, $10.5 million deal. The submarining right-hander from Mississippi left the New York Mets, a team that lost in the National League Championship Series, to join the Orioles in the tough American League East. When did you start pitching submarine-style? -- It just kind of evolved.

The New York Yankees apparently are looking to trade Randy Johnson, who just happens to possess a no-trade clause in his contract. He'd probably surrender it for a chance to pitch on the West Coast. He won't be coming to Baltimore. Just to halt that rumor before it starts. I guess the Yankees need to make room for Carl Pavano, just in case he's ready to, you know, pitch. The Orioles remain in talks with the representatives for Craig Wilson and Aubrey Huff, but it doesn't appear that anything is imminent.

The fans who suffered through the Orioles' 7-1 loss to Cleveland on Wednesday were robbed by Indians manager Eric Wedge of seeing a little baseball history. Indians history, anyway. Scott Lewis, 24, had thrown 96 pitches in eight shutout innings when Wedge brought in reliever Masahide Kobayashi to start the ninth. If Lewis had remained in and completed a scoreless inning, he would have become the first Indian to throw a shutout in his major league debut since Luis Tiant blanked the New York Yankees on July 19, 1964 - 44 years ago. Now that would have been something special.

The Orioles trudged back to the clubhouse last night having officially hit rock bottom. It wasnt just another sweep in a season that has featured plenty of them. It was a three-game sweep at Camden Yards by the Washington Nationals, the team that was designated the Orioles geographic rivals by Major League Baseball. The team that was predicted by many to threaten the record for most losses in a season. The team that has a third of the Orioles payroll and features a pitching staff mostly picked off the scrapheap.

Moves Baseball MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Suspended Twins P Juan Rincon 10 days for violation of joint drug prevention and treatment program. ANGELS: Placed IF Lou Merloni (ankle) on 15-day DL. Activated 2B Adam Kennedy from DL. ATHLETICS: Placed OF Nick Swisher (shoulder) on 15-day DL. Called up IF-OF Jermaine Clark from Triple-A Sacramento. Transferred P Chad Bradford (back) to 60-day DL. DEVIL RAYS: Placed 1B Travis Lee (groin) on 15-day DL. Purchased contract of OF Damon Hollins from Triple-A Durham.

Moments before his start last night, Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson made a slow walk from the bullpen, mouthing the words to the Metallica song that played over the loud speakers at Camden Yards. The song is called "Enter Sandman." and by the time Ponson was finished, the Orioles felt like they could all use a deep sleep. Such are the pains of watching their prodigal pitcher develop. The Oakland Athletics hit three home runs against Ponson in the third inning, and when the Orioles used three home runs of their own to take the lead, Ponson wasted little time squandering it. Fortunately for the Orioles, they had a second awakening after Ponson left the game.