Erik Bedard

ATLANTA -- Kris Benson thought about the rough start he had just endured, and he likened it to another disappointing performance in an otherwise solid first half. The last time Benson, who relies so much on his control, had such poor command of his fastball was May 28 in Anaheim, Calif. Benson made that start, like the one yesterday, on three days' rest. Whether it was just coincidence, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo and Benson's catcher, Ramon Hernandez, did not know. Benson was pretty sure of one thing, however.

Cleveland -- The Orioles were already having a bad week when they arrived at Jacobs Field yesterday for their last series of the first half of the season. They had been outscored by 18 runs in three straight losses to the Chicago White Sox. And a rotation that had thrived for a time looked lost again. Kris Benson seemed as good a bet as anyone to ease his team's pain. He had been the Orioles' most consistent starter for most of the season. Orioles@Indians Tonight, 7:05, Ch. 13, 1090 AM Starters: Orioles' Erik Bedard (9-6, 4.44)

TORONTO -- He threw strikes, spotting his fastball and his curveball with pinpoint precision. He was frequently dominant yet never wild. And yes, Daniel Cabrera could have even been described as economical. His first appearance after a 3 1/2 -week demotion to the minor leagues, Cabrera was the pitcher that the Orioles hoped that he would grow into this season, perhaps even better, last night. He contained the Toronto Blue Jays over seven strong innings, long enough for the Orioles' offense to awake from its recent slumber.

Pennant fever returns to Camden Yards tonight, once again unpacking its bags and filling the cramped quarters of the visiting clubhouse. The New York Yankees' September series against the Orioles has turned into an annual celebration of the Haves and the Haven't-A-Clues. In the visitors' dugout tonight, they'll be talking about next month, and over on the first base side, talk is already geared toward next year. Sad, isn't it? Yankees@Orioles Tonight, 7:05, Comcast SportsNet, 1090 AM Starters: Yankees' Cory Lidle (3-2, 3.38)

When it's not even mid-September and you're closer to the bottom than the top, every step and every move is geared toward the future. It's a time of evaluation, and for a struggling team like the Orioles, not a single person on the payroll should escape some shrewd appraisal. Sam Perlozzo sat in the dugout and confronted microphones yesterday, seemingly oblivious to the fact that his merits as a manager had been a hot Internet topic all month. Anyone with a mouse and a screen name seems to have an opinion about Perlozzo's future as Orioles manager.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Another meaningless game at Tropicana Field - aren't they all here in September? - actually featured a feel-good story line for the Orioles, even if Erik Bedard didn't want to acknowledge it. Bedard, the Orioles' top starter, has said on numerous occasions this year that his only goal was to better his win total from the previous season, which was six. If he was serious - and one never knows with Bedard, who is typically guarded...

He paced around the mound shaking his head after one hit and then stared into the plush outfield grass after another. With poor command of his fastball and changeup, there was little Erik Bedard could do to turn around his fortune. True, Bedard's defense let him down on two occasions, possibly costing the pitcher as many as five runs. But that aside, it had been at least 3 1/2 months since the Orioles' top starter was treated so rudely by opposing hitters. Twins@Orioles Today, 1:35 p.m., Ch. 54, 1090 AM Starters: Twins' Matt Garza (2-5, 5.40)

CLEVELAND -- This time, it took only four pitches for the Orioles' suddenly vulnerable bullpen to turn a lead into a sizable deficit and for an important slump-breaking win to turn into another gut-wrenching loss. Brought in to preserve a one-run sixth-inning lead that starter Steve Trachsel had worked so hard to preserve, Jeremy Guthrie gave it up in no time, allowing a go-ahead, two-run single to Josh Barfield and a three-run, inside-the-park homer to Grady Sizemore that cost the Orioles the game.

His introduction last night didn't bring a loud ovation or a chorus of boos. Rodrigo Lopez's return to Camden Yards was greeted instead with a heavy dose of apathy, the fans barely acknowledging his presence, barely creating a sound. Lopez wanted nothing more than to silence his former club. He failed in the first inning, and a crowd that largely ignored him at the beginning cheered as he left the mound because of the two runs he allowed. Rockies@Orioles Today, 1:35 p.m., Ch. 13, MASN, 105.7 FM Starters: Jason Hirsh (2-6, 4.92)