Jamie Walker

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -Not satisfied with his fastball command and still not at his maximum pitch count, Orioles ace Jeremy Guthrie went to the bullpen after his outing yesterday to get in a few more throws. "I wanted to locate four or five balls on the outside part of the plate, which I didn't do very consistently in the game," said Guthrie, who threw three scoreless innings in the Orioles' 4-2 victory over the Florida Marlins at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. "I threw four of them, and all of them were right where I wanted.

A day after watching reliever Lance Cormier serve up a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said yesterday that he was done holding open auditions to fill Matt Albers' role. With Albers out until at least late August with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, Trembley will establish hard-throwing right-hander Dennis Sarfate as the team's primary bridge in the sixth and seventh innings to top setup man Jim Johnson and closer George Sherrill. "Sarfate is probably the best one right now," Trembley said.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Erik Bedard doesn't assume that he'll be the Orioles' starter on Opening Day. He's only throwing like it. Bedard retired all six batters he faced yesterday, getting strikes on 16 of his 20 pitches, in a 3-0 victory over the Florida Marlins. "You start off like that, it feels good," he said. "I was trying to throw strikes. Not even trying to nibble on the corners or anything. Just trying to get everything over the plate and see what they could hit. "I used everything.

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo still hasn't decided whether he can afford the luxury of carrying two left-handed relievers in his bullpen this season. If Jamie Walker is deemed sufficient, Perlozzo most likely will choose among Todd Williams, Jeremy Guthrie and Rob Bell for the two available openings. Otherwise, John Parrish or Kurt Birkins could be the second left-hander. Dodgers@Orioles Today, 1:05 p.m., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

BaseballExpos: Recalled P Carl Pavano and IF Jose Vidro from Triple-A Ottawa.Padres: Activated 3B Ken Caminiti and P Mark Langston from DL. Placed IF Archi Cianfrocco (right oblique strain) on 15-day DL, retroactive to May 21. Designated P Ben VanRyn for #F assignment.4 Reds: Recalled P Eddie Priest from Indianapolis.Red Sox: Sent OF Trot Nixon to Triple-A Pawtucket. Called up IF Keith Johns from Pawtucket. Moved P Kerry Lacy from 15- to 60-day DL.Royals: Activated DH Hal Morris and P Hipolito Pichardo.

So, who makes your list of Orioles relievers for 2007? Chris Ray. Jamie Walker. Danys Baez. Another new guy. John Parrish. Kurt Birkins. Hayden Penn. If they go with these seven, I'm omitting Rodrigo Lopez, who remains one of the Orioles' most marketable players despite those 18 losses, Aaron Rakers, James Hoey, Sendy Rleal and Todd Williams. I think Hoey needs more time in the minors - perhaps Triple-A Norfolk - before returning to the Orioles. He gave us a sneak peek. Now let his education resume at a lower level.

Brian Roberts and Corey Patterson continue to rank among the American League leaders in stolen bases, but O.J. Simpson says most of them belong to him, and he wants them back. Jamie Walker now holds the Orioles' single-season record for appearances with 77. Here's hoping that next year, he can return to his intended role - left-handed relief specialist. Right-handed hitters are batting .283 against him, compared with .223 for left-handers. The bullpen doesn't need a complete overhaul, but the Orioles must find a closer and an eighth-inning guy. Jim Hoey could develop into the latter, but not yet. roch.

Orioles reliever Jamie Walker was fined an undisclosed amount Thursday by Major League Baseball for his comments about umpire Angel Hernandez, who called a balk against Walker that negated a pickoff Tuesday in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Among other things, Walker said: "I don't know if he had money betting on the game or what, but that's a horses - - call." In a prepared statement, Bob Watson, MLB's vice president of on-field operations, called the comments "an inappropriate, unnecessary attack on umpire Hernandez's professionalism.

The first punishment came from Aubrey Huff, who sprinted out of the dugout and jumped on the back of Nick Markakis. Then Melvin Mora ran and leaped on Markakis and other Orioles around first base. Finally, Markakis emerged from the celebration to do a post-game interview and he promptly got a shaving-cream pie thrust in his face, courtesy of reliever Jamie Walker. Blue Jays@Orioles Tonight, 7:05, MASN, 105.7 FM Starters: Josh Towers (1-1, 2.03) vs. Adam Loewen (1-0, 3.95)

BaseballBraves: Agreed to terms with OF Wonderful Monds and P Jamie Walker.Royals: Agreed to terms with P Doug Linton.BasketballFlorida (CBA): Activated G Rodney Monroe (St. Maria Goretti) from IR.CollegeDayton: Suspended F Rodney Horton indefinitely for conduct and attitude detrimental to team.Kansas State: Named Ron Hudson offensive coordinator and Mike Stoops defensive coordinator.Stephen F. Austin: Suspended men's basketball freshman G Chris Colter indefinitely for missing a class.FootballCowboys: Named Jack Reilly to newly created position of quarterbacks coach.