Rays overcome early 2-0 deficit, defeat Orioles

Tampa Bay 6 Baltimore Orioles 2

Recap Box Score


The Baltimore Orioles looked like they might take control of the game right off the bat after a 2-run double by Kevin Millar, but those were the only runs they would score in a 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay (don't call me Devil) Rays.

A Melvin Mora fielding error led to the Rays first run to cut the Orioles lead to 2-1, then B.J. Upton would put the Rays up for good with a 2-run single and the Rays never looked back. Eric Hinske homered for the Rays in the 4th, his first of the season.

Jeremy Guthrie, who the Orioles were hoping would take the #1 spot in the rotation and run with it since the departure of Erik Bedard, struggled mightily in his first start. He went 5 1/3 innings, giving up 6 runs (5 ER) on 9 hits a walk and 2 strikeouts. Opposite Guthrie, James Shields had an impressive first start, getting the win for the Rays. He went 7 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 2.

Contrary to last season, the Baltimore Orioles' bullpen was surprisingly strong. Matt Albers and Brian Burres combined for 3 1/3 shutout innings after Jeremy Guthrie departed, giving up just 1 hit.

The two teams will play the 2nd of the 3 game set in Baltimore tomorrow. Matt Garza will go for the Rays, Daniel Cabrera for the Orioles. Game time is 7:05pm EST.

Bedard to Mariners finally done

Erik Bedard is officially on his way to Seattle to become the newest member of the Seattle Mariners.

After a lengthy delay, the deal was finally done early Friday morning. Baltimore received outfielder Adam Jones, reliever George Sherrill and pitchers Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio.

Bedard will be a heck of a 1-2 punch behind ace Felix Hernandez and in front of former Angel Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista.

Will Roberts follow Bedard, Tejada out the door?

With Erik Bedard, seemingly, a Seattle Mariner pending him taking a physical in Seattle and with Tejada now in Houston as an Astro, will Brian Roberts be the next one to go?

According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles should try to get the best deal possible for the 2nd baseman. Only one problem, owner Peter Angelos has been reluctant to approve any deal involving Roberts. There was a rumored deal, last month, that was vetoed by Angelos that would have sent both Roberts and Erik Bedard to the Chicago Cubs.

Ken Rosenthal had a tid-bit about a Roberts deal yesterday afternoon, saying the Cubs and Orioles have had talks, though infrequently, over the last month but that the Orioles are asking for Felix Pie who the Cubs will not entertain moving.

Orioles have interest in Josh Fogg

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports, the Baltimore Orioles have interest in free agent right-hander Josh Fogg, especially since a void will be left if or when left-hander Erik Bedard is dealt to Seattle.

The other team that has interest in Fogg is the Minnesota Twins, especially since they dealt Johan Santana to the NY Mets.

Target date set for Bedard trade

2.4.08 8:37pm PST

According to Spencer Fordin of MLB.com, the target date for the completion of this deal is midweek. Apparently, Erik Bedard has not yet flown to Seattle to complete his physical but is expected to do so later this week.

2.4.08 12:04pm PST

ESPN.com is reporting Adam Jones, the 22 year old outfield prospect from Seattle is in Baltimore to take a physical.

Jones is the centerpeice of the Mariners offer to Baltimore for Erik Bedard. If he passes, it could bring an end to the soap-opera sorrounding the trade of the lefty ace to the Seattle Mariners for Jones, reliever George Sherrill and pitching prospects Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio.

If all goes well with the physical, a trade could be completed within the next 24 hours.

Bedard trade nearing conclusion

ESPN.com is reporting Adam Jones, the 22 year old outfield prospect from Seattle is in Baltimore to take a physical.

Jones is the centerpeice of the Mariners offer to Baltimore for Erik Bedard. If he passes, it could bring an end to the soap-opera sorrounding the trade of the lefty ace to the Seattle Mariners for Jones, reliever George Sherrill and pitching prospects Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio.

If all goes well with the physical, a trade could be completed within the next 24 hours.

Wilkerson signs with Mariners

Jim Street of MLB.com reports, free agent Brad Wilkerson signed a 1-year $3M contract with the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.

That signing could mean that the trade between the Mariners and Orioles for left-hander Erik Bedard could be done in the next few days.

Sources: Bedard to Mariners deal close

According to sources, young Mariners' prospect Adam Jones has apparently flown to Baltimore to complete a physical, meaning a deal between the Mariners and Orioles for left-hander Erik Bedard is close to being done.

Neither team has made a statement confirming or denying it.

Angelos killed Roberts/Bedard deal?

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Orioles' owner Peter Angelos killed a deal between the Cubs and Orioles, a reported 7-for-2 deal.

The trade would have sent 2nd baseman Brian Roberts and left-hander Erik Bedard to Chicago for 7 minor league prospects.

Another source says that there was no such deal and says there were no serious discussions between the two teams. It's well known that Roberts is a favorite of Angelos' and has been reluctant to trade him.

Players headed for arbitration

MLB.com has a list of players that have filed for arbitration but did not come to an agreement with their respective teams.

Among that list is Angels' closer Francisco Rodriguez, Phillies' 1st Baseman Ryan Howard, Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard, Yankees' right-hander Chien-Ming Wang and Padres' shortstop Khalil Greene.

Arbitration hearings will take place February 1st through the 20th.

MLB Notes

Here are some of the latest news from Jim Molony of MLB.com:

Oakland - The A's appear unlikely to trade right-hander Joe Blanton prior to the start of the 2008 season. According to a team source, the A's would need to get a lot more in return than what's currently being offered.


Baltimore - The Orioles are still being linked to the Seattle Mariners in talks for left-hander Erik Bedard. The Orioles have been trying to get reliever Brandon Morrow in the deal but will settle for 2007 Minor League Pitcher of the Year Chris Tillman. Baltimore also wants reliever George Sherrill in the deal as well.


Braves: Atlanta Braves GM Frank Wren is hoping to announce Mark Kotsay as their new center fielder sometime this afternoon. Wren says they're also looking for another reliever, "There's a couple of deals that we're working on right now and a couple of things that we'll continue to talk about until we feel that we've exhausted many of the offseason discussions."

Also, the Braves feel confident that they will get left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez back from Tommy John Surgery sometime in June, though they want to add more experience to a young bullpen.


Pedro Feliz - The Brewers, Phillies and Dodgers are said to be interested in Feliz. He has told the Giants that he wants a 3-year deal to return to San Francisco, they countered at 2-years and seem prepared to fill the position internally, possibly with Kevin Frandsen.

O's, Mariners close to deal?

1.10.08 8:45am PST

Ken Rosenthal has an update. The Orioles and Mariners are apparently close a deal that would send left-hander Erik Bedard to Seattle.

Mariners' top prospect, Adam Jones, is the highlight of the package from Seattle. The other players being talked about are left-handed reliever George Sherrill and 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Triunfel.

1.8.08 11:03pm PST

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mariners and Reds are making a push for Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard.

The Mariners are willing to trade their top prospect, Adam Jones, while the Reds would rather not part with theirs, Jay Bruce.

Mariners, Reds making push for Bedard

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mariners and Reds are making a push for Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard.

The Mariners are willing to trade their top prospect, Adam Jones, while the Reds would rather not part with theirs, Jay Bruce.

Mariners look elsewhere for pitching

After losing out to the Dodgers for Hiroki Kuroda, the Mariners could pursue a trade for Baltimores' Erik Bedard but could also look into free agents Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva.

Reds close to a deal for Bedard?

12.10.07 12:55pm PST

John Fay of the Reds Insider has an update on the Reds pursuit of Erik Bedard. According to his information, people inside the organization say the possibility of landing Bedard is 75%.

When the Bedard rumors started, did anyone guess the Reds would be the team to land him?

12.8.07 8:01pm PST

According to John Fay of the Reds Insider, the Cincinnati Reds could still pull off a deal for Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard.

The package that the Reds could put together would include Homer Bailey, Joey Votto and another top prospect.

Reds still after Bedard?

According to John Fay of the Reds Insider, the Cincinnati Reds could still pull off a deal for Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard.

The package that the Reds could put together would include Homer Bailey, Joey Votto and another top prospect.

Dodgers could acquire Erik Bedard

Though the Winter Meetins wrapped up today, there are still plenty of rumors floating around. One of them is the possibility of the Dodgers making a deal with Baltimore for left-hander Erik Bedard.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, after the Dodgers signed Andruw Jones yesterday, they could flip outfielder Matt Kemp, top pitching prospect Clayton Kershaw and outfielder Andre Ethier to the Orioles. The only trouble LA might run into is Orioles' owner Peter Angelos, who is not the easiest guy to make deals with.

Mets, Reds after Erik Bedard

Reds Insider John Fay reports that the Reds are going hard after Orioles' ace Erik Bedard. The rumor is the Reds could be offering Homer Bailey, Joey Votto and one other player, though the Orioles could ask for Jay Bruce to be the 3rd player, the Reds don't want to give him up however.

The Mets offer is Aaron Heilman, Carlos Gomez and Philip Humber though the Orioles rejected the offer, according to Marty Noble of MLB.com

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Mets close to acquiring Erik Bedard?

During a radio interview on WFAN, beat writer Sweeney Murti “There is news floating around that the Mets are close on Erik Bedard.”