WASHINGTON -- There were times last night when Adam Loewen looked completely ready for the season to begin. In consecutive at-bats in the fourth inning at Nationals Park, Loewen struck out Cristian Guzman and Lastings Milledge.
But such moments were fleeting as Loewen authored another performance that is certain to raise concern about how he'll fare when he makes his first regular-season start Friday against the Seattle Mariners. The Orioles' 23-year-old left-hander allowed 10 base runners and three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in the Orioles' 3-0 loss to the Washington Nationals.
Loewen surrendered five hits, walked four and hit a batter, though he did strike out six. He threw 93 pitches, only 53 of them for strikes. In the first inning alone, Loewen threw 34 pitches, walking two, hitting a batter and allowing two hits, an RBI single by Nick Johnson and a run-scoring double by Austin Kearns.
"It started out rough," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "It didn't look like he got into a rhythm until about the third. After the third, he was OK. He's got to throw more strikes early in the game. I don't think there's anything wrong with him physically. He just needs to pitch. He just needs innings."
In six exhibition starts, Loewen, who had his left elbow surgically repaired in June, has a 7.56 ERA and has allowed 19 hits, walked 19 and hit three batters in 16 2/3 innings. His fastball command has been his downfall. However, Loewen insists there have been plenty of positives, including his outing last night.
"Being cold, the ball was kind of slick [and] I had to get used to that," Loewen said. "The last couple of innings, I felt everything went fine. I could have totally folded in the second inning, but I didn't. There was a lot of positives, I think.
"I feel like I'm ready coming off an injury. I feel like I've done everything that I needed to do to be ready for the first pitch. I think the more and more I throw, the better it's going to get and it has."
Huff has some fun
Aubrey Huff wasn't sure how the fans would respond to him at FanFest yesterday, but he decided he was going to have a little fun either way. Huff came out to the field at Camden Yards wearing a shirt that said, "I love Baltimore."
The shirt was a response to his derogatory comments about the city on a radio show this offseason, which earned him a healthy fine and the ire of Orioles fans.
"It was actually pretty fun. I didn't get one negative comment today," Huff said. "If you can't make fun of yourself, who can you make fun of? [The comments] were something that I shouldn't have said, but I'm human. I made a mistake. And I figured I might as well have a laugh about it."
Still mulling decision
The Orioles have until 3 p.m. today to set their Opening Day roster, and it appears they might need every minute. Trembley said yesterday that he still hasn't decided who will get the final roster spot - outfielder Jay Gibbons or utility player Scott Moore.
"With all the events going on today, I really haven't had any opportunity to talk to my coaches or Andy MacPhail about that," Trembley said. "Hopefully tomorrow, I'll be able to do that and make the right decision and do what's best for the Baltimore Orioles."
Gibbons' future with the club was probably the most popular topic at FanFest yesterday. He is owed $11.9 million over the next two seasons, and the club will still be on the hook for that money if it releases him. However, Moore clearly outplayed Gibbons this spring and offers Trembley more versatility.
Around the horn
Outfielder Tike Redman, who was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, informed the club that he will accept the assignment. ... The Orioles placed utility player Freddie Bynum and pitchers Danys Baez, Fernando Cabrera, Chris Ray and Jim Hoey on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 21. ... Trembley said it's still possible the club could make a waiver claim that would affect the Opening Day roster. ... Trembley still wouldn't announce his Opening Day starting shortstop or his lineup. ... About 10,000 fans attended FanFest.
jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com