WHERE'S THE OFFENSE?
Perhaps the Orioles hitters are just tired of playing meaningless games and are ready to flip the switch on Opening Day tomorrow. That, at least, has to be manager Dave Trembley's hope. The offense continued its struggles last night, managing just two hits, both singles. Jay Payton led off the second inning with a single to left field, and Luke Scott had an infield hit in the sixth inning that was basically a swinging bunt. The Orioles had at least 10 hits in 10 of their first 11 games this spring but in just three of their final 18 games of the exhibition season.
ERRORS MOUNT
As much as the Orioles' offense has struggled lately, their defense has been even worse. The Orioles made 27 errors in 29 exhibition games. Young shortstop Luis Hernandez was the biggest culprit, making seven of them, including one last night. Hernandez went to his backhand to field Dmitri Young's grounder in the third inning, and the ball hit off the heel of his glove, enabling Young to reach. Then in the fifth inning, center fielder Adam Jones mishandled Nick Johnson's single, enabling Johnson to take second base and Ryan Zimmerman to go to third.
NICK THE QUICK
Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis stole 18 bases last season, and he hopes to be even more aggressive on the base paths this year. It wasn't evident in Grapefruit League play as he stole only one base, but it certainly was last night. Markakis worked Nationals starter Jason Bergmann for walks in the first and third innings and followed each walk by stealing second. However, he got no farther. Scott grounded out to first with two runners on to end the first inning, and Kevin Millar and Scott struck out in the third.
ON DECK
The Orioles will have their final workout today at 3 p.m. at Camden Yards before tomorrow's season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. In that game, Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie will oppose Rays right-hander James Shields. Trembley is expected to unveil his lineup and his Opening Day roster before today's workout.