Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunHome plate umpire Larry Vanover warns both benches after each team had a hit batsman in the first inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaThe Orioles' Vladimir Guerrero, front, is congratulated by teammate Luke Scott after his two-run homer against the visiting Nationals in the seventh inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Orioles starter Jake Arrieta delivers against the visiting Royals. He struggled with his command for much of the night allowed just two runs on Melky Cabrera's fifth-inning homer.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunOrioles' starting pitcher Brad Bergesen walks to the dugout after allowing five runs in the first inning.
Boston Globe photo by Jim DavisThe Red Sox's Adrian Gonzalez, right, crosses the plate in front of Matt Wieters to score on a hit by Kevin Youkilis in the sixth inning and cut the Orioles' lead to 6-5.
US PRESSWIRE photoThe Orioles' Adam Jones doubles in the eighth inning of an 8-3 win over the Nationals at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Orioles catcher Matt Wieters throws during a game against the Royals at Camden Yards.
US PresswireOakland starter Gio Gonzalez falls while trying to make the tag on Orioles center fielder Adam Jones.
US PresswireOrioles starter Brad Bergesen took the loss for the O's in the club's 4-2 loss to Oakland.
US PresswireOakland second baseman Mark Ellis jumps over J.J. Hardy to complete the double play.
US PresswireOakland second baseman Mark Ellis avoids landing on Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis after turning a double play.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThe Orioles' Mark Reynolds, left, steals second base in the eighth inning as the throw to Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is wide. The Orioles went to lose, 4-1, in 15 innings at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaThe Orioles' Nick Markakis scores on Vladimir Guerrero's two-run homer off Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann in the bottom of the seventh inning. Markakis had singled beforehand.
US PRESSWIREOrioles starter Jeremy Guthrie delivers against the Nationals in the first inning. Guthrie pitched seven innings, allowing just one unearned run, and picked up his second win of the season.
US PRESSWIRE photoThe Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki, right, gets to second base on a steal attempt ahead of the throw to Orioles second baseman Robert Andino.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxNolan Reimold, center, is congratulated by teammates Mark Reynolds, left, and J.J. Hardy after he hit a three-run homer in the third inning to give the host Orioles a 5-4 lead over the Royals. Reimold had hit a solo homer in the second inning. The Orioles went on to win, 6-5, in 12 innings on Vladimir Guerrero's RBI single.
Boston Globe photo by Jim DavisThe Red Sox's Carl Crawford steals second base ahead of the tag by Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy, left, in the second inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxFans at Camden Yards try to catch a foul ball in the top of the second inning of the Orioles-Royals game.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles reliever Pedro Viola delivers against the host Marienrs in the seventh inning. Viola pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
US PRESSWIRE photoThe Orioles' Nick Markakis hits an RBI single against the visiting Nationals in the seventh inning.
US PRESSWIRE photoMark Reynolds watches as Vladimir Guerrero scores during the Orioles' four-run seventh inning.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunOrioles left fielder Felix Pie cannot hang onto the ball, as the Yankees' Nick Swisher hits a three-run double.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.The Orioles' Adam Jones rounds third and heads for home after hitting a game-winning two-run homer against the visiting Royals in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Left fielder Felix Pie (18) and his Orioles teammates celebrate after their 9-2 rout of the visiting Royals. The Orioles scored eight runs in the fourth inning.
US PRESSWIRE photoMariners first baseman Justin Smoak, left, stretches to field a throw and retire the Orioles' Nolan Reimold in the third inning.
US PRESSWIRE photoNolan Reimold, right, is congratulated by third base coach Willie Randolph after his two-run homer gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead over the visiting Nationals in the third inning.
Getty photoOrioles starter Zach Britton reacts after giving up a run during the host Athletics' four-run fifth inning. Britton allowed a career-high six runs in falling to 5-3 this season.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxAn errant pickoff throw from Jeremy Guthrie (not pictured) gets past Orioles first baseman Jake Fox, left, allowing the Royals' Chris Getz to advance to second base.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThe Orioles' Robert Andino, right, slides safely into third base ahead of the tag of Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez in the 12th inning. Andino wouldn't score, however, and the host Orioles went on to lose, 4-1, in 15 innings.
ADAM HUNGER, REUTERSThe Red Sox's Adrian Gonzalez watches the path of his two-run double off the Green Monster that gave Boston an 8-7 walkoff win against the Orioles at Fenway Park. Closer Kevin Gregg allowed the hit.
US PresswireChris Tillman got the start for the O's against Oakland, going 4 1/3 innings and allowing six hits and one earned run.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaOrioles second baseman Robert Andino, left, forces out the Nationals' Laynce Nix in the fifth inning at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.The Royals' Jeff Francoeur scores under the tag of Orioles catcher Matt Wieters in the sixth inning.
US PresswireOrioles center fielder Adam Jones runs for third base in the fifth inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxOrioles reliever Koji Uehara reacts after retiring the Royals in the ninth inning.
US PRESSWIRE photoAdam Jones rounds third and heads home to score against the Nationals during the host Orioles' four-run third inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaOrioles starter Chris Tillman pitches against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Tillman allowed one run in five innings in taking a no-decision.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles reliever Koji Uehara delivers against the Nationals in the ninth inning. The Orioles won, 8-3, at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxA diving Royals shortstop Mike Aviles can't get to a sixth-inning single by the Orioles' J.J. Hardy.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamOrioles reliever Michael Gonzalez, top right, leaves the field following his ejection after hit hit the Yankees' Chris Dickerson, foreground, in the helmet with a pitch in the 15th inning at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaOrioles designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero hits a two-run homer against the Nationals in the seventh inning at Camden Yards. The Orioles won, 2-1, and secured a series victory over Washington.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.The Orioles' Adam Jones arrives ahead of the tag by Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar for a fourth-inning double. The eight runs the Orioles scored in the fourth were their most in an inning in almost two years.
US PresswireAlfredo Simon allowed four hits and three runs in two innings in the O's loss to the A's.
Boston Globe photo by Bill GreeneA TV cameraman packs up his gear at Fenway Park after the Orioles-Red Sox series finale was postponed because of rain.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamYankees manager Joe Girardi, bottom center, and a team trainer check on Chris Dickerson, right, after he was hit in the helmet by a pitch from Orioles reliever Michael Gonzalez (not pictured). At top left, Orioles manager Buck Showalter makes a pitching change, bringing in Jeremy Guthrie (not pictured), after Gonzalez was ejected from the game.
Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREOrioles designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero (27) and right fielder Nick Markakis celebrate after scoring on Matt Wieters (not shown) two-run RBI double in the third inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Orioles starter Jake Arrieta pitches against the Royals at Camden Yards. Arrieta allowed two runs in six innings to improve to 6-2.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles reliever Jim Johnson throws to first base in the eighth inning of the team's 8-3 win over the visiting Nationals.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamPlate umpire Dan Bollino, left, ejects Orioles reliever Michael Gonzalez (not pictured) from the game after he hit the Yankees' Chris Dickerson, right, in the helmet with a pitch. Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is shown checking on Dickerson.
US PRESSWIRE photoBrandon Snyder is congratulated by Orioles teammate Adam Jones after scoring on Robert Andino's double in the seventh inning.
McClatchy-Tribune photoJeremy Guthrie fell to 2-7 on the season with the Orioles' 3-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.The Orioles' Robert Andino, right, steals second base as the ball gets away from Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxFrom left, Felix Pie, Nolan Reimold and Adam Jones run onto the field as Robert Andino scores the winning run in the Orioles' 6-5, 12-inning victory over the Royals at Camden Yards.
Boston Globe photo by Jim DavisRed Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, right, forces out the Orioles' Adam Jones in the first inning at Fenway Park.
Getty photoDesignated hitter Vladimir Guerrero hits an RBI groundout in the Orioles' four-run fifth inning. The visiting Orioles lost to the Athletics, 6-4.
McClatchy-Tribune photoThe Mariners' Brendan Ryan gets back safely to first base after the Orioles tried to pick him off in the sixth inning.
US PRESSWIRE photoThe Orioles' Mark Reynolds barely avoids being hit by a pitch from Mariners starter Doug Fister. Reynolds hit a solo homer, but the visiting Orioles lost, 4-3.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaNationals manager Jim Riggleman, right, disputes a call by plate umpire Todd Tichenor in the top of the first inning at Camden Yards. Tichenor ruled that Washington's Roger Bernadina had stepped on the plate while laying down a bunt. Riggleman was ejected from the game during the argument.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunYankees starter CC Sabathia
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunOrioles' Nick Markakis after he was hit in the back by a CC Sabathia fastball in the first inning.
McClatchy-Tribune photoMariners closer Brandon League put Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds on his back twice with high inside pitches before striking him out in the ninth.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Orioles reliever Michael Gonzalez gets a hug from catcher Matt Wieters after he retired the visiting Royals in order in the ninth inning on a total of 10 pitches. The host Orioles won, 9-2.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamMichael Gonzalez (left) watches as the Yankees' Chris Dickerson is tended to after the Orioles reliever hit him in the helmet with a pitch. Gonzalez was ejected from the game. He had given up the eventual winning two-run double to Robinson Cano, the previous batter. Visiting New York won, 4-1, in 15 innings.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Adam Jones is met at home plate by his Orioles teammates after he hit a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give his team a 5-3 come-from-behind win over the Royals at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Orioles starter Zach Britton pitches against the Royals.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaLuke Scott, center, high-fives Orioles teammate Vladimir Guerrero after the Orioles' 2-1 home win over the Nationals. Guerrero drove in the tying and winning runs with a two-run homer in the seventh inning.
US PresswireAthletics shortstop Cliff Pennington slides safely back to first as O's first baseman Jake Fox waits for the ball.
Greg Fiume, Getty ImagesMichael Gonzalez of the Orioles reacts after giving up a home run in the eighth inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Orioles catcher Matt Wieters throws during a game against the Royals at Camden Yards.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles reliever Alfredo Simon pitches against the Mariners in the third inning at Safeco field. The right-hander turned in 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
US PRESSWIRE photoThe Orioles' Nolan Reimold hits a two-run homer against the Nationals in the third inning at Oriole Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaOrioles designated hitter smiles during a game against the Nationals at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThe Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, right, reacts as he is called out on strikes by plate umpire Dan Bellino (not pictured) in the 13th inning.
US PresswireOrioles catcher Craig Tatum is congratulated by right fielder Nick Markakis.
US PRESSWIRE photoThe Orioles' Brandon Snyder reacts after striking out against the Nationals' John Lannan in the third inning at Camden Yards.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles left fielder Nolan Reimold misplays a ball in the ninth inning of the team's 8-3 home win over the Nationals.
Greg Fiume, Getty ImagesFelix Pie of the Orioles gets caught in a run down by Jason Marquis of the Nationals.
US PresswireBrad Bergesen gave up nine hits and two earned runs in the Orioles' 4-2 loss to Oakland.
US PresswireOakland Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp (4) is congratulated by designated hitter Hideki Matsui (55) after scoring during the third inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Adam Jones doubles to lead off the Orioles' eight-run bottom of the fourth inning against the Royals. Jones also had an RBI single in the inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Orioles starter Zach Britton reacts after allowing a solo homer to the Royals' Alex Gordon in the third inning. Britton gave up three runs in six innings and took a no-decision.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles second baseman Robert Andino fields a ball before starting a double play in the second inning. The visiting Orioles lost to the Athletics, 6-4 and were swept in the three-game series.
Boston Globe photo by Jim DavisOrioles first baseman Derrek Lee catches a first inning foul ball off the bat of the Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia. Lee later left the game with a strained left oblique.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxThe Orioles' Adam Jones lifts teammate Robert Andino into the air in celebration after Andino scored the winning run against the visiting Royals on Vladimir Guerrero's single in the bottom of the 12th inning. The Orioles' 6-5 victory was their fifth straight win and got them back to .500.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Orioles manager Buck Showalter, left, greets Adam Jones after the center fielder hit a game-winning two-run homer against the visiting Royals in the bottom of the ninth inning.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles shortstop J.J. Hardy fields the ball against the host Athletics.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles first baseman Brandon Snyder commits a two-run error in the third inning. The Orioles beat the visiting Nationals, 8-3.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxThe Orioles' Nolan Reimold rounds third after hitting a solo homer against the Royals in the second inning at Camden Yards.
Reuters photoThe Orioles' Vladimir Guerrero passes Red Sox reliever Scott Atchison while scoring on an RBI single by Adam Jones in the sixth inning.
US PRESSWIRE photoThe Orioles' Brandon Snyder slides into second base with a double to lead off the seventh inning. The host Orioles beat the Nationals, 8-3.
US PresswireCraig Tatum scores in the third inning against the A's.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles reliever Jim Johnson pitches against the host Mariners in the eighth inning.
US PRESSWIRE photoOrioles starter Jake Arrieta pitches against the host Mariners in the first inning. He wouldn't be in the game much longer, lasting just 2 1/3 innings and allowing four runs on four hits and four walks.
Greg Fiume, Getty ImagesJake Arietta
US PRESSWIRE photoThe Orioles' Adam Jones, left, is safe at home plate ahead of the tag by Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos.
Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREOrioles second baseman Ryan Adams makes his major league debut.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. LamThe Yankees' Chris Dickerson, right, congratulates teammates Alex Rodriguez, center, and Mark Teixeira (Mount St. Joseph) after both scored on Robinson Cano's double in the top of the 15th inning. Dickerson, the next batter, was hit in the helmet by a pitch from Gonzalez, who was ejected from the game.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun
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Home plate umpire Larry Vanover warns both benches after each team had a hit batsman in the first inning.
ExpandBy Matt Vensel
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Orioles reliever Michael Gonzalez — who is in the final year of a two-year, $12 million deal — is wearing out his welcome with even the most patient of Orioles fans. The 32-year-old surrendered four runs in Monday’s come-from-ahead loss to the Red Sox. On Wednesday, he couldn’t get out of a jam against the Yankees.
And he put the Orioles in another bad situation
when he plunked Chris Dickerson
, sending
the Yankees outfielder to the hospital for a CT scan
and Gonzalez, who was quickly ejected, to the showers early.
Gonzo’s bean ball — it’s hard to imagine it was intentional because he was the team’s last available reliever — forced manager Buck Showalter to use Jeremy Guthrie, who was supposed to start Thursday, in his first relief appearance since 2007. Now Brad Bergesen
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will be on the mound against CC Sabathia
.
You can argue that it was just a bad night for Gonzalez, but your jaw is going to get sore as those bad nights continue to pile up.
He again got booed off the field by the Camden Yards crowd Wednesday, and you can’t help but feel bad for the guy. Signed to be the closer last season, Gonzalez coughed up two games right out of the gate in 2010 and the boo birds already started pecking at him during his first home appearance. We found out that injuries were partially to blame, and after a long stint on the DL, he returned in late July and allowed seven runs in 22 2/3 innings of relief, including seven scoreless appearances to close the season.
But bad Gonzo is back this spring. He allowed eight runs in his first seven appearances, and after his rocky performances this week, his 8.53 ERA is the second-highest on the team (Clay Rapada).
I don’t think talent is the issue with Gonzalez. He turns 33 this weekend, but he can still pitch. His issues appear to be mental and he would probably benefit from a change of scenery. Unfortunately for both him and the Orioles, no one is going to trade for a $6 million reliever who can’t get a guy out when it’s needed.
Your turn:
What should the Orioles do with Gonzalez?