GameThread: Orioles (2-11) @ Mariners (6-7)

The Orioles are coming off a win for the first time since April 8th, but a pall has been cast on today's game by the news the The Adorable One will probably miss the entire first half of the season. I have a confession to make, guys: I have gotten way too attached to him. I don't know the precise moment it happened but now I'm powerless against it.

Anyway. We have to shake it off. Felix wouldn't want us to feel so blue, because tonight is about putting together back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Brad Bergesen has had his troubles so far this year, but he and Rick Kranitz are going to rediscover his sinker, dagblamit. Hopefully that discovery will come tonight against a team that isn't as potent offensively as most of the teams the Orioles will see this season (of course, neither were the A's and we saw what happened there). Bergesen made three starts against the Mariners last year, pitching a total of 21 innings while allowing just 5 earned runs. One of those starts, on June 9th, was Bergesen's best start of his career. He pitched 8 shutout innings with only 5 hits (4 singles, 1 double). He struck out 6 and walked none.

Doug Fister has made 12 career starts but has never faced the Orioles or anyone on the current Orioles team. Both of his starts this year have come against the Oakland Athletics and his second one was brilliant. 8 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts. Let's go ahead and make the most of facing this kid seeing as how in two days Kevin Millwood will turn in a perfectly acceptable performance while the Orioles flail around at the plate against Felix Hernandez.

Let's Go O's!