Fenway Finale

Greetings from Fenway’s finale,
where the Orioles look to salvage a game and snap a five-game skid in the
process. This will be Tim Wakefield’s last start before moving to the bullpen
to clear a spot for Dice-K (who has been on the DL with a neck strain). David
Hernandez will oppose Wakefield, and like every Orioles starter not named Brian
Matusz, he’s hoping to get his first win.

*Nolan Reimold is batting leadoff for the first time in his Major
League career. “Now, I just need to bat 9^th and I’m all set,”
Reimold said. Yes, the lineup’s been shuffled that much lately.   A patient hitter by nature, Reimold said he
will steal if the position presents itself, pointing out his one stolen base
this spring.

*Rhyne Hughes is starting again today after an impressive two-hit
Major League debut. Manager Dave Trembley
noted that Hughes didn’t seem overwhelmed by the moment Saturday night and when
I talked to him briefly this morning he had the same ear-to-ear grin he’s been sporting
since

*For what Garrett Atkins thinks
about being bench for Hughes, check out my story yesterday. This is an
interesting situation to keep an eye on…

*Down in Triple-A Brad Bergesen will try to get back on
track and make his first start for Norfolk.  The Orioles are hoping he can get his
confidence back, refind his sinker and make that May 1 start. If not, they
could use either long men Jason Berken
or Mark Hendrickson to make a spot
start, or call up a guy like Jake Arrieta. That scenario isn’t likely since
they don’t really want to mess with Arrieta’s development, but it’s not something
I would rule out, either.

ORIOLES LINEUP

Nolan Reimold LF
Adam Jones CF
Nick Markakis RF
Miguel Tejada 3B
Luke Scott DH
Ty Wigginton 2B
Rhyne Hughes 1B
Craig Tatum C
Cesar Izturis SS

David Hernandez RHP

RED SOX LINEUP

Marco Scutaro SS
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Victor Martinez C
Kevin Youkilis 1B
David Ortiz DH
JD Drew RF
Adrian Beltre 3B
Jeremy Hermida LF
Jonathan Van Every CF

Tim Wakefield RHP