Gregg Zaun's first month in his return to Baltimore wasn't pretty.
May is looking much better. But unfortunately for Zaun, his performance means nothing in terms of his future playing time. Zaun could bat .500 for the rest of the month, and the Orioles are still likely to promote top prospect Matt Wieters before the second half begins.
Zaun, who spent the past five years in Toronto after beginning his career with the Orioles, is batting just .162 -- despite hitting a home run Tuesday and collecting three hits over his last six at-bats.
While his offensive numbers have been disappointing, Zaun has brought a veteran presence to the clubhouse and a calming influence to the pitching staff.
By June, he's likely to become one of the more valuable and experienced backup catchers in baseball, as Wieters is due for a call-up from Class AAA Norfolk. The switch-hitting 2008 first-round pick is batting .290 with four extra-base hits in 69 at-bats for the Tides through Tuesday.
RAYS 6, ORIOLES 3: The Orioles held a 3-1 lead before the Rays exploded for five runs between the sixth and seventh innings. Baltimore starter Koji Uehara retired two Rays batters in the seventh before Tampa Bay scored three runs.
