Felix Pie wasn't at full strength. Luke Scott couldn't swing a bat. Lou Montanez is still battling a nagging thumb injury but was in the starting lineup Wednesday. Adam Jones left Wednesday's game with a hamstring strain.
The injury bug has devoured the Orioles in the last two series. So the Orioles finally made the move so eagerly anticipated by many fans and members of the media. They recalled outfield prospect Nolan Reimold.
The next logical question: How will the right-handed slugger be used?
"I haven't thought that far ahead," manager Dave Trembley said after Wednesday's game. "It depends on the status of Jones and Scott. If neither one of them are able to play, he'll be in the starting lineup. I'll know more about that (Thursday)."
Trembley previously stated his desire to recall Reimold only if he would start in left field. With Scott, Pie and Jones injured, Reimold should start swinging the bat as soon as the team plane touches down in Kansas City.
A second-round pick in 2005, Reimold was batting .394 with nine home runs in 31 games at Class AAA Norfolk.
RAYS 8, ORIOLES 6: The Orioles both allowed the game to get out of hand and made the Rays panic in the same ninth inning. The two clubs traded four-run half-innings, but the six walks allowed by Orioles pitching proved to be the difference in a game with 30 combined hits.
