NEW YORK (AP) - Hoping to improve their ineffective rotation, the Baltimore Orioles took Dennis Sarfate out of the bullpen and scheduled him for his first major league start Wednesday against the New York Yankees.
Brian Burres was demoted to the bullpen Monday after lasting only 1 2-3 innings in his most recent start, a 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. The left-hander was tagged for five runs and seven hits, dropping him to 7-7 with a 5.37 ERA.Sarfate, acquired from Houston last December as part of a trade for Miguel Tejada, is 4-1 with a 3.78 ERA in 45 appearances this season, all in relief. But he was a starter for much of his time in the minors.
"He's in the starting rotation," manager Dave Trembley said. "We'd like to see what he can do."
Going into Monday night's game at Yankee Stadium, Orioles starters had pitched at least seven innings only once in the previous 21 games. Baltimore was 6-15 in those games, and their starters had a 7.44 ERA.
"We've got to try something," Trembley said.
After Burres was pulled Friday, Sarfate pitched a career-high 3 1-3 innings against the Angels. He was born in New York and is looking forward to his new assignment Wednesday.
"It's going to be fun," Sarfate said.
The Orioles also ran out of patience recently with rookie starter Radhames Liz. They optioned the struggling left-hander to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday and activated reliever Jamie Walker from the 15-day disabled list.
Baltimore is off the next two Thursdays, so for now the team will go with a four-man rotation.
