Red Flags, But Light Still Green On Bases

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By Marc Carig

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 8, 2008; Page E06

OAKLAND, Calif., May 7 -- The Baltimore Orioles lead the majors with five base runners picked off, and only two teams have been caught stealing more. But the Orioles have no plans of being more conservative on the bases.

"You have to think positive," Manager Dave Trembley said before Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Athletics. "You take the extra base, you go first to third when they allow you to do it. I don't think you play defensive. You play defensive now, you're looking to make mistakes. I don't like that."

Baltimore came into the game tied for third in the American League with 29 stolen bases, a testament to the team's commitment to the running game.

But the Orioles have also been making outs on the base paths. During the series against the Los Angeles Angels last weekend, the Orioles lost base runners when they were doubled up, picked off and thrown out trying to steal, mistakes that have contributed to Baltimore's offensive woes.

The latest incident came in the 10th inning on Wednesday. Luis Hernández drew a leadoff walk, then was picked off by reliever Dallas Braden. It was the second time Hernández was picked off this season.

"He got me there in that situation," Hernández said. "It was 3-1. I don't know what happened. He made a good move there."

First base coach John Shelby, whom Trembley put in charge of overseeing base running, said this week that recent mistakes on the base paths have become accentuated during the team's struggles. He, too, maintained the Orioles will stay on the run.

"When the team's going good, you don't always see when a guy doesn't run hard or a guy misses a base," Shelby said. "Those things happen even when teams are going good. But when you win, they're kind of missed or overlooked. When a team's not going good, those things stand out."

Loewen Throws

Trembley said injured left-hander Adam Loewen threw 25 pitches from 60 feet without incident at the team's spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla., on Wednesday. It was the first step of a throwing program for Loewen, who went to the disabled list April 25 with left elbow soreness. . . .

Longtime Orioles head groundskeeper Pat Santarone, 79, died Tuesday of natural causes in Hamilton, Mont. Santarone served as the team's head groundskeeper from 1969 to 1991. He is survived by his wife, Pam, daughter, Debbie, and a son, Douglas.