Coming Up Short at Shortstop

BALTIMORE, June 18 -- The Baltimore Orioles' shortstops have formed a sinkhole in the bottom of the lineup.

The last time an Orioles shortstop hit a home run was Sept. 21, 2007, when Miguel Tejada blasted one against the Texas Rangers' Luis Mendoza.

Tejada was traded in the offseason to the Houston Astros -- visitors to Camden Yards on Wednesday night -- and Baltimore has started five players at the position since, netting a .233 average, 12 RBI and no home runs.

That lack of production could become more acute as Baltimore goes on the road for nine interleague games starting Friday in Milwaukee, Orioles Manager Dave Trembley said.

"When we're going in against National League clubs, if you don't get anything out of your [shortstop], you might as well play seven against nine," Trembley said. "If the guy hitting eighth is an automatic out and the . . . pitcher's an automatic out, that's not real good."

Freddie Bynum has played the majority of the time since replacing Luis Hernández. Bynum's two-strike RBI on Tuesday gave him a position-leading five for the season, but he was batting .207 heading into Wednesday night's game.

"I don't care about my average, man," Bynum said. "As long as we win, I'm fine. I'm going to hit eventually."

Sherrill's Shoulder Improves

Closer George Sherrill's shoulder feels fine four days after he complained of stiffness.

Pitching his third consecutive day, Sherrill gave up a game-winning single to Pittsburgh first baseman Adam LaRoche in the bottom of the 10th on Sunday. Sherrill had blown his third save of the season Saturday in a game the Orioles won in the bottom of the ninth.

"Sunday I just didn't have anything. I usually get dead-armed every year, and that's kind of what it felt like," Sherrill said. "I've been throwing a lot lately. We've been playing pretty well, so that's just part of it."

Sherrill, who iced his shoulder several times after Sunday's debacle, said he regained his velocity Tuesday night while recording his 23rd save. . . .

Reliever Randor Bierd (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment by pitching two innings in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League on Friday. . . .

Starting pitcher Adam Loewen (elbow) pitched two innings for Class AA Bowie Wednesday, allowing an unearned run on one hit.

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