Greinke dominates O's; Hill to start today

With the start of the game delayed for more than two hours by rain, Royals fans had to wait a little while before seeing their ace get to pitch on Friday night. But the patient fans who stayed got just wait they paid to see.

Zack Greinke (0.60 ERA) gave up one run in seven innings to improve to 7-1 on the season as the Royals cruised to an 8-1 victory. He also walked just two Orioles batters while striking out six of them.

While Greinke was fantastic, the same can't be said for Adam Eaton (7.93 ERA), who surrendered 10 hits and seven runs, including two long home runs to Mike Jacobs and Miguel Olivo.

Brian Roberts and Aubrey Huff each had two-hit games for the Orioles, while Mark Teahan had three hits and Jacobs, Jose Guillen, and Alberto Callaspo each had two hits in the Royals' eight-run, 13-hit attack.

To shift gears, Rich Hill is scheduled to make his Orioles debut tonight. With the move, Mark Hendrickson moves to the bullpen, which is exactly what happened last night, as Hendrickson gave up one run in three innings after replacing Eaton. Hendrickson has been pretty bad this season -- 1-4, 6.03 ERA, 1.38 K/BB ratio -- but, to be fair, the Orioles envisioned Hendrickson as the long man out of the bullpen from the beginning. Injuries forced him into the rotation, but hopefully Hill stays healthy, pitches well, and is able to remain in the rotation for a while.

As of this moment, the Orioles still have not made a corresponding roster move to make room for Hill. Some options include: placing Adam Jones or Luke Scott on the disabled list; sending Lou Montanez or Nolan Reimold back to Norfolk; or even, though not likely, designating Felix Pie for assignment. A move should be announced soon.

O's looking to deal for another unwanted Cub

After acquiring outfielder Felix Pie from the Cubs a week and a half ago, the Orioles appear to be on the verge of trading for another Cubs player. According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles want to deal for left-handed pitcher Rich Hill, and the deal could be done "as early as next week." The Cubs would apparently receive a player to be named later.

Hill, whose value appears to be limited because he is out of minor league options, would surely be given a chance to earn a spot in the Orioles' rotation.

In 57 career starts and 64 total games, Hill has a 4.37 ERA with 309 strikeouts and 137 walks. In 2007, Hill posted an 11-8 record with a 3.92 ERA and a K/BB ratio of nearly 3.

If Hill, who turns 29 in March, returns to his 2007 form, this deal could turn out to be rewarding, to say the least.