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Burres Gets A Rest; Salazar Swings 'Thunder' Bat

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Sep 14, 2008 6:41 pm US/Eastern

Burres Gets A Rest; Salazar Swings 'Thunder' Bat

BALTIMORE (AP) ― Orioles left-hander Brian Burres pitched in both games of a doubleheader, then was looking for a little more action Sunday.

After throwing one inning in the first game against Minnesota and 1 2/3 innings in the nightcap, Burres was asked if he would be available for manager Dave Trembley in the series finale.

"I'll probably tell him I can pitch today if he asks," Burres replied.

Trembley dismissed the notion and gave the reliever a deserved day off.

"Burres won't pitch today. I wouldn't do that," the manager said. "He threw 47 pitches in two games."

The last time an Oriole pitched in both games of a doubleheader was in September 2004 when Jason Grimsley and B.J. Ryan both did it against Toronto.

"I've never thrown both sides of a doubleheader. Sometimes you have to do it for the team," Burres said. "It's not as easy as it looks."

But Burres was eager to double his workload after giving up three runs in the first game.

"I was up for it," he said. "I was kind of glad get back in there. I had such a bad first game, (I tried) to get out there and do a little better the second time."

Burres allowed one run in the second game.

If these September games are to serve as an audition for next season, then Oscar Salazar improved his stature in the organization with his first two-homer game Sunday.

Before the game, Trembley said of Salazar: "I think he's an interesting guy to look at because I think he can swing the bat. ... He's got a little thunder in that bat."

Salazar's first two-homer game of his career raised his total this season to four, but he long ago made an impression on the Orioles' brass.

"Salazar helped himself in spring training," Trembley said. "Salazar was noticed in spring training as a right-handed bat and a guy that looks like he could go up there and so some damage for you."

Melvin Mora wasn't in the starting lineup Sunday, but Trembley said it had nothing to do with the strained left hamstring that caused the third baseman to miss 10 games over the last 21/2 weeks.

"Melvin is coming off the injury and he played a doubleheader last night," Trembley said. "I'd as soon have Melvin available off the bench and give him two full days, today and tomorrow."

The Orioles are off Monday before facing Toronto on the road Tuesday.

Mora has hit an AL-best .389, along with 51 RBIs, since the All-Star break, and Trembley didn't want to take any chances as the season draws to a close.

"We're going to play on the turf in Toronto, which isn't exactly the friendliest thing on your legs," Trembley said.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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