After playing games on 20 consecutive days, the Orioles have three of the next eight days off, beginning on Monday. They are also off Thursday and the coming Monday. That scheduling quirk prompted a personnel move by manager Dave Trembley.

The off-days will allow the Orioles to go with a four-man starting rotation, which will allow them to gain some flexibility with a four-man bench.

Alex Cintron, who signed a minor league contract with the Orioles after playing for the Diamondbacks and White Sox, was called up on Sunday from Class AAA Norfolk, while reliever Bob McCrory was sent back to the Tides.

Cintron was thrilled to be back in a major league uniform and said he is very happy that the Orioles took the chance on him after he was cut by the Cubs prior to Opening Day. McCrory has had little work during his brief stay with the Orioles, but Trembley said he expected to have McCrory back with the team this season.

Trembley admitted that he has made his decision on his pitchers for next weekend, but said he wasn't ready to tell anybody, perhaps save for the pitchers he will use, about his plans. It was anticipated that he would rest Steve Trachsel in order to keep the younger players in their routine.

ROYALS 4, ORIOLES 0: The Orioles lost after 12 straight wins over the Royals as they managed only two hits in eight innings off Kansas City starter Brian Bannister, which negated a well-pitched game by Brian Burres, who was touched for solo runs in the second and third innings before putting the first two batters of the seventh on base and being removed from the game. Reliever Dennis Sarfate gave up two hits and the last two runs charged to Burres scored.

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