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Orioles Designate RHP Accardo; Option Adams

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Baltimore Orioles ran out of patience with reliever Jeremy Accardo, designating the struggling right-hander for assignment Saturday after another lackluster performance.

Accardo was the losing pitcher in Friday night's game against the Washington Nationals. He was 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA in 25 appearances this season.

"His numbers were, going into last night, a little better than he actually pitched," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Saturday's game. "We keep a thing about balls given up that are hard hit and he wasn't doing too well in that category."

The Orioles also optioned infielder Ryan Adams to Triple-A Norfolk, recalled right-hander Brad Bergesen from Norfolk and purchased the contract of infielder Blake Davis.

Bergesen is expected to pitch out of the bullpen. He played earlier this season with Baltimore, going 1-6 with a 5.36 ERA in 10 appearances, including nine starts.

There's also a chance Bergesen could start Tuesday if Jeremy Guthrie hasn't sufficiently recovered from a back strain.

"I think the plan is day by day," Bergesen said. "I think today I'm going to be the bullpen as the long man and be able to pitch in case they need me."

The 29-year-old Accardo had 30 saves with Toronto in 2007, but spent most of last year in the minors before signing as a free agent with the Orioles in December. He was told of his dismissal after Friday's loss, in which he allowed three runs and got only one out.

"It's a tough conversation to have with a guy who's been around a little and has done good things at this level," Showalter said. "He's got a family. But my priority is what's best for the Baltimore Orioles, and it reached a point where we didn't feel like the return was going to be there down the road."

Davis hit .284 with five home runs and 24 RBIs in 49 games with Norfolk. He has not yet played in the majors.

"Blake's been playing well down there for us," Showalter said. "He plays multiple positions and runs fairly well, left-handed bat, does some things."

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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