Ricky Romero struck out eight while tossing 8 1/3 scoreless innings in a victory against the Orioles on Wednesday. He allowed four hits and three walks. The Orioles proved to be just the elixir that Romero needed. Tonight was the first time he's allowed less than three earned runs in a start since the first day of the month and the first time he's given up less than four runs in an outing since June 26. He'll take a 3.08 ERA into a start against the Rays next week.

Ricky Romero allowed four runs (three earned) over five innings in Saturday's loss to the Yankees. Romero labored, throwing just 59 out of 108 pitches for strikes before getting pulled. He gave up six hits while walking three, fanning seven and throwing a wild pitch. The southpaw has failed to complete seven innings in each of his last three starts. He'll carry a 3.18 ERA into a start against the Rangers next week.

Ricky Romero's first start following the All-Star break will be Saturday against the Yankees. Romero hasn't started since last Wednesday, but Blue Jays manager John Farrell wants to give him extra time after traveling to the All-Star Game in Phoenix. As a result, the Jays will go with Jo-Jo Reyes, Carlos Villanueva, the aforementioned Romero, Brett Morrow and Brett Cecil coming out of the break. On the next turn through the rotation, Romero and Reyes will flip spots.

Ricky Romero has been added as a replacement to the AL All-Star team. Romero will replace Jon Lester, who is on the disabled list with a strained lat muscle, who replaced Felix Hernandez, who can't be on the roster because he started Sunday's game for the Mariners. Got that? Romero is a deserving candidate, finishing the first half 7-8 with a 3.09 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.

Ricky Romero got roughed by the Red Sox on Wednesday evening, allowing six runs on nine hits, three walks and two home runs in 4 1/3 innings of a 6-4 Blue Jays loss. He struck out two. Romero served up a solo homer to Jacoby Ellsbury to lead off the bottom of the first inning before letting Kevin Youkilis tag him for another solo bomb in the second. The non-quality start was his first in six outings, and just his second in his past 11.

Ricky Romero pitched well on Monday, holding the Braves to just two runs on six hits in seven innings of work, but got out-dueled by Tim Hudson in a 2-0 Blue Jays loss. He also got humiliated by Hudson, who drove in the game's only two runs with a seventh inning home run. Despite the embarrassing ending, Romero managed to get his 3.01 ERA back below 3.00 to 2.98 while striking out four and walking two. He'll get the Cardinals in St. Louis this weekend.