Acta gives Sizemore vote of confidence

BALTIMORE: Grady Sizemore's slump is getting to be old news.

Going into tonight's game with the Orioles, he is batting .215 and has yet to hit a home run. He actually hit one ball over the fence, but it happened in the May 7 rainout against the Tigers, which has to be replayed in its entirety. Because the game did not go five innings, it was never official and the statistics don't count.

Why has Sizemore struggled at the plate, particularly in the power department?

""It's hard to pinpoint,'' manager Manager Manny Acta said. ""He had a good spring, and the power is still there. I think he's just going through a rough time. He was starting to make better contact last week. Nobody's panicking. There are a lot of games left.''

The only things different for Sizemore from last year to this are his health and his position in the batting order.

Sizemore played virtually the entire 2009 season with two injuries, which have since been repaired. As far as anyone knows, neither injury is a factor in his current slump. Moreover, there should be no reason why he was able to hit well in the leadoff spot but not in the No. 2 position.

But sometimes logic has little to do with it. Sizemore always felt comfortable at the top of the order, which is where he enjoyed hitting. He also produced big numbers in that slot, twice finishing among the top five in runs among American League hitters.

""The guy has a great track record,'' Acta said. ""We know it's coming. We're not in the habit of moving guys around just because they're struggling a little bit.''

Give the fans what they want. That means postgame fireworks. The fireworks show that was cancelled because of the May 7 rainout has been rescheduled for after the 7:05 p.m. game May 22 against the Reds.

The rained out game against the Tigers has yet to be rescheduled, but first things first.