WASHINGTON -- Outfielder Corey Patterson is more comfortable after two months with Baltimore, and that's making all of the Orioles feel better.

Patterson recovered from a slow start where he was batting .067 (1-for-15), and had a .280 average with four homers and 17 RBIs after Saturday's loss in Washington. The center fielder also has been perfect on the basepaths, going 13-for-13 in steal attempts.

"I'm just trying to stay aggressive and just be smart," Patterson said. "[Getting used] to a new team and getting familiar with the organization and the surroundings, that was the biggest thing."

The Orioles acquired Patterson in an off-season deal with the Chicago Cubs, but he became one of a bunch of outfielders Baltimore had when the season began. However, injuries to David Newhan and Luis Matos opened the door for Patterson, who took hold of center field.

Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo loves the way Patterson uses his speed to run down balls in center field. A good defensive center fielder is crucial to any good team.

"He's a great defensive player," Perlozzo said.

The basestealing is becoming a big help to the Orioles. Patterson's career best is 32 in 2004, but Perlozzo has pretty much given him free rein to take off.

Patterson said all of that involves his just feeling more comfortable.

"You just have to relax, no matter what you do," Patterson said. "That's what I try to do no matter what. If you tense up a little bit, you can't react. That's when bad things happen."

Hitting coach Terry Crowley worked a lot with Patterson to help him get straightened out, and Perlozzo pushed the issue of the bunts. Perlozzo thought that Patterson should use his speed by bunting more. He's been doing that lately, including Saturday when Patterson reached on one bunt hit and had a swinging bunt for another single.

Changes: Kurt Birkins has gotten off to a good start in his first Major League stint. The left-hander is 0-0 but has a 2.45 ERA in his first three appearances and has thrown well.

What's made it tougher is that the Orioles have asked Birkins to become a relief pitching after serving as a starter for most of his Minor League career.

But Birkins is treating his new role the same.

"I'm just going after them and trying to throw strikes," Birkins said. "I'm getting a little more comfortable. It's getting there."

Birkins came on in the middle of Washington's four-run sixth inning Saturday night and worked his way out of trouble nicely. He gave up a sacrifice fly but then got a fly out to end the inning.

"It's been pretty successful so far," Birkins said. "It's getting there."

New starter: Perlozzo confirmed that the Orioles will bring up Hayden Penn to take Daniel Cabrera's spot in the starting rotation and pitch Tuesday in Seattle against Joel Piniero.

Cabrera has struggled in the first part of this season and went on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation of the right shoulder. Penn threw a shutout in his last start for Triple-A Ottawa and has a 2-2 record with a 1.48 ERA. He's also struck out 29 batters in 30 1/3 innings.

Penn went 3-2 with a 6.34 ERA in eight starts last year, looking good at some times and struggling in other appearances. Perlozzo said he's confident that Penn will show some good things in his second stint.

"He's been the guy that we thought would fit in our rotation at some point in time," Perlozzo said. "The fact that he's doing well has solidified his case, and we'll give him an other shot up here."

No changes: Perlozzo said the Orioles could take second basemen Brandon Fahey and Eddie Rogers on the trip to Seattle because the team remains unsure when Brian Roberts will return.

Perlozzo said before Sunday's game Roberts still felt some groin pain when working out Saturday, so the team is anticipating taking the two rookies. Fahey has seen most of the time in Roberts' spot, but Rogers also played and both have done well, especially on defense.

"They've both done a very nice job for us," Perlozzo said. "They have a lot of good qualities for that position."

Coming up: Erik Bedard (5-2, 4.18 ERA) pitches Monday when the Orioles head to Seattle to start a West Coast swing. Bedard goes against former Oriole Jamie Moyer (1-4, 3.72 ERA) in the opener of a four-game series.