This and that
This and that
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Zach Britton was scheduled to go two innings in today's intrasquad game in Sarasota. Kevin Millwood allowed a hit and walk through two innings, striking out four consecutive batters. David Hernandez will be on a 50-pitch limit today in Fort Myers. Nolan Reimold will serve as the designated hitter again tomorrow, giving him consecutive starts. The club is hoping he'll get seven at-bats over the two days. Felix Pie is supposed to hit and throw today and might return to the lineup for...
Twins lineup
Twins lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ben Revere CF Orlando Hudson 2B Joe Mauer C Michael Cuddyer 1B Jason Kubel DH Brendan Harris SS Danny Valencia 3B Jacque Jones LF Juan Portes RF Scott Baker RHP Mike Maroth, Clay Condrey, Jesse Crain, Pat Neshek and Jose Mijares also are available to pitch today. A reminder that Jason Berken makes his first spring start tomorrow. Brian Tallet starts for the Blue Jays.
Meanwhile, back in Sarasota...
Meanwhile, back in Sarasota...
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Kevin Millwood made it through five innings in today's intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium, taking a shutout into his last frame before surrendering three runs. He threw 88 pitches, 56 for strikes. Millwood allowed three hits, walked two and struck out seven. I'm told his curveball was outstanding. Millwood's fastball topped out at 88 mph. He usually sits in the low 90s. Brandon Waring hit a two-run homer off Jim Johnson in the fourth inning. Johnson threw 29 pitches, 19 for...
If you're wondering about Wieters... (updated)
If you're wondering about Wieters... (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Matt Wieters' work schedule is about to gain a few more pounds. It's getting heavier. Wieters caught Kevin Millwood today, as I mentioned earlier. He'll catch tomorrow, serve as the designated hitter on Thursday and catch back-to-back games over the weekend, as I mentioned earlier. So why am I writing about him again? Because he's 1-for-13 this spring, which prompted me to ask manager Dave Trembley about Wieters' slow start at the plate. "I've seen good at-bats," Trembley said. "He...
Updating Hernandez (with two updates)
Updating Hernandez (with two updates)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
David Hernandez has given the Orioles three scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out two. He's also walked a batter. Ben Revere lined a single up the middle leading off the third inning, but Orlando Hudson grounded into a 6-3 double play, with shortstop Robert Andino fielding the ball with one foot on the bag. Joe Mauer singled to center, but Michael Cuddyer flied to right. Hernandez has thrown 50 pitches, 33 for strikes. The Twins put two runners on base in the second inning...
Quick game update (with Hernandez quotes added)
Quick game update (with Hernandez quotes added)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Chad Moeller just clubbed a two-run homer off Clay Condrey in the top of the seventh to increase the Orioles' lead to 3-0. Koji Uehara tossed a scoreless fifth and Will Ohman was perfect in the sixth, though he needed some defensive help. Robert Andino made a nice play at short to retire Joe Mauer, and Jeff Salazar made another running catch near the warning track in right-center field. Matt Albers has entered the game in the bottom of the seventh. Update: Albers didn't allow a run, and...
Strange day for Sarfate
Strange day for Sarfate
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Dennis Sarfate didn't allow a hit in the eighth inning, but the Twins scored a run to reduce the Orioles' lead to 3-1. Sarfate threw two wild pitches, the first as he recorded a strikeout and the ball got past catcher Caleb Joseph. He also committed a balk and issued a walk. The run scored on Drew Butera's ground ball to short. Sarfate struck out two batters. His fastball reached 94 mph.
Post-game Trembley
Post-game Trembley
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Josh Perrault picked up the save in the Orioles' 3-1 victory, their third win in a row. Danny Valencia doubled over the head of center fielder Jeff Salazar, who froze on the ball before breaking late, but Perrault retired the last two batters. Salazar ended the game with a diving catch in right-center field to rob Juan Portes. As always, manager Dave Trembley met with reporters on the field after the game ended. "Most of the guys had command of their fastball," he said. "Hernandez was...
Johnson returned to Orioles (with quotes added)
Johnson returned to Orioles (with quotes added)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
While I was driving back from Fort Myers, the Orioles announced that pitcher Steve Johnson has been returned to the organization by the San Francisco Giants. Johnson has been assigned to Double-A Bowie and will report to the minor league camp. The Giants selected Johnson in the Rule 5 draft in December, costing them $50,000 in the process. The Orioles pay half that amount to reclaim him. Johnson, the son of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN analyst Dave Johnson, allowed three runs and...
Orioles lineup
Orioles lineup
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Cesar Izturis SS Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Miguel Tejada 3B Nolan Reimold DH Garrett Atkins 1B Ty Wigginton 2B Jonathan Tucker LF Jason Berken RHP Felix Pie remains out of the lineup with some soreness in his left shoulder. He hit off a tee and threw yesterday, and will consult today with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells. "It feels much better today," Pie said. "Maybe Saturday I'll play in a game." Mike Gonzalez said he won't pitch today. The clubhouse...