Urías homers as late substitute in 6-3 win

Freddy Galvis was going to play shortstop today. Ramon Urías was supposed to wait his next turn.

Manager Brandon Hyde scratched Galvis from the lineup with a sore hip and inserted Urías, who belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 6-3 win over the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium.

The Orioles improved their record to 2-2-1. Urías didn't hurt his chances of making the team, though a decision is pending on the length of the bench.

Urías is competing for a utility job in camp, with the assumption that Galvis plays shortstop and Yolmer Sánchez is the primary second baseman. He was given a 10-game audition last season and went 9-for-25 (.360) with two doubles and a home run.

Galvis is receiving treatment on the hip and considered day-to-day. Removing him from the lineup was done as a precaution, according to Hyde.

"He actually went through the morning workout and we decided to keep him out of the game," Hyde said.

Local left-hander Bruce Zimmermann struck out three Red Sox batters in the top of the third inning. He also allowed a single and the world can debate whether he "struck out the side." I vote "no" because a batter reached, but feel free to discuss.

Passes also were free. The Orioles drew four walks in the bottom of the third while tying the game and two more in the fifth before Urías drove an 0-2 pitch from Stephen Gonsalves beyond the right-center field fence.

Zimmermann retired the side in order in the fourth with a strikeout. His spring debut was a smash hit.

"Impressed with fastball velo," Hyde said, "Had a lot of life to his fastball, too. It gets on guys, and then a lot of really good breaking balls for strikes and for chase underneath."

Said Zimmermann: "What made it successful was probably going with the plan we set forth, which is the first couple outings is really just to establish being in the zone, attacking the zone and trying to kind of lock in, especially the breaking pitches, early. And today I felt like I did a really good job of attacking the zone the entire time, going right at these hitters and challenging them throughout the at-bats.

"Had a really good feel for the curveball today. Sevie (Pedro Severino) was calling a lot, which I agreed was a good call. Really, I think it was just keeping the foot on the gas pedal the entire outing."

Dean Kremer received the John Means treatment, leaving the first inning with two outs and a 1-0 deficit and returning for the second. Spenser Watkins walked in a run before getting the final out in the first and center fielder Jarren Duran homered in the second.

Kremer was charged with three runs and three hits with two walks in 1 2/3 innings. He threw 40 pitches.

"There were some positives and there were some negatives, just like in most cases," he said. "Specifically, obviously, I want to throw more strikes, but just making sure I'm locked in mentally more often than not would probably be the difference-maker."

"I thought Dean had good stuff," Hyde said. "It looked like he was searching for command today. Like I've said before, his first outing, I think he was just off with his fastball command and searching for his off-speed stuff, also. But his stuff was sharp and it looked good. It just wasn't in the strike zone enough.

"I thought it was a better second inning than first inning. We've had quite a few of those so far. I think the next outing, he'll rebound and be a little sharper."

Tanner Houck was responsible for the four walks in the third. He came back in the fourth and walked another batter, in case anyone thought he was kidding.

Rylan Bannon and Ryan McKenna walked in the third and Cedric Mullins followed with an RBI double. He isn't kidding, either. He's 4-for-8 with a double and triple.

Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander walked to force in a run. Santander has drawn five in three games.

Durbin Feltman replaced Houck in the third and Severino tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

Travis Lakins Sr. struck out two batters in a scoreless fifth. Eric Hanhold retired the side in order in the sixth with a strikeout.

Santander and Taylor Davis walked in the bottom of the fifth and Urías homered. Because nothing good happens after a couple of walks.

The game continued in the bottom of the sixth, the final inning, despite the home team leading. Because unusual things happen in spring training.