The Orioles started Grapefruit League games this past Saturday. By Monday, they were splitting the team to play two games in two separate places.
Manager Brandon Hyde wasn’t too thrilled with the split-squad games starting so early, but he pushed through and sent one squad to play against Atlanta while keeping one in Sarasota to play Tampa Bay.
Against the Rays, the Orioles would end up falling 8-3 for their first loss this spring.
Cade Povich navigated the first two innings. He would allow a hit, a couple walks and struck out two but did not yield any runs as he left with a 2-0 lead.
Coby Mayo led off the second with a line drive knock before Tyler Nevin homered to center with two outs, giving the Birds that early 2-0 lead.
Cionel Pérez (BS, L 0-1) would enter and struggle in his first outing of spring. He allowed four runs off four hits, including a three-run homer, while striking out one.
The Birds stayed quiet until Daniel Johnson hit a solo home run in the seventh.
Justin Armbruester pitched three innings of shutout ball, striking out four and allowing just one hit.
The Rays scored two runs in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to close out the scoring for a final of 8-3. The O’s offense totaled six hits, five walks and 15 strikeouts, going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
In the second game, the Birds would come out on top 2-1 to improve to 3-1 overall this spring. This game was more of a pitcher’s duel, as all the runs came from solo home runs, with the Orioles winning that category, as Jordan Westburg and Kyle Stowers both hit solo shots to pace the offense.
Pitching-wise, Seth Johnson started and went two innings. He allowed no runs or hits but walked a batter as he came away unscathed.
Jacob Webb (W, 1-0) would pitch a perfect third to pick up his first win of the spring in his first appearance. Matt Krook (H, 1) and Nolan Hoffman (S, 1) pitched perfect innings, both picking up three strikeouts each. Kaleb Ort (H, 1), Andrew Suárez (H, 1) and Jean Pinto (H, 1) all pitched as well, helping to hold the Braves at bay.
Westburg led the offense with his home run and added a tripled in three plate appearances. The O’s finished with five total hits, four walks and eight strikeouts while going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The defense also turned two double plays.
The Orioles return tomorrow, as they will host the Detroit Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Game time is set for 1:05 p.m. EST with Grayson Rodriguez set to make his spring debut.
Notes:
Since Colton Cowser hit his two-run walk-off home run Saturday, he has tallied three walks in his last two games.
Ronald Guzmán reported late to camp yesterday after having visa issues in the Dominican Republic. He was able to throw his first bullpen session this morning with the Orioles.
Bench coach Fredi González managed the home split squad while manager Brandon Hyde traveled with the other half of the squad to play Atlanta.
Who stood out to you today for the O’s? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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