It was a beautiful 75° day in Sarasota, FL, as the Baltimore Orioles kicked off the Grapefruit League season, unfortunately, with a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Albert Suárez got the call to make the first start of spring for Baltimore. The surprise, feel-good story of last season’s club, Big Al would pitch 1.2 innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits.
It was clear from the first pitch that Suárez was trying to find his command, as he walked two in his outing today. After leaving the game, the media informed us that he was tinkering with his new “slurve” pitch today.
Suárez, who threw 41 pitches and 19 strikes, was relieved by Yaqui Rivera, who needed just one pitch to get out of the second inning.
Keegan Akin, Bryan Baker, Kade Strowd, Corbin Martin, Justin Armbruester and Dylan Heid all pitched an inning in relief.
Akin would give up a solo home run to former Oriole outfielder DJ Stewart, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs on the day. Martin would allow a homer of his own of the two-run variety off the bat of Matt Gorski, who also hit a ninth-inning grand slam off Heid.
Peter Van Loon would give up an earned run in just 0.2 of an inning of work in the eighth, with Gerald Ogando getting the third out behind him.
It feels so good to be back 🧡 pic.twitter.com/aTVYb5pgMO
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) February 22, 2025
It’s worth noting that during the broadcast, special guest coach and MASN color commentator Ben McDonald said that Félix Bautista is throwing 95 mph bullpens and is up to 25 pitches per session.
Last week, The Mountain told the media that he was at about 85% and expects to be 100% and ready by Opening Day, a great sign for the O’s.
The Birds saw RBIs from newly acquired outfielders Ramón Laureano and Dylan Carlson, who are both fighting for a spot on the 26-man roster. Emmanuel Rivera hit the first home run of the season for the O’s, a two-run blast to center field.
Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle Gary Sánchez, Dylan Beavers and Daz Cameron all collected base hits on the day as well.
Jackson Holliday, who went 0-for-2 today, noted that he studied film of fellow second basemen Andrés Giménez and former Oriole Kolten Wong this offseason to model his game after.
The former No. 1 overall pick and top prospect is focusing on a line drive approach this spring and wants to try and utilize his speed tool by stealing more bases and bunting on occasion.
The Orioles would ultimately drop their Grapefruit League opener to the Pirates by a score of 10-5. It was an Ed Smith Stadium sellout, with 7,628 fans in attendance.
The team will make the hour and a half bus ride to Clearwater tomorrow to face off against the Philadelphia Phillies. Cade Povich will make the start for Baltimore against right-hander Tyler Phillips.
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