Baltimore Orioles: DJ Stewart homers in Birds’ tie against Philadelphia

The Baltimore Orioles of course acquired pitcher Jorge Lopez in the middle of last year on waivers. Today he started the Birds’ “road opener” in spring training. Lopez struggled at times, but finished strong. Lopez’s line: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 0 K.

Lopez had the lead from the get-go, as DJ Stewart smacked a two-run homer in the first inning. However Lopez have it right back. Knapp’s ground rule two-RBI double in the last of the first tied the score at two.

That was the bad news for Lopez. The good news is that he was able to pitch out of a jam later in the inning. With runners at second and third and nobody out, Lopez induced a 5-1-3 double-play, nailing the runner at home plate. Remember folks, pitchers will get into jams. It’s the nature of the position. But decent ones will also pitch out of those jams.

Philadelphia would take a 4-2 lead in the last of the first on a two-run homer off the bat of Joyce. While wind-aided, it makes sense that Joyce would do that to the Orioles. He did it all the time when he played for Tampa.

But two innings later the Birds would even the score. DJ Stewart would reach on a fielder’s choice, scoring a run. And Ryan Mountcastle‘s sac fly-RBI knotted the game at four. And at four the game would remain. Both teams decided to play only seven innings today, so we end in a tie.

The O’s return home to Ed Smith Stadium tomorrow to take on the N.Y. Yankees. John Means gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by NY’s Jordan Montgomery. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.