Presumed reliever Matt Bowman took to the mound tonight for the Baltimore Orioles in Bradenton against Pittsburgh. Keep in mind, folks, the idea is to get guys innings in the spring. There’s no rotation in spring training, so sometimes relievers will end up starting games – especially on the road. Bowman’s line: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K.
Bowman was strong – yes, in a starting role. For one game, at least. Bowman, a Chevy Chase, MD native, stabilized things out of the gate. The idea for a pitcher is to keep the opposition off the board. Bowman did that.
The Orioles sent Daz Cameron to the plate with two on in the second, and his two-RBI single gave them a 2-0 lead. Jordan Westburg would clean up what the Birds still had on base later in the inning, extending the lead to 3-0 with an RBI-single.
Pittsburgh would get an RBI-double from Suwinsky, and an RBI-single from Reynolds in the last of the third. If you’re keeping score, that cut the Orioles’ lead to one. This at 3-2.
However it was the final splurge of Oriole rubs that’ll have fans talking. Catcher Samuel Basallo is a top 15 prospect in MLB, and the top prospect overall in the Oriole farm system. And he made his presence known to Pittsburgh in a big way.
Basallo’s three-run home run in the top of the fifth opened up a 6-2 Oriole lead. Needless to say, the Birds tacked on some runs late. But the fact that it was off the bat of Basallo is meaningful. He gives the Birds a lot of leverage in their farm system.
Pittsburgh would tack on an RBI-single in the end, but the Birds cruised to a 6-3 win. This on the road, in Bradenton against Pittsburgh. But again, wins and losses are meaningless at this stage.
The Orioles now head to Tampa tomorrow to take on the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field. Albert Suarez gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Clarke Schmidt. Game time is set for just after 1 PM,
Birdland Crush 