The Baltimore Orioles completed the Florida portion of their Grapefruit League schedule this afternoon in a fitting fashion for a game that doesn’t count: a tie. They say it’s like kissing your sister, but in this case you kind of say what are you going to do? Charlie Morton wasn’t in the game long, but he did get the start. Morton’s line: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 1 K.
I think most pitchers would take that in their final spring outing. So would most managers. Especially when the pitcher is 41 years old. If anything the Orioles have been shortening their starters going into this weekend, opting to get them some almost light work, and get them out.
Morton got an early lead when Ramon Urias smacked a two-run homer in the top of the second. However he surrendered it back in the bottom of the inning. Albies’ RBI-double got Atlanta on the board, followed by a two-RBI single by Kelenic. And Atlanta led 3-2.
The real start of the game for the Birds was Dean Kremer, who came in to pitch in relief. It wouldn’t shock me if Kremer is the third starter, and the Orioles are lining him up to pitch on Saturday in Toronto. While giving up two runs, Kremer pitched five innings. And was solid in the strike zone.
The Birds tied the game back up in the third on Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-single. Two innings later they would take the lead when Tavian Josenberger reached on an error, scoring a run. Jackson Holliday would tack on a run-scoring single, and the O’s held a 5-3 lead.
However Atlanta would score two on Profar’s two-RBI double in the seventh. Neither side could muster a run past that point, ending the game in a 5-5 tie. And nobody batted an eye in the game ending at that point.
Before the game Brandon Hyde told the media that Gunnar Henderson would begin the season on the Injured List. He has to stay there for seven days, meaning he would be eligible to come off next Thursday. He could stay there longer, and but he’ll be evaluated at that time. However the Orioles are hoping he’ll be there for “days and not weeks.”
Hyde also said that Felix Bautista would break camp with the team. So he’ll be on the active roster on Thursday in Toronto. Which is what the Orioles have hoped for since he was injured at the tail end of 2023.
The Orioles will play one final exhibition game tomorrow against Washington at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Cade Povich gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Jake Irvin. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 