Brugman outrighted to Norfolk (Orioles fall 7-1)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Outfielder Jaycob Brugman has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, keeping him in the organization. He'll return to major league camp on Monday.

The Orioles designated Brugman for assignment on Wednesday while re-signing starter Chris Tillman.

Brugman gives the Orioles another left-handed hitting outfielder to join Colby Rasmus and Alex Presley, who were signed to minor league deals. Brugman has options and can be sent down if he fails to break camp with the team.

Pedro Álvarez is guaranteed $1 million if he joins the Orioles after reaching agreement today on a minor league deal. Incentives tied to plate appearances can earn Alvarez $3 million.

Gabriel Ynoa threw 46 pitches today, 31 for strikes, over two innings. He had a laborious first inning, complicated by Ryan Mountcastle's throwing error after backhanding Hanley Ramirez's bouncer.

Mountcastle, who committed a fielding error in the intrasquad game, glanced toward second before firing wide of first. Blake Swihart followed with a double off the left field wall to score Xander Bogaerts, who singled, and give Boston a 1-0 lead.

Tzu-Wei Lin walked with two outs to load the bases, but Ynoa struck out Esteban Quiroz. Ynoa struck out the side in the first and retired the side in order in the second with another strikeout.

Ynoa, Mike Wright Jr. and Nestor Cortes Jr. have each allowed one run over two innings in their starts.

Jayson Aquino struck out the side with a walk in the third inning. Orioles pitchers have notched seven strikeouts in three innings.

The first nine Orioles were retired before Craig Gentry singled off Matt Barnes to lead off the top of the fourth. Austin Hays walked with one out, but Anthony Santander grounded into a double play.

Update: Rubén Tejada reached on an infield hit with two outs in the fifth inning, stole second base and scored on Luis Sardiñas' single to tie the game 1-1. But Rule 5 pick José Mesa Jr. served up a two-run homer to Blake Swihart and a solo shot to Jeremy Barfield in consecutive at-bats in the bottom of the fifth to give the Red Sox a 4-1 lead.

Austin Wynns threw out Rusney Castillo trying to steal second base before the home runs.

Aquino tossed two scoreless innings after replacing Ynoa.

Here's Ynoa following his outing, via translator Ramón Alarcón:

On his strong second inning: "I felt very well. The mindset was to attack the hitters, trust my pitches and go after the hitters."

On how this is a big spring: "I think I'm in a really good place right now. There's a big opportunity for me and I want to make the most out of it."

On rocky first inning: "I was not commanding my fastball. That's what happened that first inning, after the second hitter. But afterward I was able to make the adjustment and attack the hitters and get ahead of them."

On how much he thinks about last rotation spot: "I feel good right now. My mindset feels really good. Just trying to make the team to make a decision on that and whatever they decide, it's really up to them."

On whether being out of options changes mindset: "It could change, but to be honest it doesn't change me at all. I still have the mindset of going out there and helping the team and trying to make a really good impression so that they can make a decision."

Update II: The Red Sox scored twice off Luis Gonzalez in the sixth and lead 6-1.

Update III: Michael Kelly walked in a run with two outs in the eighth inning to increase Boston's lead to 7-1. He was removed after two-thirds of an inning.

Update IV: It's a 7-1 final.