Gausman considers today "a win" (Twins, O's tie 6-6 in 10)

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Twins 6, Orioles (ss) 6 (10 innings)

Recap: Manny Machado and Chris Davis had back-to-back two-out doubles off Phil Hughes in the first inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. ... Kevin Gausman allowed one run and one hit - an Eddie Rosario triple - and struck out two batters in two innings. ... Jason Garcia surrendered three runs in the third on two hits, a walk and a hit batter. ... Jorge Polanco had a three-run double off Garcia and a solo home run off Donnie Hart. ...David Washington hit a two-run homer in the eighth. In the ninth, Joey Rickard connected for a solo shot and Ryan Mountcastle's two-run homer tied it.

Need to know: Gausman's fastball topped out at 94 mph in the first inning and 95 mph in the second. ... Mark Trumbo drew a 10-pitch walk off Hughes. ... Darren O'Day struck out two batters and allowed one hit in a scoreless sixth. ... Chris Johnson was hit on the right hand and replaced by Sean Coyle. ... Machado doubled and singled in his first two at-bats.

On deck: Friday, at Pirates in Bradenton, 1:05 p.m.
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SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day made his Grapefruit League debut today and struck out two batters in a scoreless inning. He allowed a two-out single and induced a ground ball to complete his afternoon.

The Twins scored three runs against Jason Garcia in the third inning and lead the split-squad Orioles 5-1 in the eighth at Ed Smith Stadium.

The bus for Tampa left around 2:15 p.m.

Kevin Gausman was done after two innings today, retiring six of the seven batters he faced. Eddie Rosario's fly ball near the left field line eluded the diving Hyun Soo Kim, and he scored on Drew Stubbs' fly ball for the only damage against Gausman.

"First time getting out there, the most important thing is how you feel physically," Gausman said. "I feel good physically. No limitations on that, so I say today's a win.

"Threw a lot of strikes. I feel like I was moving around my fastball pretty good. Second inning a little bit different than the first. Got into some deep counts, but threw some real good sliders, too. I'd say definitely a good day."

The Orioles scored one run for Gausman on back-to-back doubles by Manny Machado and Chris Davis. That's usually a full day's production when he's starting.

In case you hadn't heard, the Orioles skimped on the runs last season with Gausman on the mound. Ten of his 18 quality starts ended with a loss or no-decision. It got to be a common theme during his postgame interviews.

"You want to not stick up for yourself too much," Gausman said. "It was tough at times. Sometimes I felt like I threw the ball really good. It kind of seemed like if I gave up two runs, we got one run or something like that. But you can't really think about it too much.

"That's something I did the second half. I just tried to focus on what I could do and that's going deep in games and giving my team a chance to win, and if you can do that consistently, I think, one, it's only going to help you, and it's going to be a lot easier for you to live with yourself."

Gausman was 1-6 with a 4.15 ERA in 15 starts before the break and 8-6 with a 3.10 in 15 starts in the second half. He posted a 2.45 ERA in six starts in August, striking out 41 batters in 36 2/3 innings.

With Chris Tillman expected to begin the season on the disabled list, Gausman is the favorite to start opening day against the Blue Jays.

"It's crossed my mind," he said. "I didn't really think about it. The last week, I started having people text me, asking questions about it.

"I don't know anything. I go out there and get my work in right now and be ready to pitch, whether it's the first game of the season or the sixth or the seventh. There's no way of knowing. Right now, it's just about preparation."

Gausman started the 2016 season on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder, his first start delayed until April 25 and his first win coming on June 25.

"Every spring, I go through a little bit of dead arm," he said. "This offseason was the first offseason I started doing physical therapy for my arm. I feel good right now. I feel strong after two innings.

"I always say, the hitters will let you know. You might be great in the bullpens and feel great, but once you get in the game it's a different beast.'

Gausman's next game, if he stays on schedule, would come Tuesday afternoon in Sarasota against the Dominican Republic team that's playing in the World Baseball Classic. He could face Machado and Welington Castillo, plus former teammate Nelson Cruz.

"I have no idea," he said. "Pretty good lineup, right? That'll be a test, definitely."

Update: Logan Verrett retired the side in order in the seventh, but the Twins strung together three straight singles in the eighth to lead 6-1.

Update II: David Washington, batting for the first time today. hit a two-run homer to center field after DJ Stewart walked. The ball hit more than halfway up the batters eye and reduced Minnesota's lead to 6-3.