Gausman leaves game in second after collision (O's down 6-4)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman's first start of the spring today ended with him sitting behind home plate with a towel pressed against his face.

Gausman appeared to collide with the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario while backing up the plate on Leonys Martin's RBI single with one out in the top of the second inning. Candelario returned to the on-deck circle, flexing his leg, while head athletic trainer Brian Ebel and manager Buck Showalter checked on Gausman.

As the Orioles prepared to bat in the bottom of the second inning, Gausman was put on a cart and driven out of the stadium while holding a towel to his head. Ebel sat next to him.

Candelario drew a walk against Gausman's replacement, Matt Wotherspoon, and came out of the game after moving up on James McCann's two-run single.

Ebel went through various steps to check Gausman for a concussion before leading him back to the dugout. Gausman spent several minutes on the ground.

Seven of 10 batters reached against Gausman and he's charged with all five runs, the last two after he exited. He allowed six hits, walked one and struck out two, including McCann on a nasty slider in the first clocked at 81 mph on the stadium radar gun.

John Hicks grounded into a 5-4-3 double play and Gausman escaped a jam that started with back-to-back singles by Martin and Candelario.

Nothing else worked in Gausman's favor today.

Niko Goodrum led off the second with a double and scored on JaCoby Jones' single into center field. Ronny Rodriguez struck out, but Jason Krizan walked and No. 9 hitter Dawel Lugo delivered an RBI single.

Martin followed with a run-scoring single into left field and Gausman raced behind the plate as catcher Chance Sisco fielded the wide throw.

The Orioles will provide an update on Gausman, last year's opening day starter, later this afternoon.

Trey Mancini homered in the first inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. He's the only batter to reach in two innings against Tigers starter Michael Fulmer.

Mychal Givens has entered the game in the third with the Tigers leading 5-1.

Update: The Orioles have confirmed only that Gausman left the game after a collision.

Jonathan Schoop hit a three-run homer off right-hander Spencer Turnbull with two outs in the fourth inning to reduce the Tigers' lead to 5-4.

Givens and Richard Bleier have thrown scoreless innings. Tim Beckham has started two 5-4-3 double plays.

Update II: Jones' RBI single off Jeff Ferrell in the fifth gave the Tigers a 6-4 lead. Sisco threw out Jones trying to steal, but the ball bounced well in front of Schoop.