Jimenez tries to extend May momentum

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It's another gorgeous day here as the Orioles and Rays conclude their three-game series. Too bad the roof doesn't open. Ubaldo Jimenez would likely settle for pitching underground as long as it's May. He's coming off a start where he tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings in Minnesota to lower his career ERA this month to 3.76 in 35 outings. Jimenez held the Twins to three hits, walked one and struck out 10 to earn his first victory with the Orioles. He was 0-4 with a 6.59 ERA in five starts last month, leaving him with a 5.23 lifetime ERA in April. The Orioles' rotation has produced 10 quality starts in 31 games. Jimenez will try to make it 11 while limiting manager Buck Showalter's trips to the mound. Jimenez also could save Showalter's hearing. Whenever bullpen coach Dom Chiti calls the visiting dugout, a siren goes off that's loud enough to get the manager's attention in Port Charlotte. Jimenez is 3-1 with a 2.73 in four career starts against the Rays, but in his only start at Tropicana Field in 2012, he surrendered five runs and seven hits and walked five batters in 5 2/3 innings. Yunel Escobar is 7-for-19 (.368) with a home run against Jimenez. James Loney is 9-for-49 (.184) with two doubles, two homers and nine RBIs. Down on the farm, the Orioles have transferred catcher Brian Ward from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk as Caleb Joseph's replacement on the roster. Joseph is expected to start again tonight against Rays left-hander David Price. Welcome to the bigs.