Joey Rickard on the day and win: "It was amazing" (plus other clubhouse quotes)

For a guy who was playing for the Single-A Charlotte Stone Crabs this time last year, this was not a bad day.

Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard hit .397 this spring and he kept up the pace today on a much bigger stage. Rickard went 2-for-4 on opening day in his major league debut in the Orioles' 3-2 walk-off win over the Minnesota Twins.

"It was amazing," the 24-year-old Rickard said. "It was all I thought of plus more. Passionate fans out there and they loved it and they supported me. Hope I can keep giving them what they want. I can't describe the feeling right now, it's amazing and I'm going to go enjoy it with some family and friends."

Rickard became the 27th Oriole since 1974 to record a hit in his first major league at-bat when he singled in the second inning. In his next at-bat, he doubled to right in the fifth and scored. He got the first hit on an 0-2 count and the second on a 1-2 pitch.

"I was just hunting for a pitch," he said. "I didn't get it, yet and I did a good job of laying off the tough ones. I just waited for a mistake and tonight I was able to put a good swing on it.

"Whether it showed or not, I was very nervous out there. Growing up, this is where I wanted to be. Finally being here, it kind of took me back a little bit. These guys around me, they comforted me very well and that helps a lot."

This must give him some confidence now going into the second game of his big league career.

"That's the beauty of this game, you know," Rickard said. "Have a bad day or good day (and) you go out there and do it again, so I'm going to enjoy this one for sure and get back out there Wednesday."

Now he has a nice memento of his first game: the ball that produced his first hit.

"I would probably lose it, so I'm going to give it to my dad tomorrow. I'm sure he'll take care of it for me," Rickard said.

Rickard is the first Rule 5 draft pick to ever start on opening day for the Orioles the year after he was selected. According to STATS, Inc., the last Orioles Rule 5 pick to appear in an opener was Jose Bautista in 2004.

MORE CLUBHOUSE QUOTES

Mark Trumbo on some good at-bats by the O's in the ninth: "You have to pick your spot, you know. That was a great at-bat by Chris (Davis, who walked with two outs) because he stayed disciplined and gave us a chance to keep going. Sometimes it pays off to pull the reins back and see a pitch to get on. The biggest thing was the unwavering fan support that kind of kept propeling us. Huge hit by Matt (Wieters) there at the end."

Pitcher Tyler Wilson on entering in the third inning: "When we had the rain delay and it started getting extended, you could kind of assume one thing will lead to another. Tilly (Chris Tillman) looked awesome today, it would have been nice to see him go extended without an interruption by rain. But that's the job. Be ready when the phone rings.

"I just challenged the zone. We have the best defense in baseball and those guys make great plays behind me. Today was go out, throw strikes, work ahead and make pitches when I needed to."

Chris Tillman on his strong two innings: "I felt good. Command was there from the get go. I was able to mix things in as the game went. It was only two (innings), but it felt good. That was huge today, big day from Tyler. Our whole bullpen got some keys outs throughout the game. It was kind of a staff day, run everyone out there."

Tillman was asked if he can build off this and have a solid year: "I believe so, yeah. That is the same stuff I carried all spring. Was able to execute and make some good pitches."

Matt Wieters on the ninth inning: "It was a little more of an emphasis in spring training this year to really grind out at-bats. With our lineup, we feel comfortable turning it over to the guy behind us."

Wieters on the fans: "We have a great fanbase. For Joey, the ovation he got, it shows you how Orioles fans are."

Wieters was very impressed with Tillman: "Best stuff I've seen him carry. He's had plenty of big games for us, but stuff-wise, opening day, that's as good as I've seen him."

Adam Jones on hitting Wieters with a postgame cake, not a pie: "Plead the fifth. Plead the fifth. That's a valid answer."