Norris lasts 2 2/3 innings vs. Cardinals

JUPITER, Fla. - Bud Norris fell an out short of making it three consecutive Orioles starters to work three innings with today's outing against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium.

Norris took a 1-0 lead into the third before serving up a three-run homer to former Orioles infielder Mark Reynolds following a one-out single and walk. Norris allowed three runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings, with three walks, one strikeout and a hit batter. He threw 54 pitches, 28 for strikes.

In his first two spring starts, Norris has permitted seven runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Norris lasted only one inning in his debut against the Red Sox and allowed four runs and four hits. He threw 24 pitches in the first today, only 12 for strikes, and left the bases loaded after a walk, infield hit and hit batter.

Norris also ran into trouble in the second after a leadoff single and walk, but Pete Kozma grounded into a 5-4-3 double play and Matt Carpenter grounded to second.

Manager Buck Showalter said before the game that he hoped Norris could last two or three innings today. He settled for 2 2/3 on a hot day in Jupiter.

Brad Brach replaced Norris and allowed a double to Tony Cruz, a walk to Ty Kelly and a RBI single to Pete Kozma before getting out of the inning. The Orioles are down 4-1.

The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the first inning off Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia. Jayson Nix singled with one out, Nolan Reimold walked with two outs and Jimmy Paredes followed with an RBI double to right-center field. Reimold was out at the plate.

Reimold has drawn four walks in seven games. Paredes is 6-for-14 with two doubles and two RBIs.

Today's lineup also includes Christian Walker at first base, Matt Tuiasosopo in left field and Dariel Alvarez in center. The long trip and Friday's journey to Dunedin have allowed Showalter to give rare starts to a handful of players.

"None of these guys are going to leave this camp and not think they had an opportunity or a chance, and it helps us make our evaluations on them. And R.J. (Ron Johnson) gets to see them," Showalter said.

Showalter confirmed that catcher Matt Wieters will stay back in camp Friday rather than travel to Dunedin. Wieters served as the designated hitter in three straight home games before today.

Henry Urrutia is on the bench today and could get a few innings in the outfield. He made a nice running catch in right yesterday.

"He's improved," Showalter said. "He's worked very hard at it. I thought he made a tough play even though the wind was blowing in. He made a play over in (Fort Myers) that a lot of people thought wasn't, but the wind knocked the ball down the whole way, and it's something that he's really worked hard at.

"He spent a lot of the offseason attacking some of the things that people might question from time to time, which was good to see."