Showalter speaks after 5-4 loss to Blue Jays

DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Orioles lost today for the third time in five exhibition games, falling to the Blue Jays 5-4 at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

It was hardly worth waiting through a 1 hour, 40 minute rain delay, but at least there's the long drive home in heavy traffic.

Manager Buck Showalter said no roster cuts are imminent. He also said Brian Graham, Rick Peterson and a few other instructors were heading over to minor league camp today. Alan Mills, Mike Griffin and Scott McGregor are staying on the major league side.

Eddie Gamboa didn't pitch today, but Showalter made sure the right-hander watched Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. The veteran's floater was lethal and Gamboa could learn from him.

"I'd love for him to spend some time with R.A., but I think the time watching him throw ..." said Showalter, who chatted with Dickey on the field following the game.

"Dom (Chiti) was talking to him a lot about R.A.'s history. The thing that R.A.'s got over him is R.A. was a failed starter in the big leagues. He knew his stuff wouldn't play in the big leagues and I think that's what Eddie's fighting a little bit, because he's never really had that failure as a starter with his conventional stuff. It was OK, but the only thing we're fighting is for him to give in all the way."

Executive vice president Dan Duquette attended today's game. He wore an Orioles hoodie and was subjected to some playful barbs from reporters after stopping by the press box. We dusted off a few Blue Jays jokes.

Here's more from Showalter:

On Mike Wright:
"Good. He just got a fastball out over the plate. You can see why everybody likes his stuff. He's got a good arm. It was a good first outing. Sit around a long time waiting, he's a young guy. It's part of the game, though."

On Jimmy Paredes:
"I like Jimmy. He's firing on all cylinders. He's trying to make the club from the first pitch of spring training. Jimmy made a lot of contributions last year. He's worked hard defensively. Trying to give him some looks in the outfield here and there, but we have so many outfielders, it's kind of tough right now. But Jimmy can do some things offensively. He's had a good spring so far."

On Steve Johnson's throwing error:
"I think he got it stuck in his webbing. He's a good-fielding pitcher, so that's unusual, but get that one out of the way. I thought he came back and made some good pitches."

On Alejandro De Aza, who homered today:
"His time in Baltimore has been pretty good. He's done well."