Steve Pearce on home runs, Miguel Gonzalez on outing (O's win 5-3)

ORIOLES QUICK RECAP

Score: Orioles 5, Twins 3

Recap: Steve Pearce launched a three-run homer in the top of second inning to break a 1-1 tie. Caleb Joseph doubled to score Jonathan Schoop and Paul Janish singled before Pearce's at-bat. Delmon Young hit his first spring home run with two outs in the fifth for a 5-2 lead. He absolutely crushed it. Miguel Gonzalez threw 80 pitches in 3 2/3 innings and allowed two runs and six hits. T.J. McFarland allowed one run in 2 1/3 innings. Zach Britton retired the Twins in order in the seventh with a strikeout. Ryan Webb made his first appearance since March 6 and pitched a scoreless eighth. Logan Verrett tossed a scoreless ninth for the save.

Need to know: Pearce has hit four home runs in five games since last Saturday. Janish made his first start in the field and looked good at shortstop, which is to be expected. He's a plus-defender. Gonzalez hasn't walked a batter in 12 2/3 innings. He's struck out 11. Joseph's RBI double came on the same day that manager Buck Showalter said Matt Wieters is likely headed to the disabled list. Joseph is the favorite to be the starter in Wieters' absence. McFarland hadn't gone more than two innings before today, reaching that total in three appearances.

On deck: Sunday vs. Cardinals in Sarasota, 1:05 p.m.
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FORT MYERS, Fla. - Steve Pearce has hit four home runs in a span of five games since last Saturday. Does his contract include a clause about leading the Grapefruit League in that department?

"I hope so, but I'm not trying to," Pearce said after launching a three-run shot today in the top of the second inning. "Just trying to get some barrel. I feel comfortable at the plate. We're trying to work on things."

Pearce said it's important to get off to a good start, which he's done this spring, after setting career-highs across the board in 2014.

"I don't want people to think it was a fluke," he said. "I know I can play. It definitely would help a lot more if I started off hot."

So nothing really has changed in a year. Pearce also needed to put up good numbers when he wasn't assured of having a job.

"I'm not happy with bad at-bats," he said. "I don't care what time of year it is. I'm always trying to get better. I have a plan at the plate and I want to get consistent at-bats so I can take it into the season."

Told that he hasn't traveled as much this spring, Pearce quipped, "Well, ever since you guys have been making all this up, I've been on like five road trips in five weeks, so I'm not going to comment on that."

The Orioles lead 5-3 in the top of the ninth. Zach Britton retired the side with a strikeout in the seventh and Ryan Webb allowed a hit in a scoreless eighth.

Webb hadn't pitched since March 6.

Miguel Gonzalez was satisfied with his outing despite lasting only 3 2/3 innings. He threw 80 pitches and left with a 4-2 lead.

"I felt great," he said. "I executed my pitches. That's been an issue with my splitty. I definitely was happy with it this time. My fastball command was very good. Caleb (Joseph) did a great job and made some nice plays. Overall, I know I didn't go five innings, but I got my work in and that's what really matters."

The Orioles wanted Gonzalez to get into the 70-75 pitch range.

"That's what we really talked about before the game," he said. "That 15-pitch at-bat, I've been training a little bit. I got something out of it.

"I really want to be getting out there more times, but not after that 15-pitch at-bat. I thought Buck (Showalter) did a great job of getting out there and giving me some time to relax and really take it all in, and next time go five, six."

It's a scorching day at Hammond Stadium, which should prepare Gonzalez for those Baltimore summers.

"I think there's been hotter days out there," he said. "I had fun out there. It's my first time coming down here and pitching here. I really had a good feeling with everything and I'm happy about it."

Gonzalez was told about the probability that catcher Matt Wieters will go on the disabled list.

"We know that Wieters wants to be out there," Gonzalez said. "He's been doing a great job and obviously he's not ready. He doesn't feel quite ready yet, so they're going to take it easy on him and go day by day and see how he feels. We're definitely excited to see him out there again and hopefully by May he's 100 percent and ready to go."