Ubaldo Jimenez has walked off the mound before at Camden Yards and heard boos. Tonight, he was cheered throughout a seven-inning outing where he allowed just one hit and no runs in a 7-1 Orioles win over Toronto.
He sees his 2015 season as a fresh start and a chance to put 2014 in his rear-view mirror.
"Yes I do. I did from the first day of spring training," Jimenez said. "You have to forget about what happened in the past and you have to forget quick. It doesn't matter whether it is good or bad. You can't do anything with the past.
"It felt great (to be cheered). Every time I was pounding the strike zone, they were very excited. We got our first win at home, feels great.
"The main thing was I had good command of the fastball. I kept the ball down and (Caleb) Joseph was calling a great game. I was executing the pitches."
Jimenez retired the first nine batters before the only hit he allowed, a single to left by Jose Reyes in the fourth. And his defense was sharp behind him.
"There is no question about that. Every time you pound the zone, the fielders will be on their toes," Jimenez said. "If you start throwing a lot of balls like what happened last year, the guys will be sleeping a little bit.
"I mean, it's a good start. When you have a start like that you will feel more comfortable, more confident for the next game."
Jimenez walked one and fanned eight, throwing 96 pitches. It was a carry-over from a spring where he walked just three batters over his last 23 innings.
"Yes, it is. Like I told you guys, even the first game of spring, I felt good with the command," he said. "Definitely was going to be improving and I did. Every start, I improved my command and threw the breaking balls when I needed to. If you pound the zone with two-seam fastballs and then breaking balls, it's not easy to hit."
Jimenez was asked what he will have to do to get fans and reporters to stop talking about his 2014 season.
"You know what, the only thing I worry about is to be there for the team," he said. "If I pitch good, they will forget it, but my main goal is be there for the team. Can't be worried about what everyone is thinking."
This was his eighth career start allowing one hit or fewer. He pitched a no-hitter April 17, 2010 at Atlanta. He began this season like he had something to prove.
"I mean, every year, that is what you have to put in your mind," he said. "Every year is different and you have to be there for the team. Especially when you have a bad year, like I did last year. Of course I do (have something to prove)."
Here are some other clubhouse quotes:
Caleb Joseph on Jimenez: "He was awesome. He was like a video game out there. I haven't caught very many major league games, but that may have been one of the funnest, just especially what he's been through over the last year or so and then working really hard and getting better each and every spring training start, and then when the lights really come on, playing for real, he does such a great job. It was fun. It was fun to be a part of.
"He's a friend. He's a teammate. We kind of went through that with him. Nobody likes to watch a teammate struggle and it was never an issue of want or desire or effort. It just wasn't happening, and so for him to come out, especially after opening day and kind of the letdown that was there, for him to come up and kind of turn the tables on such a good lineup, it was special."
Jonathan Schoop on his grand slam: "Really good. Any time you get your first grand slam in the big leagues it's really good, not just for you, but for the team, too. If you go through ups and downs a lot, you've got to learn. Especially when you're down. And with more experience, the guys around me are trying to make me better. The new hitting coach, too, has helped me a lot with my routine and plan. So far, so good."
Schoop on Manny Machado making a gesture toward him after making a great play: "Me and Manny just joke around all the time, keep it loose. Nelson Cruz used to do it with us, so now me and Manny keep it loose like he taught us."
Chris Davis on his offense and Jimenez: "I was taking some good swings. I think my pitch selection was better tonight. It definitely feels good to get one into left-center, left field.
"After yesterday, to shut that team down the way he did, it was pretty impressive. I just thought he really pitched tonight. He trusted his stuff and executed his game plan. Saw a lot of off-balance swings and takes on pitches that were right there, so that tells you how much the ball was moving. Glad for him to throw the way we know he is capable of throwing.
"We made some ridiculous plays on defense. Manny and that play that Everth (Cabrera) made up the middle. He almost took my glove off. Felt like I might need a catcher's mask over at first at some point, but a lot of fun to be a part of. Glad we bounced back. Not always easy to bounce back after an opener like that."
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