Ubaldo Jimenez talks about his outing today (Orioles lose 5-3)

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Blue Jays 5, Orioles 3

Recap: Ubaldo Jimenez pitched three scoreless innings and became the first Baltimore starter to pitch four innings this spring. But he allowed three runs on three hits in the second as the Orioles fell behind 3-2. He gave up an RBI single to Daric Barton and two-run double to former Oriole Chris Dickerson. Jimenez allowed five hits and three runs with no walks, one strikeout, a hit batter and two wild pitches. T.J. McFarland gave up two runs over two innings. Henry Urrutia had three hits and two RBIs.

Need to know: The Orioles are 3-9 and have lost seven of their last eight games. With two more scoreless innings, Tyler Wilson has worked six scoreless innings this spring.

On deck: Saturday, vs. Tampa Bay in Sarasota, 1:05 p.m. (on MASN HD)
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DUNEDIN, Fla. - Ubaldo Jimenez felt good and said he had good fastball command. He didn't walk anyone, but that start where he keeps the opponent off the scoreboard eluded him again today.

He blanked Toronto in three out of four frames but gave up three runs and hits in the second inning here today. He went four innings in the game that Toronto is leading 5-2 in the seventh.

Jimenez would certainly like better results, but said after his start that he can't change his spring approach in the search for zeroes.

"You know what, like I've said before, from the first day of spring training, I've never put that in my mind like you have to put up zeroes because you are competing," Jimenez said. "I'm doing the same thing I've been doing the last 13 spring trainings, counting the minor leagues, and that is getting myself ready for the season. That is the only thing I have in my mind: Do what you have to do to get ready for the season."

Jimenez became the first Orioles pitcher to work four innings, allowing five hits and three runs with no walks, one strikeout, a hit batter and two wild pitches. His velocity crept up into the low 90s later in his 63-pitch (42 strikes) outing.

"Felt good," he said. "I was able to do what I wanted to today and that was command the fastball. Working on my mechanics. I felt really comfortable out there and could throw the fastball wherever I wanted, inside or outside."

Jimenez was asked about the three-run Toronto second.

"Just a couple of hits and a bad pitch with the double. Not like I got into trouble walking guys or anything. I was able to put everything in the game that I've been (working on)," he said.

He's now allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on nine hits over 7 1/3 innings in three games. He did put up back-to-back scoreless innings to end his outing.

"It felt great, especially going to the fourth inning," he said. "It was the first time I've done it this year. Especially having a guy at third base and leaving him there, I felt really good. In the last inning, I felt the best with my command."

He is still working with his retooled mechanics, trying to make his windup second nature and not something he has to think about.

"As the game goes on, I felt better and better every time I go to the mound," Jimenez said. "Today, I felt really comfortable. I didn't even think about it. I didn't think you have to bring your hands over here, you have to stay tall. No, I just grabbed the ball and threw it. It came naturally. That's something that we are looking for, and that's what we have been working a lot in the bullpens and every time I play catch. As many times as I get on the mound, I'm going to get more comfortable where I don't have to worry about it."