VandenHurk struggles with control

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

March 06, 2011, 10:00am

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FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Twins scored once off Rick VandenHurk in three innings, increasing their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the seventh. VandenHurk walked four batters, which overshadows everything else today. He needs to find the plate if he's got a chance to make this team. VandenHurk threw only eight strikes among his 19 pitches in the fourth inning, but he didn't allow a run until the fifth, when Denard Span singled and raced home on Tsuyoshi Nishioka's triple. Keep in mind that VandenHurk is out of options and the Orioles don't have a spot waiting for him in the rotation or the bullpen. He'll have to earn it. In two spring appearances, VandenHurk has allowed two runs and four hits, with five walks and two strikeouts, over five innings. The Orioles have four hits today, courtesy of Jake Fox, Felix Pie, Nolan Reimold and Craig Tatum. Cesar Izturis has walked twice. Former Oriole Jim Hoey retired Brendan Harris on a comebacker to the mound. They were involved in the same trade at the winter meetings. Hoey struck out Matt Angle with a 96 mph fastball to end the top of the seventh.