Wrapping up a 6-6 tie and updating injuries

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles were headed toward a split-squad loss today against the Twins, down by five runs with four outs left in regulation. David Washington hit a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth, Joey Rickard hit a solo shot off reliever Ryan O'Rourke with two outs in the ninth and Ryan Mountcastle launched a two-run shot to tie the game.

Neither team scored in the 10th and they settled for a 6-6 tie.

Another crazy day in the Grapefruit League.

Manager Buck Showalter left the dugout after the top of the ninth and briefly met with the media outside the clubhouse before heading to Tampa for tonight's game against the Yankees. Brian Graham, director of player development, served as manager and minor league pitching coordinator John Wasdin served as pitching coach.

Washington, known for his power and strikeouts, put a dent in the batters eye in center field to reduce the Twins lead to 6-3. Rickard lined a ball over the left field fence to bring the Orioles within two runs, Craig Gentry singled and Mountcastle knotted the score.

Mountcastle, the 36th overall pick in 2015 who played shortstop last year at Single-A Delmarva, was appearing in his second Grapefruit League game. He pinch-ran last spring, but didn't make it on the field or to the plate.

Mountcastle, 20, popped up today in his first at-bat after replacing shortstop Manny Machado. With another chance to hit in the ninth, he crushed a first-pitch fastball from O'Rourke and boarded a van for Tampa.

"It's real exciting," he said. "A little nervous out there the first time, but after an inning or two you get back to it's just baseball doing your normal thing.

"I got an at-bat earlier, felt good. Pretty cool experience."

Left-hander Brian Moran, the nephew of former Oriole B.J. Surhoff, retired the side in order in the top of the 10th. The Orioles selected him from the Braves in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.

Moran almost served up a leadoff home run to Tommy Field, but Gentry made a leaping catch at the center field fence.

Kevin Gausman allowed one run and one hit in two innings.

"He was crisp," Showalter said. "It was good to see. Feeling good. Normal soreness and stiffness early part of camp. Good to see him get that behind him."

Jason Garcia allowed three runs and walked two batters in two innings.

"Just never got comfortable," Showalter said. "Just never seemed to get in any type of rhythm, command. He's got the stuff. He's just got to get out of his own way sometimes."

Darren O'Day made his first appearance and struck out two batters in a scoreless sixth. He allowed one hit.

"That's encouraging," Showalter said. "Darren feels real good, knock on wood. I'm not going to talk about the feedback he's given us and jinx him, but he's in a good place.

"See if we can get Zach (Britton) back here shortly. He's moving toward the mound, too."

X-rays on infielder Chris Johnson's right thumb came back negative. He was hit by a pitch and replaced by Sean Coyle.

Infielders Ryan Flaherty and Paul Janish have been cleared to play Friday against the Pirates in Bradenton.

"They're both released to play starting tomorrow. That's good," Showalter said.

Tyler Wilson is scheduled to go three innings tonight against the Yankees. Other pitchers on the trip include Joe Gunkel, Oliver Drake, Jed Bradley, John Means, Stefan Crichton, Garrett Cleavinger, Cody Satterwhite and Keegan Akin, last year's second-round pick.

Austin Hays and DJ Stewart, who walked with two outs in the eighth before Washington's home run, are headed to Tampa.