Yovani Gallardo on his start today, the pitching staff struggles and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles fans see the pitching numbers and have expressed concern. The O's staff entered today with a spring ERA of 7.28, the worst in the major leagues.

New O's starter Yovani Gallardo had a rocky outing this afternoon. At humid Ed Smith Stadium, he allowed four hits and five runs and gave up three homers in 2 1/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Gallardo was told about the fans' concern over the pitching during his post-start interview outside the Orioles clubhouse. For now, he said, the players should not be overly concerned with the pitching this spring.

"Not really," he said. "For us, I think it is preparing for that first game of the season. You look at the spring training years that I've had. I've never really had a good one. Just for the fact that you are working on certain things.

"The fans, they see the numbers. But there are more things to it than just that. You are preparing for the year. You are not going to win anything in spring training. But at the same time, you want to go out there feeling confident and getting your work in."

In his second Orioles appearance, Gallardo allowed homers to two of the first three batters he faced. Tyler Goeddel led off with a homer and, one out later, Maikel Franco crushed a fastball to left.

After Gallardo needed 29 pitches in that opening inning, he sailed through a 1-2-3 second frame on eight pitches. But in the third, Franco hit another homer - this one was a three-run shot - as Philadelphia opened a 5-0 lead.

"Felt pretty good, but the results weren't there," Gallardo said. "Made some mistakes. More with the slider. That is the frustrating part. The consistency and the command is not there. I was able to command the fastball and that is one of the positive things that I did today. To command the fastball away to a right-handed hitter, so that's a good sign."

What does he need to work on with his slider?

"Just finishing out in front. I think the most important thing, I was getting around it a little bit too much. That was causing it to stay right there or back up. That's not good. I threw a couple that were good and the other ones just weren't there. It could be one of the last things to come.

"I'm not saying it is easier for a hitter to prepare, but once you get that timing down. You can ask any hitter, once they get that, they can feel comfortable. For a pitcher, you haven't pitched in a game in six months. The most important thing is feeling comfortable out there. Getting where your mechanics are right. It takes time and is frustrating for sure. We have to remember it is spring and there is a long way to go."

Gallardo has allowed eight runs in 4 1/3 innings for an ERA of 16.62 in his two starts - both against Philadelphia. The results are not what he is looking for. But after signing with the Orioles after spring training had begun (Feb. 25), he still feels on track to be ready come opening day.

"Yeah, I feel fine. I feel good," he said. "Just signing a week late, might be a little behind. More mechanics-wise, finding that release point. I'm not worried about it. The main thing is getting my work in and building up that pitch count."