Jiménez on correcting flaws (O's lose 4-0)

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Red Sox 4, Orioles 0

Recap: Ubaldo Jiménez was charged with three earned runs (four total) and four hits in three-plus innings, with two walks and three strikeouts ... Chris Lee's inherited runner scored in the fourth on catcher Francisco Peña's throwing error, but Lee struck out the side in the fifth and retired the side in order with a strikeout in the sixth ... Aneury Tavárez, taken from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft, had three singles and a stolen base in the first five innings ... Brad Brach, who walked four Dominican Republic batters in two-thirds of an inning, retired Boston in order in the seventh with one strikeout.

Need to know: Jiménez threw 31 pitches, 16 strikes, in the first inning ... Jiménez, not known for holding runners, let Chris Young steal second base without a throw after an RBI single in the first ... Tavárez showed off his speed by racing from first to third on Johnny Giavotella's grounder up the third base line ... Craig Gentry was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning, but he stayed in the game after being checked by assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel.

On deck: vs. Pirates in Sarasota, 1:05 p.m. (MASN)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Left-hander Chris Lee didn't allow a run tonight over three innings after replacing Ubaldo Jiménez, an inherited runner scoring on catcher Francisco Peña's throwing error. Lee allowed one hit, walked one batter and struck out four.

Limited to eight appearances at Double-A Bowie last summer due to a strained lat muscle, Lee has surrendered two runs and struck out eight batters this spring over eight innings. He won't break camp with the team, but he's expected to make his major league debut this year as long as he's healthy. He's a legitimate prospect.

Brad Brach retired the Red Sox in order in the seventh inning, striking out one. He walked four Dominican Republic batters in two-thirds of an inning, but he found the plate tonight.

Jiménez didn't find his groove until the first inning was behind him.

"I didn't have my breaking ball and the sinker was up in the zone," he said.

So what happened to make Jiménez retire eight batters in a row?

"They told me I was rushing a little bit, my mechanics were a little bit too fast," he said. "And then in the second I was able to get it back."

Jiménez was making his third spring start. He allowed one run over five innings before tonight, when he was charged with three earned runs in three-plus innings.

"I feel good, I feel really good," he said. "Physically, mentally and everything. Everything's good. I'm just throwing the pitches that I need in order to be ready for the season."

Manager Buck Showalter brought back Jiménez for the fourth inning and let him face one batter to run his pitch count to 58. It was another chance to get an "up" before heading to the clubhouse.

"Yeah, that's the point," Jiménez said. "I'm trying to get into the fourth inning. It doesn't matter if I only face one hitter, but at least warming up in between innings, that is going to count."

These games don't actually count, but Jiménez's struggles in the first inning were similar to what he encountered so often last season before collecting himself down the stretch.

"I know what it takes," he said. "I have to get my fastball command right away and hopefully I get my breaking ball to be working, too."

Jesus Liranzo is pitching the eighth inning with the Orioles behind 4-0.