Orioles sign Bellatti to minor league deal (O's down 5-1)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles signed right-hander Andrew Bellatti, formerly of the Rays organization, to a minor league contract and sent him to Twin Lakes Park. He doesn't receive a spring training invite.

Bellatti, 25, made his major league debut in 2015 and went 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 17 relief appearances. He allowed six earned runs and 16 hits in 23 1/3 innings, with 10 walks and 18 strikeouts.

The former 12th-round pick in 2009 out of Steele Canyon (Cal.) High is 24-27 with a 3.81 ERA in eight minor league seasons. He's made 36 starts among his 197 appearances.

Bellatti pitched at three levels of the Rays system last summer while recovering from a shoulder injury. He went a combined 0-3 with a 6.91 ERA in 13 games at Triple-A Durham (six games), Double-A Montgomery (four) and Single-A Charlotte (three).

The Rays designated Bellatti for assignment on June 24.

Wade Miley allowed seven hits, all singles, in the first two innings today while falling behind 3-0 to the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium.

Miley's pitch count was up to 49 in two innings, but he retired the side in order in the third. He threw 63 pitches, 40 strikes.

The Rays strung together four straight two-out singles in the first, with Steven Souza Jr. and Curt Casali getting RBIs. Trey Mancini was charged with an error in right field when Corey Dickerson's ball scooted past him.

Dickerson had an RBI single with two outs in the second.

The Orioles got a run back in their half of the second on Craig Gentry's one-out single after walks to Francisco Peña and Robert Andino. Rays left-hander Blake Snell walked five of the first nine batters.

Closer Zach Britton is making his spring debut as we begin the top of the fourth inning. I'll update this entry.

Update: Britton allowed two runs (one earned) and three hits in the fourth. Chris Johnson committed an error that let the second run score.

Britton had the Rays hitting the ball on the ground and said he felt good physically. Just wasn't happy with the results.