Wrapping up a 9-6 loss

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Chris Dickerson homered in the ninth inning today, but the Orioles lost to the Rays 9-6 at Ed Smith Stadium.

Paul Janish came off the bench and had an RBI single and solo home run. Richard Bleier tossed two scoreless innings.

Logan Schafer was 1-for-22 this spring before going 2-for-2 today. A scout from another organization was checking on Schafer again today, noting two nice defensive plays in yesterday's game.

Vidal Nuño will return to Sarasota tonight after pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. He may not report back to camp on Wednesday because of his late arrival.

No camp cuts today. Too many banged up players.

Closer Zach Britton will pitch again on Friday against the Pirates in Bradenton. He allowed two runs and four hits today in his debut.

Britton said he didn't like the quality of his pitches, but manager Buck Showalter labeled the outing as "really good."

"He never is completely happy," Showalter said.

"They take a lot of pride in it. Darren (O'Day) struck out the one guy and they called a ball before he struck him out, and Darren is competitive with that. That's why they're good. These guys, they're not just out there getting their work in and 'My stuff will be there, I'll be there when the bell rings.' They like to get people out. They take a lot of pride in it.

"I'm sure Zach was glad to get that out of the way. He was good, though. Ground balls, broken bats, swinging bunts."

Wade Miley allowed three runs and seven hits in the first two innings before retiring the side in order in the third.

"I thought Wade was a little under the weather today," Showalter said. "He felt something kind of coming on, but he said he was fine to pitch.

"I don't want to use the dead-arm period type of stuff because spring starts so early, but I think we're seeing a little bit of that the last couple of days. No pain or anything. Just some lack of crispness. Velocities are kind of flat-lined right now. They'll pick up as we go forward."

Tyler Wilson may be experiencing it. In his last to appearances, he's allowed eight runs and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

"I thought the first inning was OK, but he's not as crisp as he was and will be," Showalter said. "Of course, a lot of guys fit in that category."

Outfielder Craig Gentry fouled a ball off his back knee in the first inning before drawing a leadoff walk and stealing second base.

"Try doing that at home," Showalter said. "It's pretty impressive because he limps down to first and steals second pretty easily, which is Craig if you know him. I said, 'That hurt. Where did it get you? Knee? Shin?' He goes, 'I really don't want to tell you.'

"Slider/cutter down and in. That's hard to do."

J.J. Hardy had a single and walk today. He also started a 6-4-3 double play by ranging far to his left.

"J.J. felt good again today," Showalter said. "That was good."

Trey Mancini's second game in right field included his first mistake, with a ball skipping past him in the first inning for a gift double. First base coach Wayne Kirby, who works with the outfielders, spoke to Mancini after the inning.