A few pregame notes (Orioles lose 5-3)

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Braves 5, Orioles 3

Recap: Zach Davies allowed four runs (three earned) and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, with two walks and one strikeout. Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run off Davies in the first, and Pedro Ciriaco and Phil Gosselin had RBI singles in the second. Glynn Davis' throwing error in right field allowed a run to score with two outs in the third. Christian Walker got the Orioles on the board with an RBI single in the fifth. Chris Parmelee had a pinch-hit RBI double in the seventh and a solo homer in the ninth off Craig Kimbrel. Derrick Bleeker, an outfielder-turned-pitcher, threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings after replacing Davies. Mychal Givens allowed a run in the sixth on Mychal Jones' RBI double. Chaz Roe retired the Braves in order in the seventh and eighth.

Need to know: Davies went to the bullpen after coming out of the game, and pitching coach Dave Wallace offered some tips. Davis made a nice running catch in right field to rob Nick Markakis of an extra-base hit in the first inning. Markakis fouled out in the second and singled in the fourth. Ozzie Martinez doubled with one out in the first and Christian Walker followed with a single, but they were stranded. Martinez also singled in the third and fifth innings. Second baseman Rey Navarro made a nice play in the second to retire Eric Young Jr., charging a slow bouncer and flipping the ball to first with his glove. In the sixth, he threw out Corban Joseph (brother of Caleb Joseph) trying to score on Jones' double.

On deck: Monday, at Rays in St. Petersburg, 3:05 p.m. (MASN2)
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles are trying to make at least one trade before Monday's opener to provide roster relief.

It doesn't appear that any move would be designed to improve the 25-man roster as much as thinning out the crowd.

Manager Buck Showalter cut short his pregame session with the media because executive vice president Dan Duquette walked into the clubhouse.

It still sounds like the Orioles will reassign outfielder Nolan Reimold to minor league camp rather than hold onto him for a day (or more) in April and be forced to put him on waivers as Chris Davis returns from his suspension or players come off the disabled list.

The Orioles would have to decide between catcher Steve Clevenger or left-hander T.J. McFarland for the final roster spot. My gut tells me Clevenger, but he's a trade candidate.

Cuts could be announced following the game.

Infielder Jimmy Paredes' back has improved, but he's still headed to the disabled list.

Nothing new on catcher Matt Wieters. Showalter said Wieters' progress from elbow tendinitis is "going much like it should."

Wieters and shortstop J.J. Hardy (left shoulder) received treatment today on the off-day.

Bud Norris will pitch two innings Sunday in an 11 a.m. intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium. Outfielder David Lough will be in the lineup.

Norris will start the home opener on April 10 against the Blue Jays.

The Orioles bullpen today behind starter Zach Davies consists of Chaz Roe, Mychal Givens, Branden Kline, Bobby Bundy, Dennis Torres, Gene Escat and Derrick Bleeker.

Grab your media guides.

The Braves changed starting pitchers, going with left-hander Eric Stults. Mike Foltynewicz will pitch in relief.

For the Braves
Eric Young Jr. CF
Nick Markakis RF
Freddie Freeman 1B
A.J. Pierzynski C
Kelly Johnson LF
Jonny Gomes DH
Alberto Callaspo 3B
Pedro Ciriaco SS
Phil Gosselin 2B

Eric Stults LHP

Update: Freddie Freeman homered off Davies in the first inning to give Atlanta a 1-0 lead.

Pedro Ciriaco and Phil Gosselin had RBI singles in the second following a walk and Alberto Callaspo's double, expanding the lead to 3-0.

Ozzie Martinez doubled in the top of the first and Christian Walker followed with a single, but the next two batters popped up to short.

Update II: Davies allowed four runs (three earned) and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, with two walks, one strikeout and one home run. He left the game after Nick Markakis' single put two runners on base, and Derrick Bleeker induced a double play grounder.

The Orioles strung together three straight singles with two outs in the fifth, with Christian Walker registering an RBI to cut the Braves' lead to 4-1.

Update III: Mychal Givens gave up a run in the sixth on Mycal Jones' RBI double. Givens walked two batters.

The Braves lead 5-1.

Update IV: Chris Parmelee had a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh to reduce Atlanta's lead to 5-2. The Braves committed two errors in the inning. I managed to pay attention long enough to see both of them.