Darren O'Day on his spring and lack of success vs. Buck Britton

SARASOTA, Fla. - A pitcher who rated as the best reliever on the free agent market this winter, who's posted ERAs of 2.28, 2.18, 1.70 and 1.52 over the past four seasons, would figure to go unchanged in spring training. No reason to tweak. No need to try something new.

Then there's Orioles set-up man Darren O'Day, who's doing a little experimenting in his side sessions and during games.

You won't get specifics from manager Buck Showalter, who isn't keen on educating the opposition. But it's safe to say that O'Day is working on a few things that haven't been part of his repertoire.

I asked O'Day the standard spring training question this morning about being "where you want to be" with opening day less than three full weeks away.

"Yes," he replied. "I want to be here in Florida because it's nice and warm."

After fulfilling my role as straight man, I listened to O'Day delve a little deeper into the subject.

"Camp's going well," he continued. "Spring training's a time to work on things that you wouldn't necessarily do during the season. Even though I've been around for a while, I'm still trying to get better, so working on little things. Pitching different sequences, pitching different spots, places I didn't throw as much last year. Working on some things and feeling good. That's what's most important."

Which takes me back to wondering why O'Day would bother with it.

"You face guys eight-10 times in a season, three days in a row, you need to have multiple ways to get them out," he said, his wit and intelligence on full display this morning. "You can always get better. Even if we had some success last year, just working on refining that and being a little better."

O'Day has allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings over his five spring appearances. He's walked two batters and struck out five.

O'Day surrendered a run in the eighth inning last night in the Orioles' 4-1 victory over the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium.

"I felt good," he said. "I made some great pitches to get ahead in the count and didn't put guys away, so that's what is most frustrating to me about last night was getting ahead in counts, 0-2, 1-2, and not striking a guy out or inducing weak contact."

Twins utility infielder Buck Britton, older brother of Orioles closer Zach Britton, has collected two hits off O'Day this spring - half of his Grapefruit League total in 17 at-bats. The former Orioles farmhand doubled on March 12, when O'Day left the bases loaded, and delivered an RBI single last night with two outs and the Twins on the verge of being shut out.

"Geez, he's like Babe Ruth out there," O'Day said, shaking his head. "I don't know. He's had two good at-bats against me. Last night, I threw him a terrible pitch, but yeah, we have fun with it. I don't like giving up hits and obviously don't like giving up runs, so I wasn't too happy about it at the time, but he's a good dude. And obviously, I'm friends with his brother."

Obviously, I also found that line amusing.

The terrible pitch?

"It was a high changeup," O'Day said. "It wasn't good."

It wasn't going unnoticed by Zach Britton. O'Day knew what was coming - sort of like Buck Britton does when he's at the plate.

"I'm sure we'll talk about it today," O'Day said. "We'll review the at-bat."

Zach Britton tried to offer comfort, in his own way.

"I think he's batting 1.000 off me, too, so I told Darren there's not a lot to worry about," Britton said. "It's good for him. And I think Darren's not going to hear the end of that one from Buck.

"I don't think there's going to be a 3-for-3. I think there'll be an HBP the next time. Not going to say it's intentional, but it just might be."

We almost had a Britton vs. Britton moment in the previous game.

"I didn't see the (single) yesterday. I saw the double," Zach said. "I thought it was funny because I brought it up to Darren. I was like, 'Maybe I'll get to face him.' Then I saw when I ended the inning that he was coming up second and I knew Darren was going to get him. And then I saw him get the double and Darren was like, 'OK, OK.'

"I thought it was even funnier last night. And then Darren tried to pick him off, too, so I knew he was mad."

Note: Steve Melewski will be in Tampa tonight to provide updates on the game. I'll be in Port Charlotte for Saturday's game against the Rays.