Dean Kremer on his outing today (O's beat Boston)

For the fourth time in five games, an Orioles starting pitcher allowed runs today. And for the second time this spring, an O's starter was pulled with two outs in the first only to return and pitch the second inning.

Lefty John Means did that Tuesday and right-hander Dean Kremer did today as the Orioles faced the Boston Red Sox.

Kremer struggled with command during the opening inning before he was lifted. Boston center fielder Jarren Duran doubled to left with one out and Kremer fanned Christian Arroyo, but he would not get out of the inning. He walked Bobby Dalbec and Yairo Muñoz to load the bases. O's shortstop Ramon Urías made a stop on César Puello's grounder up the middle but his toss to second for a force was late. It went for an infield RBI single and a 1-0 lead.

After 27 pitches, just 12 for strikes, manager Brandon Hyde called for right-hander Spenser Watkins. He issued a bases-loaded walk to Michael Gettys for a 2-0 Red Sox lead before getting out of that inning.

Kremer then went back to the Ed Smith Stadium mound and allowed a two-out solo homer to Duran for a 3-0 Boston lead. Over 1 2/3 innings, Kremer allowed three hits and three runs with two walks and one strikeout.

"There were definitely some positives and there were some negatives, just like in most cases," he said during an in-game interview. "Specifically, obviously, I wanted to throw more strikes, but just making sure I'm locked in mentally more often than not would probably be the difference-maker. Just wanted to get a feel for facing guys that are not on my team and really pound the zone.

"I'm not so much concerned about results right now. More of just getting acclimated in a game setting and competing. That is my number one goal. There is not a huge emphasis on getting out of jams, just not yet. Maybe as we move closer to the season."

Kremer is trying to lock down an O's rotation spot after going 1-1 with a 4.82 in four starts late last season.

He did today get the chance to re-enter the game just as Means did the other day.

"That was definitely a little weird," Kremer said. "That is something we're probably going to have to get used to. I don't see that there are many rules any more. But yeah, all game reps help. Anytime you get to step out on the mound versus opposing guys helps."

O's starters have an ERA of 7.56 in five spring games, allowing eight runs (seven earned) and 14 hits in 8 1/3 innings.

Down 3-0, the Orioles tied it in the last of the third. Rylan Bannon and Ryan McKenna walked with one out and Cedric Mullins doubled to center to score Bannon. That hit made Mullins 4-for-8 with two RBIs on the spring. Trey Mancini walked to load the bases, and when Anthony Santander also walked, the O's scored to pull within 3-2. Pedro Severino's sac fly tied the game.

Baltimorean Bruce Zimmermann struck out the side in the Boston third around a two-out single in his first spring outing. He then pitched a scoreless fourth and he fanned four over his two innings.

Shortstop Freddy Galvis was a late scratch from the O's lineup today and was replaced by Urías. We should get some word on why after the game from manager Brandon Hyde.

The game is tied 3-3 in the fifth. This story will be updated later.

O's beat Boston: After scoring eight runs yesterday in a win, the O's got six unanswered today to come back and beat Boston 6-3 in Sarasota in a six-inning game. They are 2-2-1 and the Red Sox are 2-3.

Urías, the late add to the lineup, hit a three-run homer in the fifth off Stephen Gonsalves to break the 3-3 tie. It scored Santander and Taylor Davis, who both walked ahead of the homer to right-center.

The Orioles scored 10 runs their first three games and 14 over the last two. They produced six runs today on just three hits - a single, double and homer.

Travis Lakins Sr. fanned two in a scoreless fifth and Eric Hanhold kept Boston off the board in the sixth with a 1-2-3 inning. O's pitchers fanned eight and walked three.