Emotional Trey Mancini on big ovation (O's lose 6-4)

It was not just any single in any spring training. This one meant a lot more.

In his first at-bat since a spring game last March 2, Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini singled on a liner to center in the last of the first today. It sent Cedric Mullins, who had singled and moved to second on a wild pitch, to third base. It was preceded by a long standing ovation for Mancini and produced a very special moment during the first spring training game as the Orioles played the Pirates.

A limited number of fans were allowed in at Ed Smith Stadium, but those there cheered long and loud for Mancini. There was cheering on the field as well.

"It was amazing," Mancini told reporters during an in-game Zoom. "I almost teared up a little bit, I'm not going to lie, when I was up there. You know everybody gave me a standing ovation and I saw the guys on the field clapping and the Pirates in their dugout, our team and all our fans. It meant the world to me. A really, really cool moment and one of the favorite moments in my baseball career. I think it was a huge day for me personally getting back in a game. Just another milestone I can check off here.

"All day, just kind of been running through the last year and you know everything that me and Sara (Perlman, his girlfriend) and my family have been through. Almost a year to the day - think a couple of days off - from when I was last in a game. So definitely was a moment where I felt like it kind of came full circle a little bit. I thought more about everything that happened today than I have in a long time. I've mostly tried to, in a lot of ways, just move on and not think too much about last year. But I ran through all the tough days that we had and I really tried to appreciate and cherish today. And I definitely did that."

Mancini struck out in the third for a 1-for-2 day. He was replaced at first base by Ryan Ripken to start the top of the fourth. Mancini said now he just needs to play enough to feel ready for the season. He said the baseball part felt pretty normal for him.

"It definitely did. I felt better at the plate then I expected for the most part," he said. "For the most part, I feel like I had a good mindset up there and picked up where I left off. You know, some work to do in some places. But happy with how today went overall."

Mancini said his parents and Perlman are at today's game along with an aunt, uncle and cousins who drove down from Winter Haven, Fla.

Mancini's single in the first left runners at first and third with no outs. But the next three O's struck out as Pirates righty Chad Kuhl fanned Anthony Santander, Pedro Severino and Chris Davis to get out of the jam.

Mancini's two-run throwing error allowed Pittsburgh to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning. It began with right-hander Thomas Eshelman on the mound for the Orioles. But Pittsburgh quickly loaded the bases on a single and two walks. After a short flyout, Mancini fielded a grounder and tried to start a 3-6-3 inning-ending double play. But his throw hit the runner near second as Pittsburgh took the lead. The inning was ended after the second out was recorded.

During an in-game interview Eshelman talked about his first-inning struggles.

"It was a little bit of battling myself with mechanics," said Eshelman. "Obviously, two walks in the first and getting deep into counts is not what I do or what I want to do. So just one of those ones to kind of learn from and take it into my work. But feels good to get out there definitely with the squad. But just not the way you really want to start. I'll definitely work to get better off that."

While in the dugout, replaying his struggling outing, Eshelman watched Mancini come to bat and get his ovation.

"That was special," Eshelman said. "I was obviously caught up in what just happened with myself selfishly and then I look up and see everyone with a standing O for Trey. I immediately started clapping my hands. It's something that is super special to happen to a great human being. And I'm just excited it happened back there on the field. Something he beat. It's great to see him back in the lineup and obviously get a knock in his first at-bat."

Pittsburgh extended its lead to 4-0 in the third. Following an error by O's shortstop Freddy Galvis, Gregory Polanco hit a two-run homer to left off Eric Hanhold.

The Pirates now lead 6-1 in the sixth inning. The O's scored in the third when Severino walked and scored on an error. Ke'Bryan Hays produced an RBI double in the fourth for Pittsburgh and, an inning later, Todd Frazier homered off Isaac Mattson.

This entry will be updated after the game.

A final: The Pirates beat the Orioles 6-4 in the spring training opener in a game shortened to eight innings. The Orioles play in Clearwater against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday at 1:05 p.m. with right-hander Jorge López getting the start.

The O's pulled within 6-3 in the last of the sixth when Mason McCoy singled with two outs and Yusniel Diaz followed with what was a described as long home run to left field on Pirates radio. It was reported as the best-hit ball of the day for Diaz, acquired in the Manny Machado trade in July 2018. An inning later, the O's pulled within 6-4 as Rylan Bannon led off with a walk and later scored on an error.

Four O's pitchers produced scoreless innings. They were Fernando Abad (who allowed two hits), Marcos Diplán, Conner Greene (who fanned two) and Spenser Watkins.

The attendance was limited today, but the Orioles sold all their tickets and announced a sellout of 1,705.

The Orioles had just four hits (going 4-for-28), but drew seven walks. But the Birds went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

It was 83 degrees at first pitch in Sarasota.

These are the moments you #F16HT for.

Take it in, @TreyMancini 👏 pic.twitter.com/DmiRskAYVD

-- Baltimore Orioles 😷 (@Orioles) February 28, 2021

Back in his element.

Trey followed up the curtain call with a base knock. pic.twitter.com/huG3ZPZeoe

-- Baltimore Orioles 😷 (@Orioles) February 28, 2021