Final thoughts on 8-2 victory

SARASOTA, Fla. - Both teams pounded out 14 hits today, but the Orioles made more of them count. Manager Buck Showalter met with reporters on the field after an 8-2 victory over the Pirates that improved their spring record to 8-7-2. Showalter didn't have any updates on Justin Duchscherer or Brian Roberts. Koji Uehara threw a bullpen session today, will take tomorrow off and will throw on the side again Wednesday. He could pitch in a game by the end of the week. Asked about Jake Arrieta's performance, Showalter said, "Jake kept us in the ballgame. He was up with a few pitches. He was OK. I've seen him a lot better, as you all have, too. We'll take him to five (innings) next time and see what happens." Apparently, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen didn't appreciate the way Matt Wieters blocked the plate, coming a few steps up the third base line, in a spring training game. That's the word from the visiting clubhouse. "I think Matty's one of the best taggers at the plate that I've ever had," Showalter said. Nick Markakis went 3-for-3 to increase his average to .375. Luke Scott went 0-for-3 and is batting .042. Jason Berken threw a scoreless inning to lower his ERA to 4.50. Jeremy Accardo still hasn't given up a run, but he allowed three hits and walked a batter in two innings and needed the defense to bail him out. Josh Bell hit his second triple of the spring, which led to a question about whether he could have legged out a three-bagger last year before dropping weight over the winter. "He might have made it," Showalter said, "but he would have been breathing a lot harder."