Flaherty in right field, Wilson in early trouble (O's down 5-2)

The outfield isn't a new position for Ryan Flaherty, a man of many gloves. It's just not the normal territory that he roams.

Manager Buck Showalter's lineup today had Flaherty in right field against a Mariners team that includes seven left-handed hitters and a switch-hitter.

Flaherty made five starts in right field last season and has 14 starts among his 23 career appearances in the majors. It's all part of the utility gig.

"Ryan's a good outfielder," Showalter said. "I think you look at their lineup with eight left-handed hitters, but if you notice their approach a lot, it's hasn't been as pull conscious. But Ryan's played a good right field and I want to keep him in the flow.

"It also allows us to do some things later in the game that doesn't disrupt some other things, like if we want to bring Nolan off the bench. A couple situations that Ryan allows us to move him around. Sometimes, the batting order and the team that they're running out there dictates the defense you play."

Tyler Wilson is making his fifth start today, but his assignment would have changed if circumstances last night dictated it.

Wilson was on alert that he might be needed in relief, which would have given Mike Wright the start today. Wright is scheduled to open the series in Anaheim that begins Friday night.

The starter for the next game usually is sent home early, an offer that Wilson rejected last night.

"(Wilson) was in the bullpen last night in case we got an early KO," Showalter said. "Usually the guy leaves in the fifth inning. I told Tyler he didn't have to go to the bullpen, but stay in the dugout and have your spikes and if something happens early ... because all we'd have to do is push up our starters to their normal rest the next few days.

"I told Mike Wright that he'd start today if I had to use Tyler. Didn't think I'd have to, but you never know with extra innings. I said, 'Give me a look after the fifth inning and I'll let you know if you can go or whatever,' and he said, 'Well, I've never liked going home.' He said, 'I like staying here and watching the game, get feedback and whatever. I'd rather stay.' He said, 'I go home and go to bed.'

"Tyler's been a winning person all of his life."

Wilson gave up a leadoff single today to Nori Aoki, who scored with two outs on Nelson Cruz's roller up the middle. The Orioles are behind early.

Seth Smith struck out looking and Robinson Cano grounded out to Chris Davis, who bobbled the ball and settled for the out at first.

Kyle Seager reached on an error by Pedro Alvarez, who misplayed a grounder in shallow right field on the shift. Wilson retired Adam Lind on a fly ball on his 14th pitch of the inning.

Wilson probably deserved better, considering that Davis couldn't get the force at second and Cruz's single was a well-placed ground ball. He also was forced to throw more pitches after the error.

The Orioles finish up their homestand today and brace for a bizarre trip that takes them to Anaheim, Houston and Cleveland. Who comes up with this schedule?

"You'd rather stay out there (west) and get some of them knocked out instead of making three trips," Showalter said. "I'd like to say I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but there's a good chance there's not. But I'd rather not go Houston, there, there.

"It's what it is. Everybody's got a tale of woe. Nobody wants to hear it, the other 29 clubs. It's not like we're going there in a school bus."

Update: The Orioles tied the game in the second inning on Jonathan Schoop's two out single and Alvarez's double off the top of the out-of-town scoreboard in right.

Update II: Wilson retired 10 of 11 before the Mariners rallied in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead.

Ketel Marte drew a leadoff walk and scored with two outs on Seth Smith's single into left field. Joey Rickard threw out Smith going to second base, but the damage was done.

Update III: Adam Lind's three-run homer to left field in the sixth extended Seattle's lead to 5-1.

Update IV: The Orioles got one run back in the eighth after loading the bases against Joaquin Benoit. Flaherty scored on Adam Jones' grounder to short to reduce the Mariners' lead to 5-2.