Hearing from Showalter after 5-2 loss

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles had scored 65 runs in their last eight games before being held to two this afternoon in a 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium.

Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the ninth by striking out Munesori Kawasaki after falling behind 3-0, but Aaron Loup retired the Orioles in order in the bottom half.

Wei-Yin Chen worked five innings, throwing 62 pitches, and had enough left in the tank to continue. However, manager Buck Showalter wanted to use some of his relievers to finish the game.

"He could have gone as high as 80, 85, 90," Showalter said. "It was good. We had those other four guys who needed to throw.

"I think because of the heat, he got the equivalent of (six innings). We'll stretch him out next time."

Chen continues to use the new grip on his changeup that more closely resembles a palm ball.

"You can do a lot of things in the spring. We'll see when the lights go on and different level," Showalter said. "There's a lot of things guys feel comfortable with working on, especially when you know you're going to be on the staff.

"We felt coming out of spring last year that he was going to be able to throw it more, and he did, but not at the level that would really put him at another level."

Chen made a nice play in the first inning to field a high chopper from Kevin Pillar and get Steve Tolleson in a rundown. Garcia also flashed the leather while getting a force at the plate.

"(Chen) has always been a really good fielder," Showalter said. "I was real pleased with Garcia's play. That was good to see. Not many guys make that play.

"Our guys for the most part ... (Chris) Tillman's turned into a good one. Who's our worst fielding pitcher? You'd be picky. (Miguel) Gonzalez is real good, Tillman's good, (Bud) Norris is good. Who am I missing? (Kevin) Gausman is good, (Ubaldo) Jimenez is good. It's kind of who we have to be. We can't afford to have guys who can't hold runners or field their position, because we're not going to strike out a lot of guys."

Chen, Tillman, Gonzalez and Brian Matusz have combined for three walks in Grapefruit League games.

"Same answer. That's kind of what we have to do," Showalter said. "We have a good defensive club behind these guys and if they throw it over and keep it in the park, they'll like the results."

Nolan Reimold was hit by a pitch and reached on two infield hits to raise his on-base percentage to .459. He scored from first base on Caleb Joseph's double to left field.

"You can see the way he's moving," Showalter said. "He had a routine three-hop ball to him, and just the way he moves his feet to throw the ball back in, he wasn't doing those things. He was a little tardy backing up third on a triple to right-center, but we'll take care of that.

"The highlight might have been the rundown. It's something we came back to the other day, and if Manny (Machado) could have gotten it out of his glove, we would have had two (outs). And I'm real proud that we had two guys backing up the play the way they're supposed to be. There are a lot of situations where the ball might have rolled out in right field for at least another 90 feet, but we talk to them all the time about anticipating the angle of the throw on the overthrow."

Ryan Webb, in his second appearance since returning from a knee injury, gave up a two-run homer today and has allowed three runs and five hits in four innings.

Webb is out of minor league options.

"I think probably another outing or two, you'll see Ryan kind of build up some arm strength and get in the fight a little bit, so to speak," Showalter said. "You guys have seen him. He's a tick or two off. He'll get there."

The Orioles have three in-house candidates to replace Adam Gladstone as replay coordinator.