Jimenez goes two-plus innings in second spring start

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez got through the second inning today and came back out for the third. That's progress compared to his debut last Tuesday against the Tigers.

Take the small victories where you can find them.

Jimenez didn't retire either batter he faced in the third, but left-hander T.J. McFarland doused the Twins' rally with a double play grounder and a popup. Jimenez was charged with one run and two hits in two-plus innings, with three walks and five strikeouts.

By my unofficial count, Jimenez threw 31 of 57 pitches for strikes.

Jimenez got into immediate trouble in the first by walking leadoff hitter Jordan Schafer on four pitches and allowing an RBI double to Joe Mauer with one out. He issued two walks in the inning, but he also struck out two. He threw 28 pitches, 12 for strikes.

Jimenez fell behind four of the six batters he faced and had four three-ball counts.

A better version of Jimenez took the mound in the second. He struck out the side on 17 pitches, getting Eduardo Escobar and Eric Fryer looking.

Schafer walked again leading off the third, Torii Hunter singled and Jimenez was done.

Jimenez has allowed six earned runs (seven total) and four hits over 3 1/3 innings in his two starts, with five walks and seven strikeouts. He's still throwing too many pitches and falling behind too many hitters.

Manager Buck Showalter most likely would agree, though he'd also point out that Jimenez did a nice job of limiting the damage in the first inning and showed in the second what he's capable of doing. It just comes in quick bursts.

The Orioles are down 2-0 heading to the top of the fifth after McFarland gave up back-to-back doubles to Eduardo Nunez and Escobar in the fourth.

Jimmy Paredes singled in the first, his fourth hit in eight at-bats. Ryan Flaherty singled in the second and Travis Snider singled in the fourth.

Twins starter Ervin Santana allowed two hits and struck out three in two innings.