Jimenez records only four outs in spring debut

LAKELAND, Fla. - Ubaldo Jimenez lasted only 1 1/3 innings today for the Orioles and was charged with six runs (five earned), the last three scoring on Ian Kinsler's home run off left-hander Chris Jones. The Tigers lead 7-0 in the bottom of the third.

Jimenez allowed three hits, walked two, struck out two, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch. The strikeouts came against the first two batters he faced.

I've got Jimenez with 42 pitches, 21 in each inning, and 27 for strikes. The Tigers' official scorer announced that Jimenez threw 37 pitches, but I doubt that I added five by mistake.

Jimenez fanned Rajai Davis on nine pitches and Avila on three before walking Ian Kinsler on five pitches. He opened the second by hitting Nick Castellanos on the hand - the Tigers' third baseman left the game after the inning - and walking Tyler Collins. Jordan Lennerton followed with an RBI single and Andrew Romine reached on Jimenez's throwing error to load the bases.

Collins scored on a wild pitch to give Detroit a 2-0 lead, and Davis delivered a two-run single after Anthony Gose flied out.

Avila was hit by a pitch and manager Buck Showalter brought in Jones, whose first pitch cleared the fence in left-center field.

Jimenez's fastball was 89-92 mph hours today. He struck out Davis on an 82 mph slider with the count full.

Everth Cabrera, batting leadoff today, dumped a single into left-center field and was thrown out trying to steal second base.

Jonathan Schoop struck out and Avila cut down Cabrera. Nolan Reimold flied to left field to end the inning.

Jimmy Paredes doubled off the left field fence with two outs in the second inning and took third on a wild pitch. J.P. Arencibia flied to the fence to end the rally.

Showalter watched infielder Paul Janish take ground balls for the first time this morning in Sarasota.

"You can see why," Showalter said, referring to Janish's reputation for being a plus-defender, especially at shortstop.

"He didn't seem to have a problem going out there at 8 o'clock, either. The problem was Bobby (Dickerson) had to get on the bus at 8:30, so we had to do it at 8 o'clock.

Janish underwent surgery before arriving in camp to remove bone chips from his right elbow. He plans on making throws this weekend and wants to get into a game by March 20 or 21.

Showalter also stayed back to watch bullpen sessions.

"We had a lot of guys throw back there today. Impressive," he said.

Jason Garcia was one of the pitchers who impressed again today, but Showalter also continued to praise the other Rule 5 right-hander, Logan Verrett, who's considered more polished because of his Triple-A experience.

"I know there's been a lot of emphasis on (Garcia), but I want to tell you, Logan Verrett is pretty impressive," Showalter said.

Brian Matusz had a work day this morning. He was bothered by a sore right (non-throwing) shoulder the past few days "from some workout he was doing," Showalter said.

Matusz is scheduled to pitch Thursday night in Sarasota.

Showalter confirmed what I've written about Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez starting the split-squad games on Thursday.

Here are videos and a picture from today.:

Jonathan Schoop signs autographs for fan.