Mychal Givens on high-leverage spots, Evan Phillips on call-up

The Orioles have four pitchers with saves. But right-hander Mychal Givens, who had nine saves last year, doesn't have any yet. Givens said today he is fine with that. Getting a team win tops which pitcher might get a save chance.

"That is what everyone is here to do. Whatever is asked of me to help us win. Everything else will take care of itself," said Givens, who has a 5.79 ERA in four games.

Manager Brandon Hyde today said Givens will get his saves. But for now, he is using him in high-leverage, game-on-the-line situations. Like the eighth inning last night.

Givens came on with the bases loaded, one out and the Orioles leading 7-4. He fanned Mark Canha, getting him to chase a 95 mph fastball, and got pinch-hitter Chad Pinder to ground out. He doesn't get a save in the boxscore, but he saved the Orioles from losing another late-game lead.

What was Givens' approach in such a big spot?

"Same as always. Just had to go out there and limit the damage and get us in the dugout as quickly as possible," he said. "Hopefully, I keep working in spots like that to help us get a W at the end.

"No different (pitching before the ninth). It's just getting outs. It's great that Brandon has confidence in me to do that. The most important thing is get the win."

Givens ended last season by allowing just one hit in 44 at-bats (.023) over his last 14 1/3 innings. He has a career 1.10 ERA in 11 career games against Oakland, with 21 strikeouts over 16 1/3 innings.

He's enjoyed the club's competitive start to the season, going 5-5 with a schedule that has included seven games versus teams that won 97 or more last year, six with New York and one with Oakland.

"Whatever anyone says about what kind of team we have, we're here to fight and compete and to have fun," Givens said. "Winning games has been awesome with some great coaches and a great group we have in this clubhouse. We're playing nice and loose."

Phillips joins the bullpen: After a strong spring training and a scoreless outing to start his season at Triple-A, right-hander Evan Phillips was recalled by the Orioles today as Nate Karns went on the 10-day injured list.

In spring, the 24-year-old Phillips threw 9 2/3 scoreless innings with three walks and 10 strikeouts. Then, in his first outing this year for Norfolk, he allowed three hits but no runs in 1 2/3 innings on April 5 at Gwinnett.

Phillips was asked today if he was surprised he didn't make the opening day roster.

"I wasn't surprised at all," he said. "I wasn't worried about making the team or not making the team. I was worried about how I was pitching and how I was feeling. I felt good about both those things. Came out of spring healthy and thought I pitched great. Took that down to Triple-A. Had a good couple innings down there and hopefully carry that over to here."

Acquired by the Orioles from Atlanta last July 31, Phillips said he is a different pitcher in one way this season.

"My confidence level is higher," he said. "I came up last year and was trying to get a feel for the major leagues and I definitely learned a lot of things. Coming to spring training with refined mechanics and mentality, I felt I was much more polished."

Phillips is a native of Salisbury, Md., and last season became the 26th Maryland-born player to play for the Orioles. In March, I wrote this story about Phillips and his friendship with Pittsburgh Pirates hurler Chris Archer.