Norris: "Physically and mechanically, I think I was going too fast" (O's lose)

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Red Sox 7, Orioles 6

Recap: Bud Norris lasted only one inning, allowing four runs and four hits, walking one, striking out two and throwing a wild pitch. He threw 30 pitches, 15 for strikes. Former Oriole Jemile Weeks had an RBI triple and Blake Swihart hit a three-run homer. The Orioles scored an unearned run in the first on Chris Davis' two-out single after Alejandro De Aza reached on an error. Adam Jones had an RBI grounder and Davis added a sacrifice fly in the sixth. Dylan Bundy allowed two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Hunter Harvey retired the side in order in the eighth. Dariel Alvarez hit a three-run homer in the ninth.

Need to know: Former Orioles farmhand Eduardo Rodriguez retired all nine Orioles he faced, striking out De Aza on a 96 mph fastball and also fanning Davis and Everth Cabrera. The Orioles traded Rodriguez to the Red Sox last summer for left-hander Andrew Miller. Lefty Wesley Wright threw two innings today and gave up a solo home run to Bryce Brentz. He worked one inning in his spring debut. Bundy's fastball was 92-94 mph. Harvey's fastball reached 96 mph. Cabrera is 0-for-7 with two walks and four strikeouts this spring. Attendance was 8,526, another at Ed Smith Stadium sellout.

On deck: Sunday, at Twins in Fort Myers, 1:05 p.m.
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SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy allowed two runs today in 1 2/3 innings. Oliver Drake replaced him in the top of the seventh and recorded the final out.

Bundy's fastball was mostly 92-94 mph.

The Orioles scored twice in the bottom of the sixth on Adam Jones' RBI grounder and Chris Davis' sacrifice fly. Davis has two RBIs today, but the Orioles trail the Red Sox 7-3 in the top of the eighth. Hunter Harvey is on the mound.

Bud Norris allowed four runs and threw 30 pitches in the first inning. He threw 10 to 15 more in the bullpen before heading to the clubhouse.

"It was good to get back out there," he said. "Haven't been out there since October, and some hitters. Probably going a hair too fast, kind of putting the training wheels back on and trying to get yourself comfortable out there. It was nice to work with Clev (Steve Clevenger) and work on a couple of things.

"Thought I threw a few changeups, but a couple of those fastballs weren't in enough on the plate. They put some good swings on it. Getting out healthy was the number one component and I'm OK with that.

"Physically and mechanically, I think I was going too fast. I'll look at the film and slow myself, but like I said, it's like getting the training wheels on and getting back out there. I'll pick up and get ready to go tomorrow."

Norris was facing a split-squad that included some unfamiliar hitters. He didn't attack them as he normally would in a regular season game.

"I didn't really have a scouting report," he said. "I'm trying to work on the things I need to work on. This is my opportunity to have six weeks to work on the pitches I need to work on, especially the changeup. You try to throw fastballs both sides of the plate. Obviously, some hitters, some younger guys I haven't seen before. If I saw them this year, I'll have to do a little more homework."

The results aren't that important for Norris, who's a lock for the rotation after winning a career-high 15 games last season.

"I've come a long way in my career to get to that point, but sitting down and talking to (Dave) Wallace and (Dom) Chiti coming into camp, there were some things that we knew we wanted to attack and really work on, so that's my opportunity to do it," Norris said. "Every time I get a chance in the game or on the back fields and get some work in, that's what I want to do is work on those last couple pitches to keep improving.

"The results weren't great today, but I'm healthy and that's what counts."

Norris was scheduled to go two innings, but a high pitch count didn't permit it.

"We wanted to get to 40 (pitches)," he said. "I think I threw another 10 to 15 down in the bullpen to get to my count. They didn't want to run me back out there and I'm OK with that.

"It doesn't look great, but like I said, I got my work in for today and I've got some time before we get this thing going.