Orioles increase lead in seventh inning (O's win 9-2)

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Orioles 9, Pirates 2

Recap: Ubaldo Jimenez was superb, shutting out the Pirates on four hits over five innings. He walked none and struck out three. The Orioles broke a scoreless tie with five runs in the fourth inning. Steve Pearce hit his fifth home run of the spring. Jimmy Paredes had another hit, a double in the fourth. Ryan Flaherty singled in his first two at-bats, driving in a run in the fourth, and doubled in the sixth. Paul Janish had a two-run single in the sixth. The Pirates loaded the bases with no outs against Zach Britton and scored twice on Jaff Decker's double play and Neil Walker's infield hit. Chris Davis committed a throwing error in the inning. Caleb Joseph had a sac fly and Chris Parmelee walked with the bases loaded in the seventh. Brad Brach struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh. Wesley Wright tossed a scoreless eighth and Logan Verrett pitched a scoreless ninth.

Need to know: Jimenez has issued one walk in his last three starts over 13 innings. Britton hadn't allowed a run in seven innings. Four of the five hits off Britton today didn't leave the infield, and both runs off him were unearned. Flaherty was in the lineup because David Lough was scratched with back spasms. Delmon Young had three hits. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway threw out two runners attempting to steal in the first three innings. Davis bunted for a hit against the shift. Everth Cabrera stole his first base as an Oriole. Nolan Reimold drew his sixth walk. The Orioles grounded into three double plays in the first three innings and hit into another in the sixth.

On deck: Wednesday vs. Blue Jays in Sarasota, 1:05 p.m. on MASN
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BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh inning today on a Dariel Alvarez double, Jayson Nix walk and Delmon Young single, and Caleb Joseph lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to increase the lead to 8-2.

Nolan Reimold drew his sixth walk of the spring later in the inning to reload the bases - he's an on-base machine - and Chris Parmelee walked to force in a run and give the Orioles a 9-2 lead.

Brad Brach will work the bottom of the seventh.

The Pirates scored twice off left-hander Zach Britton in the bottom of the sixth on a leadoff double, Chris Davis' throwing error on a potential double play ball and four infield hits.

Britton still has batters beating the ball into the ground. However, shortstop Paul Janish couldn't make three plays in the inning - none of them easy, so they were ruled hits.

Britton hadn't allowed a run in his first seven spring innings.

Davis fielded Gregory Polanco's grounder and drilled Josh Harrison in the back while attempting to get the out at second base.

Janish had a two-run single in the top of the sixth after Ryan Lavarnway walked and Ryan Flaherty doubled. Flaherty was 3-for-3 today, a nice accomplishment considering he wasn't in the original lineup.

Flaherty was 6-for-28 before today.

Young also has three hits today.

Alvarez replaced Steve Pearce in the second slot in the order and doubled to left-center field in the seventh inning. He's 9-for-26 with a double, triple and two home runs this spring.

Ubaldo Jimenez was outstanding today, turning in his best outing of the spring with five scoreless innings. He allowed four hits, walked none and struck out three.

Jimenez has walked one batter in his last 13 innings. He threw 67 pitches today, 47 for strikes, by my unofficial count.

I'm rarely wrong, as you know.

Jimenez has allowed 12 runs (11 earned) and 18 hits in 16 1/3 innings, with six walks and 15 strikeouts.

The Orioles have scored 65 runs in their last eight games. Is that a lot?