Orioles trying to rebound today in home opener

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter admitted yesterday that he was scrambling for ways to sound positive about his team's performance in its exhibition opener. Shovel in hand, he kept digging through the rubble of a 15-2 loss to the Tigers.

"I'm sure Jonesy and those guys will have some choice words in the morning," Showalter said, anticipating the barbs coming from Adam Jones and other veterans who stayed back at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

Henry Urrutia, who's been working out in Sarasota for most of the winter, delivered an RBI single in the ninth inning.

"You love to see that," Showalter said, happy that the outfielder was rewarded for the effort. "Henry made a nice play in right field, too."

Showalter brought Drew Dosch, 22, from minor league camp because he wanted to watch the infielder take some swings. Showalter gave instructions for Dosch to be included in the last batting practice group so he wouldn't miss it.

Dosch, batting in the ninth inning, fouled off some tough pitches before reaching on an infield hit and scoring on Julio Borbon's double to center field.

"I was trying to get the ball and it was fouled up in the stands on the next pitch," Showalter said.

"The young guys defended themselves well," Showalter added before pausing. "I'm searching. I'm really trying to find some positives here."

Dosch made it easier. He batted .314/.379/.404 with 22 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 50 RBIs in 128 games at Single-A Delmarva - the average ranked seventh in the South Atlantic League - and he's ranked 15th on Baseball America's list of Orioles prospects.

Showalter is intrigued by Dosch, who fell to the seventh round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft after tearing his ACL at Youngstown State. He was shelved until this year.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette scouted Dosch in the Cape Cod League, where he batted .333 in 2012, and loved his left-handed swing. He figures to play third base at high Single-A Frederick this summer.

"He was one of the top 10 hitting prospects in the country until he blew out his knee his junior year at Youngstown," Showalter said as Dosch took BP yesterday. "A lot of people think he was the best hitter in that league last year. He's a good-looking kid, isn't he? That's what they look like."

Showalter will start his regulars today against the Tigers in the home opener at Ed Smith Stadium. Kevin Gausman will try to complete two innings after Ubaldo Jimenez recorded only four outs yesterday in Lakeland, Fla.

The Tigers are starting Anibal Sanchez, who's given up five runs and nine hits in 10 1/3 innings in two career starts against the Orioles during the regular season.