Showalter's props for Rasmus and a game update

HOUSTON - Outfielder Colby Rasmus has not gotten off to a hot hitting start for the Orioles. He has a lot of company in that regard.

He is 1-for-13 and has struck out eight times. This after he hit .281/.318/.579 in 37 games with Tampa Bay in 2017 with nine homers and 23 RBIs. He figures to see a lot of time in right field this season, but is not starting today versus the Houston lefty Dallas Keuchel.

But it's clear that Houston fans like Rasmus. He played here in 2015 and 2016 and got a real nice ovation from the Minute Maid Park crowd on opening day.

Manager Buck Showalter was asked about Rasmus today by Houston reporters. He said he admires his work ethic and saw it on display last night.

"I left here last night about 10 till 12," Showalter said. "About 11:20 he walked by my office with the hitting coach and had been in the cage for about an hour. That is what I see. People see these guys come back in the dugout and put their helmet up and they don't think success every time isn't what they're after.

"Colby, there is a lot more to him than meets the eye. There is a reason he's been wanted by clubs. Very quietly he's got eight or nine years in the big leagues. He hasn't had a great start, but Colby is going to be fine. He's a guy you can trust because he cares and works hard at it. Good teammate and everywhere he goes people like him. He's in a good place in his life right now and he's going to be a contributer here."

O's led early, now tied: The Orioles scored in the top of the first today off Dallas Keuchel to lead 1-0. Tim Beckham singled to lead off and went to third on Jonathan Schoop's single, his fifth hit of the series. Adam Jones hit a pop to short right and second baseman Jose Altuve apparently lost the ball in the sun as it fell to the grass. He did turn it into a 4-6 force at second but a run scored for the 1-0 lead.

Houston tied it in the second off Dylan Bundy with a leadoff single by Josh Reddick, who then went to third on a Marwin Gonzalez double. But Bundy did a solid job to minimize the damage and just one run scored. Jake Marisnick's one-out groundout tied the game 1-1.

Bundy has fanned four through three innings, throwing 55 pitches and Keuchel is at 54 pitches. Bundy's fastball has touched 94 mph this afternoon.

O's up 2-1: The Orioles took the lead in the fourth on a throwing error by shortstop Marwin Gonzalez. Danny Valencia, who drew a leadoff walk, scored from second for the lead.

Cobb note: O's right-hander Alex Cobb pitched in a sim game today in Sarasota. The O's report that he went five innings allowing three hits and one run. He walked two, fanned four and threw 74 pitches. He was facing minor leaguers and Mark Trumbo, who is in Florida while on the DL.

Tied again: An Anthony Santander throwing error contributed to an unearned run in the Houston sixth to tie it 2-2. It left runners on first and third with out and a Gonzalez squeeze bunt tied it. Bundy is at 98 pitches through six.