Showalter speaks after 15-2 loss

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Orioles scored twice in the ninth inning today, but the Tigers proved that some leads are safe for their bullpen.

Julio Borbon's RBI double scored Drew Dosch, who reached on an infield hit, and Henry Urrutia had a run-scoring single in the Orioles' 15-2 loss at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Michael Almanzar was picked off first base by catcher James McCann before Dosch reached. Not the impression you want to leave with your manager.

Showalter didn't sound concerned about Ubaldo Jimenez, who allowed six runs (five earned) in 1 1/3 innings.

"We had a lot of problems pitching today," Showalter said. "He was good early on and he kind of got out of sync a little bit somewhat.

"What did we hit, five guys today? There isn't anywhere to go but up, right? That's the good part."

The Orioles actually hit four batters. Jimenez was responsible for two, Oliver Drake one and Eddie Gamboa one. The Orioles also issued seven walks.

"I think we had 137 pitches in six innings, Wally (Dave Wallace) was telling me," Showalter said. "The good news is we've got nowhere to go but up, right?"

Jimenez struck out the first two batters and faced only four in the opening inning, but he recorded only one out in the second.

"He didn't get it back in sync," Showalter said. "Early, first outing. I'm hoping he's only going to get better as we go.

"I thought stuff-wise he was pretty good. In fact, he was probably ahead of where he was last year stuff-wise at this stage. I know what it looks like statistically and there were a lot of guys struggling with that today. We weren't very crisp."

Showalter agreed with Jimenez's assessment that most of his fastballs were close, but the veteran wasn't getting the calls.

"Oh, yeah," Showalter said. "It's first day of spring for a lot of people, but he's only going to get better. He's got, what, six or seven more starts? There's a reason why we started him first. We wanted him to get as many as outings and stuff under his belt, some of the things he's working on."

Asked whether he would prefer his starter to be more upset after an outing like today's, Showalter replied, "Oh, I think he is. He's not going to voice it. Not everybody is the same. He's got a lot of pride.

"It's very evident to me that he did a lot of work this offseason and it's probably a little frustrating for him, but he's worked at it. His stuff has been a lot crisper. I have confidence that it will play out as we go forward here."

Gamboa allowed four runs in two innings. Aaron Westlake hit a three-run homer on a 3-1 fastball.

"It was good learning," Showalter said. "He's got to decide if he's a knuckleball pitcher or not, you know? Threw a 3-1 fastball to a left-hander, didn't throw a knuckeball until about the fifth pitch. Finally threw a 2-0 knuckleball for an out against a right-handed hitter. Hopefully, we can use what happened today to kind of get through. Who are you, you know?

"I think as you go up higher levels he's going to see why he's going to have to throw the knuckleball. He had a good one today. He just ... He'll throw it, trust me.

"You've got to see that the hitters are better and 3-1, 88 mph fastballs go somewhere where you can't catch him. That's why he's becoming a knuckleball pitcher. You saw things you like about it."

Jimmy Paredes had a solid game today with a double and an outstanding diving stop and throw at third base. His defense was shaky last year and Showalter went with Ryan Flaherty at third in the playoffs.

"That was good to see," Showalter said. "Jimmy has really been working on his defense. He had a hell of a day at third base."

Logan Verrett threw two scoreless innings, though he allowed three hits and walked a batter.

Catcher Brian Ward was the only player who didn't get in the game.

"I hate bringing kids over her and not getting an at-bat," Showalter said. "And 15-0 and we didn't use a pitcher who wasn't scheduled to pitch. That's pretty impressive.

"That was ugly. We haven't had one like that in a while."