Showalter speaks after latest sweep

Darren O'Day battled, Zach Britton breezed and the Orioles matched the best start in club history.

O'Day struck out Hank Conger today on his 33rd pitch to escape a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning and Britton retired the Rays in order to record his second save in a 5-3 win at Camden Yards.

The Orioles matched their best start at 5-0. Move over 1970 team. And try not to block the World Series trophy.

Hyun Soo Kim made his major league debut and went 2-for-3 with two infield singles. He also made every play in left field.

"Just feeling like you're contributing," said manager Buck Showalter. "We all, regardless of what's going on, it's from teammate-to-teammate and human being-to-human being, you want to see him have some success and contribute a little bit, and he did. He had some tough plays out there, being in an outfield he's never been in. I think everybody takes a lot of satisfaction in getting him out there and feeling a part of it."

Vance Worley went 4 2/3 innings in his Orioles debut and allowed three runs and seven hits, with one walk and five strikeouts. Corey Dickerson lined a home run to center field in the fourth.

Worley, on the mound for the first time since going two innings in an April 1 exhibition game in Philadelphia, came out of the game after 79 pitches.

"Pretty good," Showalter said. "We were going to take him to about 80. Sixty-five was top in spring and probably take him 15 (more). He went about as far as he could go.

"I thought he might match up decently against them with some of their tendencies and it worked out. I hate taking a guy out ... I actually gave him one more hitter than I probably should have. But he did a great job coming back after the home run."

Former Oriole Steve Pearce had an RBI single to end Worley's day after Dickerson reached on catcher's interference. Dickerson's bat smacked Matt Wieters' mitt, and he was awarded first base.

"You can look at it two ways," Showalter said. "If he doesn't tick Matt's glove, maybe he hits that ball somewhere else and Matt did us a favor. There's a positive spin on something."

The bullpen shut out the Rays over the last 4 1/3 innings.

"You know, that's a long chain out of the bullpen," Showalter said. "To get through that many outs and not give up a run is pretty remarkable. But you know, we can't continue to do that. Hopefully as the season goes on we'll be able to get deeper in games as guys get some innings and pitch counts under their belts."

The starters haven't gone deep in games, with Ubaldo Jimenez the one exception, but they've been better than advertised. And the weather ruined Chris Tillman's first outing, when he struck out five of the six batters he faced.

"They gave us a chance to win all five games," Showalter said. "If we do that, we'll have some fun this summer."

Showalter didn't confirm whether Worley would take his next turn. The rotation eventually will need to change with Kevin Gausman's return. Gausman worked two-plus innings and threw 47 pitches today at Double-A Bowie, allowing an unearned run and four hits, walking one and striking out two.

"We're not going to let anyone get too far away from what they need to do," he said.

"(Brian) Matusz is probably going to join us on Thursday, so we'll see how that affects everybody. I guess Gaus did well as far as physically. He's not too far away. There are some moving things out there we'll address if we get to them.

"(Worley) presented himself well. He's an option as a starter. I just feel good to get through the homestand and get everybody on the field and everybody on the mound and get their motor started."

The Orioles have cranked out a 5-0 start, and Showalter continues to praise the defense and fundamentals.

"We all know what Chris (Davis) can do with the ball," he said. "He's really making sure he pulls the ball and sets up Trum (Mark Trumbo) there if he makes an out. We kid around. We call them POFOs - productive outs For Orioles. It's a new analytics, Orioles-style, I guess. Things like that.

"I think about all the work Trum put in in 8:30 in the morning in right field and how he's played. He made a good play out there, too. And seeing guys get a return for the work they put in to try to get better. You put so much emphasis on defense, and you talk about passing the baton as a batting order. You also want to do your part defensively.

"I think guys like Kim and Trum, they come over, and Pedro (Alvarez) is going to have to play some first and third for us this year. They're out on the field every day getting ready for those chances to contribute."

Showalter cited another example of the Orioles doing the little things that add up. Manny Machado, who went 4-for-4 today, raced home on a wild pitch in the eighth inning and doubled back to touch home plate at Wieters' urging.

"So many team elements that you can't evaluate analytically, on-deck hitter being where he's supposed to be," Showalter said. "Those are the things you harp on, difference-makers."