Ubaldo Jimenez allows two runs in four-plus innings

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Ubaldo Jimenez needed one more out today to become the first Orioles pitcher to go more than four innings. He faced three batters in the fifth, but he couldn't get it.

Jimenez left the game after three consecutive soft hits - a bloop single to center field by Eduardo Escobar, a bloop double to left by Josmil Pinto and an RBI infield single up the middle by Eduardo Nunez.

Jimenez threw 73 pitches, 47 for strikes and departed with the Orioles leading 3-2.

Rule 5 pick Logan Verrett didn't allow another run to score. Jordan Schafer flied to shallow center field, catcher Caleb Joseph threw out Nunez trying to steal and Joe Mauer grounded out.

His line complete, Jimenez was charged with two runs and five hits, with one walk and four strikeouts. He retired 10 of the first 11 batters before Brian Dozier walked in the third.

Torii Hunter followed with a double and Dozier scored on Eddie Rosario's liner to left.

Jimenez, who's ERA is down to 8.74, has shown gradual improvement in each start. He allowed 10 runs (nine earned) and nine hits in his first three outings covering 7 1/3 innings, with five walks and eight strikeouts.

Challenged to throw strikes since signing his four-year deal with the Orioles, Jimenez has walked one batter in his last two starts covering eight innings.

Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer in the second following Steve Clevenger's single, and Dariel Alvarez tripled and scored in the third on Everth Cabrera's ground ball to second.

Delmon Young led off the second with a single to left, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. He scorched the ball.

Third baseman Jayson Nix robbed Hunter of a hit in the second inning with a diving stop along the line.

Manager Buck Showalter said he isn't certain whether Ryan Flaherty will return to the lineup on Thursday. Flaherty said he was fine today after being drilled on the batting helmet yesterday and leaving the game in the sixth inning.

Showalter also said Paul Janish should be in a game "very shortly." Janish has been making throws across the diamond, "and that was the last thing," Showalter said.