Updating Tillman and Gausman in the B game

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman threw 30 pitches in two innings today in his spring debut against the Pirates in a B game on the Camden Yards replica field. Nineteen were strikes.

Tillman struck out two batters and stayed on the mound after recording three outs in the second. Reese McGuire singled off him, but was thrown out by left fielder Alfredo Marte trying to stretch it into a double.

Kevin Gausman worked three innings, though he recorded only two outs in the second. He gave up two doubles and walked a batter.

Gausman retired the Pirates in order in the third on nine pitches. He threw 41 pitches today, 26 for strikes.

"I pitched in the same exact thing last year, a B game against the Pirates. I guess I'm used to pitching at 10 a.m.," Gausman said, grinning.

"It's a little bit different just because it's early, but I felt good. Threw some real good breaking balls for strikes and when I wanted them to chase. Left two pitches up and those were the two I gave up doubles on. Overall, I feel good and got my work in out of the stretch."

The game had an unusual feel to it with mostly scouts and a few family members in the stands behind the backstop.

"A little bit, but I think everybody here has that competitiveness to them," Gausman said. "Once you get on a baseball field you want to win, you want to compete. You never want to pitch bad, so I don't think that has that much to do with it."

Henry Urrutia reached on an error, singled and drove in a run. Chance Sisco and Michael Almazar had RBI grounders.

The media was interviewing Gausman outside the clubhouse while the Orioles batted in the bottom of the fifth, but it appeared that Dariel Alvarez stroked a two-run single.

The stats aren't official in a B game.

Pedro Alvarez took batting practice and worked out at Ed Smith Stadium, and later moved to the half field with Ryan Flaherty and third base coach Bobby Dickerson, who also serves as infield instructor.

The Orioles haven't decided when Alvarez will play in his first game, but it most likely won't happen for a few more days. It's still under discussion.

"I said it at breakfast, I think every guy in our lineup has the potential to hit 30 home runs, and so that's pretty ridiculous if you think about it," Gausman said. "He's another lefty bat for us that can hit for power that doesn't strike out very often. It's going to be a big thing. He's going to play well in the East with all those small ballparks. I think our team is going to hit a lot of home runs. I'm looking forward to that."

Would Gausman be afraid to face this lineup? That's a strong word. Cautious is more like it.

"I wouldn't say I would be afraid, but I would definitely have to be on my game. That's for sure," Gausman said.

"They're all big guys, too. You think about it. The smallest guy we would have in the lineup would be Hardy. He's a big shortstop. He's a big guy if you think about it. I don't like when big guys get into the box. If you have nine guys getting into the box and every single one of them is big, it's very intimidating for a pitcher."