Wrapping up a 13-5 win

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pick your favorite Orioles home run in the first inning.

Manager Buck Showalter issued the challenge to the intimate media gathering following today's 13-5 win over the Pirates, then pointed out how Trey Mancini's two-run homer was hit into the wind in left-center field and bounced on the platform tower next to the batter's eye.

A big-boy shot for sure.

Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop launched balls into the left field picnic area off Pirates starter Chad Kuhl and the Orioles later sent 11 batters to the plate in the third inning while scoring seven runs.

"We had a lot of good at-bats," Showalter said. "A lot of times we come in here and talk about an offensive-friendly spring training day. That was not, so that was good to see.

"Usually, you get a little crispness back in the air, guys kind of get their legs back under them a little bit. There were a lot of good at-bats, a lot of loud noise."

Chance Sisco made a few of them with a liner to left field and a double. He also had a quiet bases-loaded walk and is batting .389.

Sisco's offensive production dipped last summer after he moved up from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk, but he was only 22 in the International League and his .340 on-base percentage still impressed. He went 6-for-18 with two doubles and two home runs after joining the Orioles in September, but his chances of coming north with the team still hinge on whether he's trustworthy behind the plate.

"He's got the background that thinks he might be able to do it (hit) at another level," Showalter said. "If you compare his numbers in Triple-A to Double-A and Single-A, it was more of a challenge for him, but it's more about catching and throwing and putting down good fingers. The other part of it, he's got a chance to contribute offensively."

Mancini batted second today and, as Showalter said, can hit anywhere in the order.

"I like him in the second spot and the third spot and the fourth spot, the fifth spot, the first spot," Showalter said. "I mean, I like him."

The Orioles are in the process of choosing a leadoff hitter versus left-handed pitching and appear to be leaning toward lowering Tim Beckham in the order.

Beckham's play at third base has impressed Showalter.

"He's starting to really get comfortable," Showalter said. "He's starting to really get comfortable. You can already see his clock settling in."

Cedric Mullins was a late substitution in center field and made a diving catch to end the eighth inning and strand two runners for Lucas Long.

"Of course, he took two steps back and then broke in," Showalter said, smiling.

Donnie Hart loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, walking left-handed hitting Casey Hughston, but he struck out Sean Rodríguez and retired Francisco Cervelli on a ground ball.

Left-hander Josh Edgin will return Sunday or Monday after leaving the team to be with his wife for the birth of their baby.