Wrapping up a 2-1 win

DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Orioles received key contributions today from minor league players on their travel roster, with Cedric Mullins lifting a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to break a tie and pitchers Stefan Crichton, Jimmy Yacabonis and Cody Satterwhite each tossing a scoreless inning in a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Satterwhite picked up the save, striking out his final batter, JC Cardenas, on a foul tip squeezed by catcher Chance Sisco.

Jayson Aquino, vying for the fifth starter's job, held the split-squad Blue Jays to one run over four innings.

"Good, good," said manager Buck Showalter. "They didn't have a lot of their guys, but he pitched well. It was a good look at him. He's been pitching well all spring. We're excited about his spring."

Aquino was making his first spring start after five relief appearances.

"I wanted to see him in that role," Showalter said. "It's a good look. You're looking for different things. These guys are bright. They know what's going on here and they know our fifth starter is going down, but someone's got to come back up. They know what's going on.

"His presentation's been good. There's some things we didn't really know about him that we got to find out this spring. He's got a nice feel for pitching. He's got a good hand and he's only 24 years old and he's got options. There are a lot of good things about him."

Crichton didn't wilt in the Dunedin heat or after being told a day in advance that he'd pitch one inning against the Blue Jays. He retired the side in order with a strikeout.

"Let me tell you, he's pitched well every time we've brought him over," Showalter said. "He attacks the strike zone. He's made a lot of quality fastball strikes in his outings this spring. He's really done well for himself, left a good impression. Yacabonis has, too. I'm really glad we got them through the Rule 5 draft.

"That was the whole idea with Roger (McDowell) was to let (Crichton) get in there before the ninth inning and know a day in advance that he was going to pitch. And it was good to see for us that the same guy showed up."

Crichton may have to go back to Double-A Bowie if a spot can't be cleared in Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen. And he's been so impressive this spring, with no runs or walks in seven innings, that there's a temptation to bring him north that likely will be muted.

Delayed perhaps, but not denied.

Mullins came to the plate with one out in the eight after Ryan Flaherty's triple off the center field fence, and he flied to left-center field to produce the game-winning RBI. It was a calm at-bat and exactly what Showalter expected after studying Mullins in the field this spring.

"I like more the calmness in the outfield," Showalter said. "For some reason I was watching him on the line drive that (Russell) Martin hit right at him. He's just got nice actions everywhere.

"I know Scott (Coolbaugh) has been getting on him about getting more right-handed at-bats down there because a lot of times they'll go a week or so without seeing a left-handed pitcher and he's got to stay on top of that. But I like what I've seen about his whole game. He's got a nice future."

Left-hander Donnie Hart followed Aquino to the mound and tossed a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and getting a double play. He's surrendered only one run and five hits in 10 innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts.

"The big fooler is spring and September, but I think watching him through the heat of the playoff race last year is impressive," Showalter said. "History and experience will tell you that sometimes those guys come in and are a little different guy, but he's picked up right where he left off and it's been good to see. He's making a case for himself."

Nothing goes unnoticed, including Sisco's ability to hold onto the foul tip and end the game.

"That's a good sign of soft hands," Showalter said. "We all know that Chance has got a chance to hit here, no pun intended, but the thing that's been impressive is the strides he's made throwing. The second stolen base was on the pitcher and of course Paulie (Janish) made a great tag on the other, but his throw times have improved dramatically since we started camp.

"I don't know if there's a guy here who's gotten more out of big league camp than Chance Sisco."