Wrapping up the Orioles' 7-6 win in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. - The teams combined to score seven runs over the last two innings as the Orioles beat Triple-A Norfolk 7-6 today in front of 9,181 at Harbor Park.

For the Orioles, the long exhibition season is over. They finished with four wins in their last five, going 18-12-2. They were happy that no one got hurt this afternoon and they got to spend some time showing appreciation for their top affiliate. They did so in the chill of Harbor Park, where it was 46 degrees at first pitch.

Now opening day is up next on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins.

"It's time. We need to take the wrapping paper off and let's see," manager Buck Showalter said after a spring where they played 32 games that didn't count and acquired 60 percent of their starting rotation.

That includes Andrew Cashner, who allowed two runs (one earned) and four hits today over 3 1/3 innings in his final spring tune-up. He walked two and struck out six, with his ERA at 2.70 over 12 1/3 innings, which does not count sim games. He will start the season's second game on Saturday.

"Good. He's ready to go," Showalter said of the right-hander. "He had a little trouble getting loose today. He got to 70 pitches and four ups. We were only going to take him four or five innings today. He got everything accomplished. Tough day to get loose for anyone."

The Orioles trailed 3-1 in the sixth when Jonathan Schoop blasted a two-run homer to right center to tie it. It caps a strong spring for the Orioles second baseman, who hit seven homers, including six over his past 12 games.

"Jon is ready to go," Showalter said. "He's had a good spring. Both sides of the ball. Jon is a guy that is never going to get comfortable. He is very in tune with attacking things he wants to get better at. Just about all his (stat) columns have increased each year, including the walks. I think he's got a chance to continue to grow."

The double-play combo of Schoop and Manny Machado could be poised for a big year. Before the game, a reporter asked Schoop if the O's duo could be among the best double-play combinations in the game.

"We are on the top of the list. Me and Manny believe in each other and we know we're the best. We'll show it," Schoop said.

Cashner's post-start quotes:

On his outing and spring: "I feel good. I feel like I've got four-plus pitches right now. Kind of figured some things out the other day with my slider. Feel like it will be a big pitch for me this season. Was locating sinkers both sides of the plate, trying to get a feel for the cold weather and trying to feel the baseball and all that.

"I really think I just figured it out (with my slider) in the last five days. For me, been throwing a cutter. The cutter is still pretty good, but I've finally found the balance point and release point with my slider. Right now, I've got it. Just have to keep that going moving forward."

On looking to work on anything today: "Yeah, outs. No, really just more so feeling everything out front. When I'm really good, everything is out front. Still working on throwing my slider to lefties and different stuff like that, but I'd say this is probably the best breaking ball I've had in a long time."

On his sinker: "You go to Arizona, you don't really have a chance to work on it because the balls don't really sink there. Feel like I've had a chance to work on my sinker all spring and I feel like I'm in the best place I've been in a long time."

On being ready to start the season: "Feel like I'm in a good place mentally and physically. Been working on a lot of different stuff. Excited for the challenge of Minnesota."

The Orioles' opening day roster appears set and it seems unlikely that will change between now and first pitch Thursday. They will need to trim four off their 40-man roster to purchase the contracts of Colby Rasmus, Danny Valencia, Craig Gentry and Pedro Álvarez, who are on minor league deals.

We may not find out those moves until Thursday.

"We all know what we'll do if nothing changes," Showalter added. "I'm so careful about telling guys something that is not going to come to pass. We are trying do things the right way. I think most of them know which way we are going if we don't have unforseen changes."

First pitch on Thursday is set for 3:05 p.m. at Camden Yards, when right-hander Dylan Bundy pitches for the Orioles and right-hander Jake Odorizzi for the Twins.

Final from Harbor Park: @Orioles 7, Tides 6 in front of 9,181 fans. Jonathan Schoop with a two-run homer to power the O's, who open their regular season on Thursday. Tides open up on April 6th! #Birdland pic.twitter.com/y690MJHwh4

-- Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) March 26, 2018