Baltimore Orioles lifted in Sarasota finale by Jonathan Schoop

Jonathan Schoop smacked a three-run homer as the Baltimore Orioles won their finale in Sarasota, 6-1 over Atlanta.

You’d be hard-pressed to ask for a better final spring tune-up than what Yovani Gallardo provided for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon against Atlanta. Gallardo’s line: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Atlanta wasn’t exactly fielding their A-List lineup, however the fact is that Gallardo looked very sharp in his final spring game. Gallardo was also very economical in his pitches, which in fairness was helped by virtue of the fact that Atlanta’s hitters seemed intent on getting out of Sarasota from the first pitch.

Again in fairness, the Orioles didn’t exactly appear to be giving the maximum effort either. I’m not suggesting that they weren’t trying – because anytime people are paying to see you play you’re always trying as hard as you possibly can. That’s just how it works…it’s called professionalism. However at this stage of the spring, these players are ready for the bullets to fly for real. They can’t get out of Florida and into big league ballparks fast enough.

Jonathan Schoop smacked a three-run homer in the last of the second, and the Orioles led 3-0. That lead would stand up for the Birds until the top of the eighth, when Atlanta would put one across on a sac fly-RBI. But the Birds came back in the last of the inning to take a 4-1 lead after a solo homer by Xavier Avery. Add in an RBI-double by Ryan Flaherty and an RBI-single by Matt Wieters, and the Birds ended up with a 6-1 victory at Ed Smith Stadium. 

Live Feed

Motor City Bengals

However the story du jour was Gallardo, who turned in his best performance of the spring in it’s final game. Pitching has been the topic of conversation throughout spring training; however at least on this day, it was a walk in the park. The O’s can only hope that it remains as such.

The Orioles of course informed Rule 5 pick Chris Rickard that he had made the team after last night’s game. Rickart of course will have to be on the roster for the entire season, or he’ll return to the Tampa Rays’ organization. The O’s also informed Mike Wright last night that he would be the Birds’ number four starter. Tyler Wilson was informed that he had made the team, however no number five starter has been announced to this point.

More from Orioles News

• Baltimore Orioles Sign RP Mychal Givens
• Gunnar Henderson: Destroyer of Four-Seam Fastballs
• Which Current Baltimore Orioles Pitchers Have the Best Curveballs?
• Orioles News: Should the O’s Pursue Eovaldi? + More MLB News
• Should the Baltimore Orioles Consider Signing Nathan Eovaldi?

The O’s continue to work on Hyun-Soo Kim regarding what he wants to do – accept a minor league option or force the team to make a decision. Rosters are due by noon eastern time on Sunday; is Kim trying to simply run out the clock? Obviously at some point the Orioles will have to make a decision. In my view I wouldn’t be surprised to see them release Kim and eat the $7 million. They’re already in a situation where they have to keep someone on the roster (Rickart); the last thing they can afford is having to do that same tap dance with two guys.

The Orioles will travel to Philadelphia early tomorrow morning to take on the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in the final Florida Grapefruit League game (weather permitting – the forecast for Philadelphia looks grim for this evening). Vance Worley will get the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Philadelphia’s Aaron Nola. Again weather permitting, game time is set for just after 6 PM.