Baltimore Orioles victimized by the long ball

The Baltimore Orioles brought a semi-competitive lineup to Lakeland yesterday, however they were done in by the long

The Baltimore Orioles brought a semi-competitive lineup to Lakeland yesterday, however they were done in by the long ball over the course of their 6-4 loss to Detroit. Chris Tillman got the start for the Birds, and with mixed results at that. Tillman’s line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Like many Orioles pitchers over the course of this spring, Tillman minimized the free passes (although he walked the lead off hitter of the game). He also racked up a decent number of strikeouts, however a couple of early runs did him in.

Make no mistake about the fact that did him in, isn’t the right terminology to use in this case given that it’s spring training.

Courtesy of Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Furthermore, the bona fide Orioles lineup wasn’t even in the game with a few exceptions. Miguel Cabrera gave Detroit an early 1-0 lead in the first with a sac fly. They would add to that lead in the third on Cabrera’s RBI-single. 

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However the O’s tied the score at two in the fourth on Delmon Young‘s two-RBI triple. They would later take a 3-2 lead on Nolan Reimold‘s sac fly. However after Tillman’s departure, Cabrera struck again with a solo homer to tie the score at three. Yoenis Cespedes would give Detroit a 4-3 lead in the seventh with a homer of his own, only to have Jayson Nix tie it in the same manner. However Victor Martinez‘s two-run homer in the last of the eighth sealed the Orioles’ fate.

Kevin Gausman gave up the fatal blast, however the Orioles did have some decent moments in this game. Delmon Young nailed a runner at home plate in the second inning, and Tillman was able to pitch out of trouble in the first in giving up only one run. At this point in the spring, pitchers are starting to look towards their final turns in the “rotation” before the bullets start to fly for real. And you can include writers in that category as well!

It would stand to reason that Showalter and company are probably starting to line up their rotation so that the opening day starter (presumed to be Tillman) has his turn come up on April 6th. Regardless, the Birds have one week plus left to play worth of spring games. Their final spring training game will be on Saturday April 4th in Orlando against Atlanta. However also keep in mind that they’ll have a split squad game on Monday.

This afternoon the Orioles return to Ed Smith Stadium for an affair against the Tampa Rays, who they’ll also see two other times before the end of Grapefruit League play. Bud Norris will make the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Everett Teaford.

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