masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgPORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The battle for the fifth spot in the rotation won’t be decided until much later this month, with the possibility still alive that the Orioles sign another starter. In the meantime, Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. can only state his own case and try to gain the trust of the organization’s decision-makers.
Cortes allowed one run over two innings for the second time in two starts, with a home run by Tampa Bay’s Jesús Sucre tying the game 1-1. He labored in the second…

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The battle for the fifth spot in the rotation won’t be decided until much later this month, with the possibility still alive that the Orioles sign another starter. In the meantime, Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. can only state his own case and try to gain the trust of the organization’s decision-makers.

Baseballs glove.jpgCortes allowed one run over two innings for the second time in two starts, with a home run by Tampa Bay’s Jesús Sucre tying the game 1-1. He labored in the second inning with a home run, single and double, and he threw 24 of his 38 pitches.

Left-hander Joely Rodriguez replaced Cortes in the third inning.

Cortes allowed four hits, walked none and struck out three. He fanned Ryan Schimpf with his sidearm slider, clocked at 71 mph on the stadium radar gun.

C.J. Cron singled with two outs in the first. Sucre homered in the second, Daniel Robertson singled with two outs and he moved to third base on Willy Adames’ ground rule double down the right field line. Alex Presley misplayed the ball.

Denard Span struck out looking for the second time today to end the threat.

Cortes threw 11 of 14 pitches for strikes in the first inning and 15 of 24 in the second.

Jaycob Brugman made a sensational diving catch in left-center field to rob former Orioles first-round pick Brandon Snyder leading off the second inning. Brugman also singled to lead off the top of the inning and Luis Sardiñas walked, but Jake Faria retired Chance Sisco on a soft liner to first base and Engelb Vielma lined into a 6-4 double play.

Pedro Álvarez made his first start today since rejoining the Orioles and he also collected his first RBI. Presley tagged and scored on Álvarez’s fly ball to medium left field in the top of the first inning, creating a close play at the plate.

Presley led off with a walk and Joey Rickard was hit by a pitch. Both runners moved up on Anthony Santander’s grounder to the right side.

Álvarez struck out and flied out yesterday after coming off the bench, his first action since signing a minor league deal with the Orioles that guarantees $1 million if he makes the major league club. He can earn another $3 million in incentives based on plate appearances.

Orioles starters have allowed one run over two innings in five of the eight games this spring.

Update: Rodriguez retired the side in order with two strikeouts. Perci Garner also retired the side in order in the fourth to keep the score tied.

Cortes was satisfied with his outing. Here’s a sampling:

On comparing both starts: “No different. I think I spotted all my pitches. Once again, just one pitch that hurt me, but other than that I think it was similar to the other one.”

On pitch that hurt him: “It was a fastball up and in. Kind of got the bat head out and connect with the ball and it went over the wall. That’s about it.”

On whether he’s getting into routine: “Yeah. Coming into the team I didn’t know how they worked and stuff like that, but I feel pretty confident. It feels good. I’m getting more confidence while I’m on the mound and it feels good.”

On how starting impacts his plan: “Honestly, I feel normal. It’s nothing I haven’t done before. Obviously, I’m starting spring training games, so that means something. As of right now, I’m just concentrating on getting people out and showing my best stuff.”

On balancing showing what can do and making club: “It’s not a big deal for me. I’m working on things and showing results. I think for me it’s just showing what I can do. Not a lot of people think I can do it, but I have confidence in me and I think the club has confidence in me. Moving forward, I think it’ll be good.”

On whether he’s OK making club as starter or reliever: “Oh yeah, 100 percent. I’m here to help the team. I’m here to win games, whether it’s starting, whether it’s relieving. Whatever they want me to do, I’m here for it.”

Update II: Ryan Mountcastle doubled off the center field fence with two outs in the sixth inning to score Rickard and give the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Rickard doubled and took third base on Mallex Smith’s error.

Update III: Former Orioles first-round pick Brandon Snyder tripled to right field off Rule 5 pick José Mesa Jr. in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game 2-2. Mesa allowed one run and three hits in the inning, but Austin Wynns threw out Mallex trying to steal second base after a leadoff single.

Update IV: The Orioles have scored three runs off Jaime Schultz in the seventh inning to lead 5-2. Cedric Mullins doubled and later scored on DJ Stewart’s bases-loaded walk. A wild pitch plated another run and Anthony Santander added a sacrifice fly to shallow right field.

Update V: The Orioles win 5-2.