Bergesen talks about today's start (updated twice)

Bergesen talks about today's start (updated twice)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brad Bergesen took the good from today's start at Ed Smith Stadium, which meant overlooking the three runs and six hits he allowed to the Red Sox. He was stretched out to three innings and 46 pitches. He got in his work. Bergesen immediately brought up the three runs he allowed in the second inning after getting the first two outs and two quick strikes on Drew Sutton, who's double started the rally. "Having two outs and an 0-2 count and then you give up a three-spot,...
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Bergesen labors vs. Red Sox

Bergesen labors vs. Red Sox
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brad Bergesen has allowed three runs and six hits in three innings against the Boston Red Sox, who kept most of their regulars in Fort Myers. Bergesen has also walked a batter and struck out two. The Red Sox did all their scoring with two outs in the second inning on Drew Sutton's double, Jose Iglesias' RBI single, a walk and Oscar Tejada's two-run triple. Bergesen gave up a leadoff single to Will Middlebrooks in the third, but got a double play with the next pitch and...
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A little pregame Showalter and Duchscherer

A little pregame Showalter and Duchscherer
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter said there's "nothing definitive" regarding first baseman Derrek Lee, who's dealing with some soreness above his right wrist. "He feels a little better than he did yesterday," Showalter said. "We'll see how he is tomorrow. We don't plan on taking him to Fort Myers tomorrow. At the very earliest Monday, but it may be later than that. It's not a big deal for me right now." Luke Scott and Josh Bell will take ground balls at first base tomorrow...
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Updates on Lee, Matusz and Duchscherer (with quotes)

Updates on Lee, Matusz and Duchscherer (with quotes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that first baseman Derrek Lee won't travel to Fort Myers tomorrow. The earliest he can debut is Monday, but nothing is certain at this point. Lee is dealing with some mild soreness above his right wrist. Brian Matusz threw a bullpen session today and is convinced that he'll be ready to start on Tuesday after having a wart removed yesterday from his left middle finger. "It felt fine," he said. "It doesn't feel irritated at all....
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Today's lineup (w/Red Sox)

Today's lineup (w/Red Sox)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Here's the Orioles' lineup for today's game against the Red Sox: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott LF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Adam Jones CF J.J. Hardy SS Matt Wieters C Joe Mahoney 1B Brad Bergesen RHP For the Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury CF Oscar Tejeda 2B Carl Crawford LF Will Middlebrooks 3B Juan Carlos Linares DH Mark Wagner C Nate Spears RF Drew Sutton 1B Jose Iglesias SS Alfredo Aceves, RHP
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Once through the rotation

Once through the rotation
SARASOTA, Fla. - We've come full circle today. Brad Bergesen is back on the mound. Bergesen started the first exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, and he'll face the Boston Red Sox this afternoon in Sarasota. I wonder if Red Sox fans will take over Ed Smith Stadium? The players have another meeting this morning, so the clubhouse is closed to the media until batting practice ends. I'll head over to the ballpark in a few hours, once everyone is on the field. Mark...
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Final thoughts on 6-2 win

Final thoughts on 6-2 win
LAKELAND, Fla. - Break up the Orioles! They won again today, getting home runs from Nolan Reimold and Jake Fox in a 6-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Left-hander Mike Ballard, who will be part of the minor league camp, made the trip here and pitched the last two innings. Ryan Strieby hit a solo homer with two outs in the ninth to complete the scoring. Manager Buck Showalter thinks it's unfair that Jake Arrieta is charged with an earned run after shortstop Nick Green lost Brennan...
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Sly as a Fox (updated)

Sly as a Fox (updated)
Jake Fox hit his second spring home run, a two-run shot off Tigers right-hander Alberto Alburquerque in the eighth inning. Orioles 5, Tigers 1. Fox came into the game batting .571. He was 0-for-3 before this at-bat. Robert Andino walked before Fox stepped to the plate and deposited a ball on the hill beyond the left field fence. Nolan Reimold walked and Josh Bell reached on an infield hit. Tough inning for Alburquerque. Update: It got a lot tougher. Alburquerque threw a wild pitch while...
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Reimold goes way deep (updated)

Reimold goes way deep (updated)
LAKELAND, Fla. - The Orioles were being shut out on one hit going into the top of the sixth inning, but not any more. Randy Winn singled and Brendan Harris walked to open the inning. Charlie Furbush retired the next two batters, but Nolan Reimold launched the first pitch he saw over the left field fence to give the Orioles a 3-1 lead. Reimold got all of that one. Reimold also homered in the exhibition opener against the Pirates in Bradenton. Jason Berken has replaced David Riske in the...
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Orioles trail, Arrieta speaks, Matusz heals

Orioles trail, Arrieta speaks, Matusz heals
LAKELAND, Fla. - It started to rain in the top of the fifth, but it's already clearing up as we approach the bottom half of the inning. Welcome to Florida. The Orioles still trail the Tigers 1-0 as David Riske enters the game. They have one hit - Cesar Izturis' bloop single - and back-to-back walks by Josh Bell and Nick Green in the fifth. Bell stole second with Green at the plate. Ryan Drese allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings. Towson University's Casper Wells...
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Arrieta completes two innings

Arrieta completes two innings
Jake Arrieta is charged with one run and two hits in two innings. He also walked two batters. Arrieta threw 33 pitches, 17 for strikes. The Tigers' run scored when shortstop Nick Green misplayed Brennan Boesch's pop-up for a hit with two outs in the first inning. Detroit starter Rick Porcello retired the first eight Orioles before Cesar Izturis' bloop single into left field. Randy Winn swung at the next pitch and bounced into a force. Ryan Drese has entered the game in the top of the...
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Lee won't play Saturday, Matusz has wart removed (updated)

Lee won't play Saturday, Matusz has wart removed (updated)
LAKELAND, Fla. - First baseman Derrek Lee's debut with the Orioles is being delayed because of some mild tenderness in his right wrist. Lee's thumb is fine, according to manager Buck Showalter. The wrist is a little tender, so the club will give him another day and re-evaluate him on Sunday. Lee hit soft toss today. Also, Brian Matusz had the wart removed from his left middle finger this morning in Philadelphia. Showalter estimated that Matusz could resume throwing in three or four days,...
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Duchscherer update and Tigers lineup

Duchscherer update and Tigers lineup
LAKELAND, Fla. - Justin Duchscherer arrived at the Ed Smith Stadium complex as I was heading to my car for the drive to Lakeland. Duchscherer said he's having a "light day" today. Sounds like he might play catch and receive more treatment on his left hip. Duchscherer hopes to throw live batting practice tomorrow. He threw off the half mound and regular mound yesterday. Assuming he makes it through the session without any glitches, he could appear in his first game early next week....
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Today's lineup

Today's lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - I've got the Garmin warmed up and I'm ready for the long drive to Lakeland for today's game against the Tigers. Here's the Orioles' lineup: Randy Winn CF Brendan Harris 1B Felix Pie RF Jake Fox DH Nolan Reimold LF Josh Bell 3B Nick Green SS Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis 2B Jake Arrieta RHP Ryan Drese, Jason Berken and David Riske also are slated to pitch today. Rick Porcello is starting for the Tigers. Left-handers Brad Thomas, Charlie Furbush and Fu-te Ni also are...
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Matusz says finger is "not a huge issue"

Matusz says finger is "not a huge issue"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz says he developed a wart on his middle finger "a couple months ago" and thought it might be a blister. He's never had one before and alerted head athletic trainer Richie Bancells after reporting to camp with the other pitchers. "It's not bothering me," Matusz said. "It doesn't affect me at all. It's on the side of my middle finger. The only time it actually comes into play is when I throw my curveball and it touches the seam. It...
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Showalter talks after 2-0 loss (w/note)

Showalter talks after 2-0 loss (w/note)
SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm still trying to catch my breath after this newsy day, which included significant health updates on Justin Duchscherer, Koji Uehara, Derrek Lee and Brian Matusz. No Mitch Atkins update? What the heck? Matusz will fly to Philadelphia early tomorrow morning to have a wart removed from his left middle finger. Manager Buck Showalter pointed to the exact location while trying not to flip us off. "Plans are for him to fly back tomorrow night," Showalter said. "There is...
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Matusz leaving team for procedure

Matusz leaving team for procedure
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz is flying to Philadelphia at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning to have a wart removed from the middle finger on his pitching hand. He's expected back in Sarasota later that night. Is that enough health news for one day? Manager Buck Showalter told reporters about Matusz's procedure following a 2-0 loss to the Twins. The wart is located on the side of his finger near the nail. He feels it while trying to throw his breaking ball. Matusz tossed two scoreless innings...
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Matusz talks about his outing (updated twice)

Matusz talks about his outing (updated twice)
SARASOTA, Fla. - We're still scoreless through six innings. Josh Bell doubled off the fence in right-center field leading off the bottom of the sixth, but he never made it past second base. Left fielder Jason Repko made a lunging catch to rob Nick Markakis and hold Bell at second. The wind knocked down Bell's ball. It looked like a home run when it left his bat. Rule 5 pick Adrian Rosario threw a scoreless fifth. Bell started a dazzling 3-6-1 double play. Josh Rupe gave up a leadoff...
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Matusz tosses two scoreless (updated)

Matusz tosses two scoreless (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz didn't allow a hit in two scoreless innings today against the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. Matusz walked one and struck out two. He went to a full count with Denard Span leading off the first inning and Jason Repko leading off the second, but he retired both batters. Matusz threw 35 pitches, 20 for strikes. His fastball topped out at 91 mph. Josh Bell, starting at first base, caught Repko's pop up. The Orioles are hacking against Twins...
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Uehara speaks (through his interpreter)

Uehara speaks (through his interpreter)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't concerned about Koji Uehara, and neither is their reliever. Uehara received a cortisone injection in his right elbow today because of some soreness. He'll be shut down for several days. Uehara thinks he'll be ready to pitch again in a week. "It's not even serious. I'm not concerned about it," he said through interpreter Jiwon Bang. "I'm just being on the safe side. I'm not really worried." Uehara described his condition as "arm fatigue." I...
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