masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgUbaldo Jimenez’s first inning as an Orioles starter tonight included a hit, walk and two strikeouts.

Jimenez got a called third strike on leadoff hitter Daniel Nava before Dustin Pedroia singled into right field and David Ortiz walked. Mike Napoli popped up and Jonny Gomes struck out looking to strand two runners.

Jimenez threw 17 pitches, including 10 for strikes.

Xander Bogaerts singled off Jimenez with one out in the second, but A.J. Pierzynski flied out and Will Middlebrooks struck out…Ubaldo Jimenez’s first inning as an Orioles starter tonight included a hit, walk and two strikeouts.

Jimenez got a called third strike on leadoff hitter Daniel Nava before Dustin Pedroia singled into right field and David Ortiz walked. Mike Napoli popped up and Jonny Gomes struck out looking to strand two runners.

Jimenez threw 17 pitches, including 10 for strikes.

Xander Bogaerts singled off Jimenez with one out in the second, but A.J. Pierzynski flied out and Will Middlebrooks struck out looking. Jimenez is up to 27 pitches in two innings, 20 for strikes.

By my math, all 10 of his pitches in the second were strikes.

Nick Markakis singled to lead off the bottom of the first, but Red Sox starter John Lackey retired the next three batters.

Before the game, reporters were told that outfielder Nolan Reimold is getting ready to play in extended spring training games.

The Orioles want Reimold to play in the outfielder each day while he continues his recovery from corrective surgery over the summer to fuse two vertebrae in his neck.

Reimold was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He’s able to hit without having pain or stiffness in his neck, but he hasn’t been as comfortable looking up and chasing fly balls.

I wrote earlier that outfielder Francisco Peguero had the cast removed from his right wrist today. Peguero, also on the 15-day disabled list, has no issues with his range of motion and will begin strengthening exercises.

Update: Ortiz hit a two-run homer off Jimenez in the third to give Boston a 2-0 lead.

Pedroia singled and Ortiz cleared the out-of-town scoreboard in right. Pedroia is 2-for-2 tonight and 7-for-14 in his career against Jimenez. Ortiz was 0-for-7 lifetime before walking in the first and homering on a 91 mph fastball in the third.

Jimenez has recorded a strikeout to end each of the first three innings.

According to @EspnStatsInfo, Ortiz’s 432nd career home run breaks a tie with Cal Ripken Jr. for 45th all-time.

Update II: Nelson Cruz tied the game in the fourth with a two-run homer, putting him on pace for 162 this season. Would that be a record?

Cruz launched an 0-2 pitch with two outs over the out-of-town scoreboard.

Update III: Now it’s Napoli’s turn.

Napoli drove a 91 mph fastball over the center field fence with two outs in the fifth to give Boston a 4-2 lead.

Jimenez got ahead in the count 0-2 and left the ball over the heart of the plate. He didn’t bother to watch its flight.

Jimenez hit Nava leading off the inning.