masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Josh Rupe gave up his first two earned runs of the spring in the seventh inning, and the Blue Jays took a 5-4 lead.

Former Orioles farmhand Mike McCoy drove in the go-ahead run.

Robert Andino made a dazzling play at second base, backhanding a ball in front of the bag and making an off-balance throw as his momentum carried him toward shortstop. First baseman Tyler Townsend dug the ball out of the dirt for the out.

Former Oriole Adam Loewen pinch-ran in the eighth and scored…SARASOTA, Fla. – Josh Rupe gave up his first two earned runs of the spring in the seventh inning, and the Blue Jays took a 5-4 lead.

Former Orioles farmhand Mike McCoy drove in the go-ahead run.

Robert Andino made a dazzling play at second base, backhanding a ball in front of the bag and making an off-balance throw as his momentum carried him toward shortstop. First baseman Tyler Townsend dug the ball out of the dirt for the out.

Former Oriole Adam Loewen pinch-ran in the eighth and scored one of the two runs off Pat Egan. He’s playing first base.

Derrek Lee finishes with a .227 average after going 3-for-4 with two doubles and his first RBI.

“Yeah, I’ve been starting to feel a little better the last couple days and it definitely felt good. I’m seeing the ball good,” he said.

As Lee’s been saying, he has no choice except to be ready for Friday night.

“They’re not going to back up opening day for you, so you’ve got to find a way to be ready to go April 1,” he said.

Lee was recovering from thumb surgery when he arrived in camp, then required an MRI on his sore right wrist and sore left foot.

“All’s well that ends well,” he said. “It was my first surgery. I didn’t know what to expect coming off of it, so it took a little longer. Actually, it didn’t take a little longer. I’m kind of right on schedule from what the doctor told me. I’m ready to go for opening day.”

Lee will take some swings in the indoor cage tomorrow before driving over to St. Petersburg.