masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Michael Almanzar hit a tie-breaking home run today in the top of the ninth inning, and the Orioles registered their first spring win, 3-2 over the Rays in Port Charlotte.
Mike Yastrzemski added a sacrifice fly. The Rays scored a run in the bottom of the ninth off Daniel Rodriguez.
If you had Rodriguez earning the Orioles’ first save this spring, go directly to the window and pick up your money.
Pitcher Suk-min Yoon has reached agreement on a contract with Kia, his former team…

SARASOTA, Fla. – Michael Almanzar hit a tie-breaking home run today in the top of the ninth inning, and the Orioles registered their first spring win, 3-2 over the Rays in Port Charlotte.

Mike Yastrzemski added a sacrifice fly. The Rays scored a run in the bottom of the ninth off Daniel Rodriguez.

If you had Rodriguez earning the Orioles’ first save this spring, go directly to the window and pick up your money.

Pitcher Suk-min Yoon has reached agreement on a contract with Kia, his former team for nine seasons before signing with the Orioles, according to a report in Korea.

Here’s the story. Have fun with Google translate. The first paragraph alone is good for a chuckle.

“Yoon Suk-min (29 ), rotate the Horsehead Fold the inconvenience to the challenge . Abandoned the folly of the US former team sets out on a new challenge with the KIA uniform.”

As I reported earlier, the Orioles are working on a deal that would enable Yoon to get out of his contract.

Update: The Orioles announced that they released Yoon from his contract so he could sign with the Kia Tigers. He reportedly has agreed to a four-year deal worth $8.1 million.

Bobby Bundy didn’t pitch for the Orioles in Port Charlotte, but manager Buck Showalter wanted him on a trip. Bundy has worked hard to return from multiple elbow surgeries, and today’s inclusion on the travel roster was partly a reward.

“He caught my eye last year when I was looking at some of his outings toward the end of the year,” Showalter said.

“It’s also a good way to kind of throw a bone out there for somebody who’s done it, rehabbed and whatever, but he’s deserving of being here. He was 91-94 (mph) last year. He was throwing the ball good last year.”

As for tonight’s game, the Blue Jays brought a bunch of former Orioles to Sarasota, including pitcher Preston Guilmet, infielders Jake Fox, Steve Tolleson and Danny Valencia, and outfielder Chris Dickerson.

For the Blue Jays
Ezequiel Cabrera LF
Devon Travis 2B
Dalton Pompey CF
Dayan Viciedo DH
Justin Smoak 1B
Danny Valencia 3B
Chris Dickerson RF
Maicer Izturis SS
Josh Thole C

Daniel Norris LHP