masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgCLEARWATER, Fla. – It may be tougher for the Phillies to trade Cole Hamels after today’s start against the Orioles, who brought the big bats to Bright House Field and built a 9-0 lead after three innings.
The Orioles totaled five runs and six hits off Hamels in two innings. Chris Davis hit a three-run homer in the first and added a run-scoring double in the second. Jimmy Paredes also doubled to score Jayson Nix, who … wait for it … doubled.
Nix, who was 3-for-16 before today, had an RBI…

CLEARWATER, Fla. – It may be tougher for the Phillies to trade Cole Hamels after today’s start against the Orioles, who brought the big bats to Bright House Field and built a 9-0 lead after three innings.

The Orioles totaled five runs and six hits off Hamels in two innings. Chris Davis hit a three-run homer in the first and added a run-scoring double in the second. Jimmy Paredes also doubled to score Jayson Nix, who … wait for it … doubled.

Nix, who was 3-for-16 before today, had an RBI single in the third off Mike Nesseth. Ryan Lavarnway doubled with one out, barely missing a home run. Manager Buck Showalter came out of the dugout to question the call.

davis-jog-vs-pirates-wide-sidebar.jpgEverth Cabrera also doubled because it’s apparently the law in Clearwater, and Paredes followed with a three-run homer to increase the lead to 9-0.

The Orioles scored 39 runs in their first 14 games. The bats have thawed today in the Florida heat.

Cabrera, Paredes and Steve Pearce have come to the plate three times in three innings. Pearce singled in the first for his ninth hit in 21 at-bats.

Paredes is 9-for-21 this spring.

Davis’ home run traveled to left field, which is a good sign. The oblique injury last season robbed Davis of his opposite-field power.

Miguel Gonzalez has been sensational today, but overshadowed by the offense. He’s retired all nine Phillies with three strikeouts. I’ve got him at 34 pitches, 24 for strikes.

All eight pitches in the third inning were strikes.

Update: Nolan Reimold hit a two-run homer in the fourth after Delmon Young drew his second walk.

Cabrera tripled leading off the fifth. Playing center field agrees with him.

Paredes followed with a sacrifice fly for his fifth RBI and Pearce hit his third home run in three games to give the Orioles a 13-2 lead.

Gonzalez retired the first 10 batters before allowing four straight singles and two runs in the fourth. He’s thrown 53 pitches, 37 for strikes, through four innings.