masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgDUNEDIN, Fla. – Ubaldo Jimenez had a very strong first inning followed by a shaky second inning today against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto scored three times on three hits in the second to take a 3-2 lead on the Orioles at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. The O’s had taken a 2-0 lead in the top of the second.
Jimenez, who gave up seven runs and four hits over 3 1/3 innings in his first two starts, made quick work of the Jays in the first. He retired Jose Reyes, Maicer Izturis and Russell…

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Ubaldo Jimenez had a very strong first inning followed by a shaky second inning today against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Toronto scored three times on three hits in the second to take a 3-2 lead on the Orioles at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. The O’s had taken a 2-0 lead in the top of the second.

Jimenez, who gave up seven runs and four hits over 3 1/3 innings in his first two starts, made quick work of the Jays in the first. He retired Jose Reyes, Maicer Izturis and Russell Martin on just eight pitches, getting two groundouts and a flyout.

Meanwhile, after coming up with two infield hits but no runs against Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez in the first, the Orioles took a the lead in the second.

joseph-swing-looking-up-sidebar-orange.jpgJonathan Schoop singled with one out and advanced to second on Ryan Flaherty’s groundout. Schoop scored on Caleb Joseph’s single to right. Joseph is 4-for-7 this spring. Joseph came around all the way from first when designated hitter Henry Urrutia smoked a RBI double to center. Urrutia is 4-for-12 with two doubles and three RBIs.

But Jimenez gave that lead back in home half of the second. It started when he hit Jose Bautista on the right hand when ahead 1-2 in the count. Bautista reached second on a wild pitch and scored on Daric Barton’s bloop single.

Former Orioles then helped Toronto get the lead as Danny Valecia singled and Chris Dickerson’s two-run double to right gave the Jays the 3-2 advantage.

Jimenez allowed a leadoff bunt single to Jose Reyes in the third, but then picked him off first base. Two groundouts followed as he pitched a scoreless third.

Jimenez first to go four: Jimenez went four innings today, becoming the first O’s starter to get that far this spring. He pitched another scoreless inning in the fourth, stranding a runner at third base with one out.

Jimenez today: 4 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs, 0 walks, 1 strikeout.

It was his first no-walk outing after he issued five walks over his first two appearances. He also hit a batter and threw two wild pitches.

T.J. McFarland came on the in the fifth with Toronto leading 3-2.