masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgPORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Zach Stewart ran his spring scoreless streak to 5 1/3 innings today and the Orioles defeated the Rays 1-0 in Port Charlotte.
Stewart covered the last two innings, walking one batter and striking out two. He retired the side in order in the ninth, striking out Jace Conrad to end the game.
“He sinks the ball, got a little slider, strike thrower,” said manager Buck Showalter. “He’s got some history and background being a good, competitive pitcher. He’s a good depth…

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Zach Stewart ran his spring scoreless streak to 5 1/3 innings today and the Orioles defeated the Rays 1-0 in Port Charlotte.

Stewart covered the last two innings, walking one batter and striking out two. He retired the side in order in the ninth, striking out Jace Conrad to end the game.

buck-showalter-smell-baseball.jpg“He sinks the ball, got a little slider, strike thrower,” said manager Buck Showalter. “He’s got some history and background being a good, competitive pitcher. He’s a good depth piece for us. Who knows? He’s competing for a job.”

Stewart also provided the fielding gem of the day. He struck out Keon Wong to end the eighth, but the ball bounced away from catcher Chance Sisco, who couldn’t locate it. Stewart ran it down between the mound and third base and fired to first baseman Trey Mancini for the strikeout/1-3 putout.

“Sisco came in bragging about his assist,” Showalter said. “That was a pretty good play.”

Robert Andino made a diving stop and throw from second base for another defensive highlight.

“Andino’s been playing well,” Showalter said. “He’s playing really good. Early on especially, he had some really tough plays. Robert’s been playing well. That’s good to see.”

Ubaldo Jiménez worked three scoreless innings today, becoming much more efficient after the first.

“It was OK,” Showalter said. “I told Roger (McDowell), sometimes in the past, it’s been a struggle early to get a lot of our guys, including Ubaldo, their work in to get the innings and they’d end up having to go down to the bullpen and throw some more. But there’s a little different look to him than I’ve seen in past springs, so hopefully that bodes well. We’ll see.”

Showalter said Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander, who had neck stiffness, will play on Sunday.

“He’s ready to go,” Showalter said. “I could have taken him today. I gave him one more day. He’ll be available tomorrow.”