masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgLAKELAND, Fla. – The Orioles didn’t win their first exhibition game last spring until March 12 against the Twins. They had 10 losses and two ties.
The Grapefruit League isn’t putting the same squeeze on them in 2017.
Stefan Crichton struck out Mike Gerber to strand a runner on second base today in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Orioles won their opener 2-0 over the Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
The Tigers managed only five baserunners, and seven Orioles pitchers…

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Orioles didn’t win their first exhibition game last spring until March 12 against the Twins. They had 10 losses and two ties.

The Grapefruit League isn’t putting the same squeeze on them in 2017.

Stefan Crichton struck out Mike Gerber to strand a runner on second base today in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Orioles won their opener 2-0 over the Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The Tigers managed only five baserunners, and seven Orioles pitchers combined to walk only one batter. The free pass came from Logan Verrett against Alex Avila in the fifth.

Starter Tyler Wilson retired all six batters he faced. Jayson Aquino (two innings), Verrett (one), Richard Rodríguez (one), Donnie Hart (one), Oliver Drake (one) and Crichton also held down the Tigers.

Showalter-Pensive-Dugout-Tampa-Sidebar.jpg“All of them threw the ball well,” said manager Buck Showalter. “I’m really happy with the pitching right now. A lot of strikes.

“A good defensive game. I was happy with that. Chris (Dickerson) made a couple plays in right field that not many guys make.”

Erick Salcedo, playing shortstop in the ninth, made an excellent backhanded stop and throw to record an out, and he also played the next ball cleanly. The native of Venezuela spent last season at Single-A Frederick.

“Salcedo, pretty impressive,” Showalter said. “It was a big day for him. I wanted to run him out there. (Omar) Vizquel has been helping him in the offseason. Omar got a kick out of some plays he made. It was good to see.”

Johnny Giavotella went 3-for-3 in five innings.

“A couple hard-hit balls and a swinging bunt,” Showalter said. “He’s got a pretty good track record wherever he’s been. It shows already. He’s had some good at-bats already in intrasquad games and here.”

Wilson threw six pitches in the first inning, five for strikes, and 21 over two innings.

“Tyler’s a reliable pitcher,” Showalter said. “He’s a guy who’s always ready. He’s in great shape. He’s always aggressive. Those strikes. He’s a guy you’re always reaching back for because he’s just reliable. He’s a guy you know what you’re going to get from him.”

The Orioles hit the road again on Saturday with a 1:05 p.m. game against the Pirates in Bradenton.

Still no official word on left-hander T.J. McFarland, who was designated for assignment over the weekend to create a spot for left-hander Vidal Nuño on the 40-man roster. He was placed on waivers and the outcome should be known no later than Saturday.

McFarland can refuse an outright assignment.

“So far so good,” Showalter said. “We’ll see where it takes us. Can’t talk about it.”