Showalter rushes to Jones' defense (updated)

Showalter rushes to Jones' defense (updated)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Twins used a two-out double by Danny Valencia and a soft single to center field by Luke Hughes to take a 1-0 lead against Jeremy Guthrie. Guthrie threw 18 pitches, 13 for strikes. On consecutive plays in the first inning, Josh Bell made a nice stop on a sharp ground ball at first base and dug out a low throw from shortstop Cesar Izturis. Jake Fox just led off the top of the second inning by singling to right field after falling behind, 0-2, in the count. Felix Pie...
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Duchscherer slated to start Tuesday (updated)

Duchscherer slated to start Tuesday (updated)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Assuming that Justin Duchscherer's hip remains pain-free, the right-hander will start Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Duchscherer will work the first inning. He also could return for the second if his pitch count is down and he isn't forced to sit for a prolonged stretch while the Orioles bat. "I'm going to let Duke start the game," Showalter said. "We don't want him to sit around for a...
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Twins lineup and looking ahead

Twins lineup and looking ahead
FORT MYERS, Fla. - It's been raining in Fort Myers, and one of the locals says more precipitation is on the way. Could arrive around noon. For the Twins: Denard Span CF Tsuyoshi Nishioka 2B Danny Valencia 3B Luke Hughes DH Jeff Bailey 1B Jason Repko RF Rene Tosoni LF Steve Holm C Alexi Casilla SS Brian Duensing LHP Sean Burnett, former Oriole Jim Hoey, Chuck James, Scott Diamond and Anthony Swarzak also are slated to pitch. Besides Jeremy Guthrie and Rick VandenHurk, the Orioles brought...
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Lee won't play tomorrow

Lee won't play tomorrow
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee will stay back in camp today and hit soft tosses in the indoor cage. He doesn't expect to debut tomorrow because of "general soreness" in his right wrist area, and he won't project when he'll enter the starting lineup. "I don't want to put days on it," he said. "I probably made that mistake the first time. When it feels good enough to go out there, I'll go out there. "I haven't done anything today, so I'm not sure where it is...
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Today's lineup

Today's lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm minutes away from getting back in my car and heading to Fort Myers for today's game against the Minnesota Twins. For the Orioles: Randy Winn RF Robert Andino 2B Nolan Reimold LF Jake Fox DH Josh Bell 1B Felix Pie CF Brendan Harris 3B Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP Rick VandenHurk will follow Guthrie to the mound.
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Post-tie comments from Showalter

Post-tie comments from Showalter
The Orioles and Red Sox played to a 4-4 tie in 10 innings. If you predicted that outcome, go to the window and collect your money. Josh Bell drew a two-out walk, which is newsworthy when you consider that he walked twice and struck out 53 times in 53 games with the Orioles last season. He took a close 2-2 pitch, fouled a ball off his foot and took another pitch outside of the strike zone. Tyler Henson grounded into a force to end the game. Matt Wieters was supposed to make the trip to Fort...
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Fox isn't outfoxed

Fox isn't outfoxed
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Fox has taken this game into extra innings. Fox belted a solo home run off Red Sox reliever Matt Fox, giving him three bombs this spring. You can't sneak a fastball past this guy. When will they learn? Left-hander Chris George is pitching for the Orioles in the top of the 10th inning, and he just struck out the first batter he faced.
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Bergesen talks about today's start (updated twice)

Bergesen talks about today's start (updated twice)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brad Bergesen took the good from today's start at Ed Smith Stadium, which meant overlooking the three runs and six hits he allowed to the Red Sox. He was stretched out to three innings and 46 pitches. He got in his work. Bergesen immediately brought up the three runs he allowed in the second inning after getting the first two outs and two quick strikes on Drew Sutton, who's double started the rally. "Having two outs and an 0-2 count and then you give up a three-spot,...
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Bergesen labors vs. Red Sox

Bergesen labors vs. Red Sox
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brad Bergesen has allowed three runs and six hits in three innings against the Boston Red Sox, who kept most of their regulars in Fort Myers. Bergesen has also walked a batter and struck out two. The Red Sox did all their scoring with two outs in the second inning on Drew Sutton's double, Jose Iglesias' RBI single, a walk and Oscar Tejada's two-run triple. Bergesen gave up a leadoff single to Will Middlebrooks in the third, but got a double play with the next pitch and...
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A little pregame Showalter and Duchscherer

A little pregame Showalter and Duchscherer
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter said there's "nothing definitive" regarding first baseman Derrek Lee, who's dealing with some soreness above his right wrist. "He feels a little better than he did yesterday," Showalter said. "We'll see how he is tomorrow. We don't plan on taking him to Fort Myers tomorrow. At the very earliest Monday, but it may be later than that. It's not a big deal for me right now." Luke Scott and Josh Bell will take ground balls at first base tomorrow...
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Updates on Lee, Matusz and Duchscherer (with quotes)

Updates on Lee, Matusz and Duchscherer (with quotes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that first baseman Derrek Lee won't travel to Fort Myers tomorrow. The earliest he can debut is Monday, but nothing is certain at this point. Lee is dealing with some mild soreness above his right wrist. Brian Matusz threw a bullpen session today and is convinced that he'll be ready to start on Tuesday after having a wart removed yesterday from his left middle finger. "It felt fine," he said. "It doesn't feel irritated at all....
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Today's lineup (w/Red Sox)

Today's lineup (w/Red Sox)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Here's the Orioles' lineup for today's game against the Red Sox: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott LF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Adam Jones CF J.J. Hardy SS Matt Wieters C Joe Mahoney 1B Brad Bergesen RHP For the Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury CF Oscar Tejeda 2B Carl Crawford LF Will Middlebrooks 3B Juan Carlos Linares DH Mark Wagner C Nate Spears RF Drew Sutton 1B Jose Iglesias SS Alfredo Aceves, RHP
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Once through the rotation

Once through the rotation
SARASOTA, Fla. - We've come full circle today. Brad Bergesen is back on the mound. Bergesen started the first exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, and he'll face the Boston Red Sox this afternoon in Sarasota. I wonder if Red Sox fans will take over Ed Smith Stadium? The players have another meeting this morning, so the clubhouse is closed to the media until batting practice ends. I'll head over to the ballpark in a few hours, once everyone is on the field. Mark...
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Higher expectations: Brian Matusz or Manny Machado?

Higher expectations: Brian Matusz or Manny Machado?
Here is an interesting question to ponder and debate. Do Orioles fans have higher expectations this season for Brian Matusz or Manny Machado? Matusz will, of course, pitch in the major leagues while Machado is set to begin his first full year in the O's minors. A lot is expected from both. Each are among the biggest stars currently in this organization. Matusz showed perhaps a glimpse of his future in his final eight starts last season when he went 6-0 with an ERA of 1.57. The club went 8-0...
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Final thoughts on 6-2 win

Final thoughts on 6-2 win
LAKELAND, Fla. - Break up the Orioles! They won again today, getting home runs from Nolan Reimold and Jake Fox in a 6-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Left-hander Mike Ballard, who will be part of the minor league camp, made the trip here and pitched the last two innings. Ryan Strieby hit a solo homer with two outs in the ninth to complete the scoring. Manager Buck Showalter thinks it's unfair that Jake Arrieta is charged with an earned run after shortstop Nick Green lost Brennan...
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Sly as a Fox (updated)

Sly as a Fox (updated)
Jake Fox hit his second spring home run, a two-run shot off Tigers right-hander Alberto Alburquerque in the eighth inning. Orioles 5, Tigers 1. Fox came into the game batting .571. He was 0-for-3 before this at-bat. Robert Andino walked before Fox stepped to the plate and deposited a ball on the hill beyond the left field fence. Nolan Reimold walked and Josh Bell reached on an infield hit. Tough inning for Alburquerque. Update: It got a lot tougher. Alburquerque threw a wild pitch while...
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Reimold goes way deep (updated)

Reimold goes way deep (updated)
LAKELAND, Fla. - The Orioles were being shut out on one hit going into the top of the sixth inning, but not any more. Randy Winn singled and Brendan Harris walked to open the inning. Charlie Furbush retired the next two batters, but Nolan Reimold launched the first pitch he saw over the left field fence to give the Orioles a 3-1 lead. Reimold got all of that one. Reimold also homered in the exhibition opener against the Pirates in Bradenton. Jason Berken has replaced David Riske in the...
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Orioles trail, Arrieta speaks, Matusz heals

Orioles trail, Arrieta speaks, Matusz heals
LAKELAND, Fla. - It started to rain in the top of the fifth, but it's already clearing up as we approach the bottom half of the inning. Welcome to Florida. The Orioles still trail the Tigers 1-0 as David Riske enters the game. They have one hit - Cesar Izturis' bloop single - and back-to-back walks by Josh Bell and Nick Green in the fifth. Bell stole second with Green at the plate. Ryan Drese allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings. Towson University's Casper Wells...
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Arrieta completes two innings

Arrieta completes two innings
Jake Arrieta is charged with one run and two hits in two innings. He also walked two batters. Arrieta threw 33 pitches, 17 for strikes. The Tigers' run scored when shortstop Nick Green misplayed Brennan Boesch's pop-up for a hit with two outs in the first inning. Detroit starter Rick Porcello retired the first eight Orioles before Cesar Izturis' bloop single into left field. Randy Winn swung at the next pitch and bounced into a force. Ryan Drese has entered the game in the top of the...
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Lee won't play Saturday, Matusz has wart removed (updated)

Lee won't play Saturday, Matusz has wart removed (updated)
LAKELAND, Fla. - First baseman Derrek Lee's debut with the Orioles is being delayed because of some mild tenderness in his right wrist. Lee's thumb is fine, according to manager Buck Showalter. The wrist is a little tender, so the club will give him another day and re-evaluate him on Sunday. Lee hit soft toss today. Also, Brian Matusz had the wart removed from his left middle finger this morning in Philadelphia. Showalter estimated that Matusz could resume throwing in three or four days,...
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