VIERA, Fla. - In a game that included two triples, a throw was perhaps the most incredible part of yesterday's 2-1 win over the Astros. Houston outfielder Alex Presley ripped a ball past the extended Danny Espinosa and into the right-center gap in the fifth inning. As right fielder Bryce Harper casually made his way to the ball, Presley headed for second. In a flash, Harper fired a bullet to the bag and Presley was tagged out by Wilmer Difo. "I came up slow on that on purpose, just to see...

SARASOTA, Fla. - He is a former top prospect that had a solid year in 2014 and now he may be playing a position where he is one of the players replacing a fan favorite in Baltimore. Nick Markakis is gone and Travis Snider, acquired in a January trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, may get some of the starts in right field this year. What can he bring to the Orioles? "Just an everyday intensity," Snider said. "I like to keep things loose and have fun in the clubhouse and play hard on the field,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The day has arrived. Matt Wieters will be behind the plate for today's Grapefruit League game against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. The opponent won't be told to treat the stolen base like a felony. The Twins can run and Wieters can fire the ball to second. Just like the good ol' days. He can't wait for his first opportunity. Dr. James Andrews set March 17 as the target date and Wieters didn't experience any setbacks that forced a change in plans. He's been building for...

VIERA, Fla. - It was just two days ago that Nationals manager Matt Williams got a scare when Gio Gonzalez fell to the ground on a ball hit hard back up the box. Some hearts probably skipped a beat in the third inning of today's 2-1 win over the Astros when Jordan Zimmermann was knocked off his feet on a ball Robbie Grossman smoked right at him. Zimmermann was able to quickly get his glove up to deflect the ball while falling backward. He popped up and located the ball, making a throw to first...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brad Brach pitched the ninth inning today for the Orioles and retired the Phillies in order with a strikeout. However, he wasn't credited with a save. Must be some obscure rule about 12-run leads. The Orioles erupted for 21 hits today in a 16-4 victory over the Phillies. Let's see if they left anything in the tank for Tuesday's game against the Twins in Sarasota. Did Showalter enjoy watching the offensive fireworks? You figure it out. "You bet your sweet (butt)," he...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles reduced their spring training roster to 45 players today by optioning pitcher Dylan Bundy to Double-A Bowie and first baseman Christian Walker to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigning pitcher Hunter Harvey to minor league camp. The announcement was made following the Orioles' 16-4 thrashing of the Phillies at Bright House Field. Bundy allowed a run and two hits in 1 1/3 innings, with two walks, a strikeout and a hit batter. He didn't look comfortable on the mound for...

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned infielder Christian Walker to Triple-A Norfolk and right-hander Dylan Bundy to Double-A Bowie. Right-hander Hunter Harvey has been reassigned to minor league camp. Left-hander Mark Hendrickson has been released. With these moves, the Orioles now have 45 players at Major League Spring Training, including nine non-roster invitees.

It would be nice to see how 2013 second-round selection Jake Johansen fares this season. The 6-foot-6 right-hander and Allen, Texas, native went 5-6 with a 5.19 ERA in 29 games last season for low Single-A Hagerstown. The 24-year-old made 18 starts with 89 strikeouts and 55 walks over 100 2/3 innings. Johansen, who is just about as big as teammate Lucas Giolito, is looking to maintain consistency from start to start with a more efficient delivery, something that eluded him at times last year....

CLEARWATER, Fla. - After going two and three innings over his first two spring starts, Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez stretched out to four innings today against the Phillies at Bright House Field. He retired the first nine Phillies in order on 34 pitches, before allowing two runs in his fourth inning. "Good. Better than last time," Gonzalez said. "I was staying tall over the rubber. Really worked on it in my side last time. It paid off, felt really good." With a 14-pitch first...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 16, Phillies 4 Recap: The bats came out of the deep freeze today, recording 21 hits. Chris Davis hit a three-run homer off Cole Hamels in the top of the first inning to give the Orioles a quick lead. Everth Cabrera walked and Steve Pearce singled before Davis came to the plate. Jimmy Paredes and Davis had RBI doubles in the second. Jayson Nix had an RBI single off Mike Nesseth in the third and Paredes belted a three-run homer. Nolan Reimold hit a two-run homer...