ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 9, Blue Jays 7 Recap: Reliever Edgmer Escalona gave up five runs in the sixth inning to wipe out the Orioles' 2-1 lead, but Francisco Peguero's two-out, bases-loaded triple in the eighth capped a seven-run rally. Steve Johnson retired all six batters he faced, striking out two, in relief of Miguel Gonzalez, who was charged with one run in the second. Need to know: A day after Jemile Weeks doubled, walked and scored twice, Jonathan Schoop came off the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Many of the Orioles are wearing gray wristbands with Monica Barlow's initials written in black marker. A member of the club's PR staff said manager Buck Showalter, hitting coach Jim Presley, first base coach Wayne Kirby, bench coach John Russell, first baseman Chris Davis, center fielder Adam Jones, right fielder Nick Markakis, shortstop J.J. Hardy, catcher Matt Wieters, second baseman Ryan Flaherty and third baseman Manny Machado are wearing the bands. Davis gave the...

VIERA, Fla. - Jordan Zimmermann's work day is over 25 minutes after he threw his first pitch. But as manager Matt Williams likes to say, "That's a good thing." Zimmermann quickly got in his two innings of work this afternoon, allowing just an infield single to Jordan Schafer leading off the game. The Nationals right-hander got five ground balls and struck out Dan Uggla to end the second inning. He threw 20 pitches, 15 for strikes. Zimmermann worked quickly, he attacked the zone and now...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Henry Urrutia received treatment today for a sore right shoulder. He's still able to swing a bat, but the Orioles will limit his throwing until he's better. Outfielder Quintin Berry worked out on the back fields today and could play on Sunday. An MRI on his back earlier this week came back clean. "He's trying to do everything today," said manager Buck Showalter. Infielder Alexi Casilla remains shut down with a sore right hamstring. "Little by little,"...

VIERA, Fla. - Jayson Werth is the only Nationals starting position player who won't appear in one of the Nats' first two spring training games, but manager Matt Williams says that's by design. Werth typically eases his way into spring, and the Nats had planned to give the right fielder these first two games off. Werth is perfectly healthy, Williams says, and he'll be in the Nats lineup tomorrow when they host the Marlins. "He's right on schedule," Williams said. "No variation to his...

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's too early to read anything into pitching orders and lineups, but somebody had to bat leadoff today and Orioles manager Buck Showalter chose left fielder David Lough. Nick Markakis is considered the frontrunner to bat first this season, but he easily could drop down if he's back to driving the ball and considered more valuable in a run production spot. Lough, a career .278/.308/.396 hitter in parts of two major league seasons, led off in 36 games with the Royals. He...

VIERA, Fla. - It's a beautiful day for a home opener, as the Nationals kick off their home slate of spring games at Space Coast Stadium this afternoon against their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves. Jordan Zimmermann will make his first spring start for the Nats, and after sending most of their starting infield to Port St. Lucie yesterday, the Nats will have most of their starting outfield in the lineup today. Bryce Harper will start in left, and Denard Span will get the start in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has slotted left fielder David Lough atop the order for today's home exhibition opener against the Blue Jays. Nelson Cruz is batting second and serving as the designated hitter. Alex Gonzalez is playing third base and batting ninth. Today's game will air on MASN HD and WBAL Radio. For the Orioles David Lough LF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Matt Wieters C Ryan Flaherty 2B Alex Gonzalez 3B Miguel...

VIERA, Fla. - Throughout the first two weeks of camp, Nationals manager Matt Williams primarily had his players focus on the fundamentals. The Nats have spent time working on hitting the cut-off man on a throw from the outfield. They've practiced getting a good secondary lead that can allow the runner to move up on a wild pitch. They've had drills where pitchers come to a set position and hold the ball for three full seconds, trying to make a baserunner antsy and throw off his timing. Sure,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will try to make it two in a row today and we'll all try to make it through the day without shedding anymore tears. Yesterday took a lot out of us. Miguel Gonzalez gets the start for the Orioles after bullpen sessions and live batting practice didn't bring a recurrence of his back spasms. The Blue Jays will start right-hander Drew Hutchinson, in case you were considering a wager. Manager Buck Showalter kept most of his regulars back in Sarasota yesterday, but...