I already used the "fifth pitch" joke, so I won't go there again. The Twins jumped all over Kevin Millwood in the second, beginning with Michael Cuddyer's leadoff homer and continuing with back-to-back singles by Jason Kubel and Delmon Young, a one-out triple from No. 9 hitter Nick Punto and a scorching liner by Denard Span that would have carried Robert Andino's glove to the outfield if he had gotten his left hand in front of it. Twins 5, Orioles 0. Orlando Hudson followed Span's...

Kevin Millwood left the game with two outs in the third after J.J. Hardy singled on the right-hander's 60th pitch, and his 35th strike. Wilfrido Perez stranded the runner after walking Nick Punto, so that ERA's coming down. It's settled at 29.70 through two starts. Millwood was charged with five runs and nine hits. He walked one and struck out two. We'll head downstairs to talk to Millwood after he's done running in the outfield.

Kevin Millwood broke the news to Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz after tonight's start. Just a little heads-up, in case Kranitz was wondering. The numbers aren't going to be pretty. Look past them. Kranitz didn't need the warning. This isn't his first rodeo. "I stink in spring training. I'm not a good spring training pitcher," Millwood said after allowing five runs in 2 2/3 innings. "I don't try to win any awards in spring training. I try to get myself ready, and so far it's...

Juan Portes hit a two-run homer off David Hernandez in the eighth inning to increase Minnesota's lead to 8-3, and the sky opened up as manager Dave Trembley left the dugout. It's an absolute downpour. Chris George is swimming to the mound. The Orioles scored twice in the top of the eighth on singles by Justin Turner, Miguel Abreu and Jonathan Tucker, and a double-play grounder from Rhyne Hughes. Give Tucker an RBI. Don't give one to Hughes. Abreu is playing right field. We've also seen...

The game ended with two outs in the eighth inning and the Twins ahead, 8-3. Next up: The sprint to the car. I'll leave you with some final words from manager Dave Trembley. "We got Millwood's pitch count up, but he's not where he's going to be when the season starts. He's making progress, but we've got to do better," Trembley said. "Koji was a bright spot. He threw the ball very well. Every time out he's thrown the ball well - down, life, finish on his pitches. Markakis swung the...

It's been pouring for most of the night and morning, and it's difficult to imagine this game being played later today. I'm not saying it won't happen. Nothing is official. But the forecast is bleak and the field already is drenched. I'll venture inside the clubhouse in about 15 minutes to grab the lineup and check on second baseman Brian Roberts. And I'll let you know if they bang this one - as they say in the sportswriting business. Jeremy Guthrie is scheduled to start today,...

Adam Jones CF Cesar Izturis SS Matt Wieters C Miguel Tejada 3B Ty Wigginton 2B Michael Aubrey 1B Lou Montanez LF Scott Moore DH Jeff Salazar RF Jeremy Guthrie RHP

It's still raining, and I hear thunder rumbling in the distance. The Marlins are heading here from Jupiter, but they might be turning around and going back. Meanwhile, third base at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers has been turned into a child's wading pool. Here's the Marlins lineup: Chris Coghlan LF Emilio Bonifacio CF Hanley Ramirez SS Jorge Cantu 3B Dan Uggla 2B Cody Ross DH Gaby Sanchez 1B Brett Carroll RF Brett Hayes C Andrew Miller LHP Brian Roberts emerged from the trainers room...

The Orioles-Marlins game at Ed Smith Stadium has been cancelled due to rain. They don't make up exhibition games, so we're not using the term "postponed." We'll pretend it never appeared on the schedule. Fans can exchange their tickets for any remaining game at the stadium, subject to availability, or obtain a refund. You can get a refund by sending the original tickets via certified mail to: Baltimore Orioles March 12 spring training rainout Ed Smith Stadium 2700 12th St. Sarasota,...

Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens examined Brian Roberts this morning and prescribed more anti-inflammatory medication. The club will wait a few days to see how his back and stomach respond to it. The Orioles will play a seven-inning B-squad game against the Marlins tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Mark Hendrickson will start, followed by Mike Gonzalez, Dennis Sarfate, Kam Mickolio, Mike Hinckley and Chris George. Sean West will start for the Marlins. Nolan Reimold will serve as the...