Dennis Sarfate didn't allow a hit in the eighth inning, but the Twins scored a run to reduce the Orioles' lead to 3-1. Sarfate threw two wild pitches, the first as he recorded a strikeout and the ball got past catcher Caleb Joseph. He also committed a balk and issued a walk. The run scored on Drew Butera's ground ball to short. Sarfate struck out two batters. His fastball reached 94 mph.

Josh Perrault picked up the save in the Orioles' 3-1 victory, their third win in a row. Danny Valencia doubled over the head of center fielder Jeff Salazar, who froze on the ball before breaking late, but Perrault retired the last two batters. Salazar ended the game with a diving catch in right-center field to rob Juan Portes. As always, manager Dave Trembley met with reporters on the field after the game ended. "Most of the guys had command of their fastball," he said. "Hernandez was...

While I was driving back from Fort Myers, the Orioles announced that pitcher Steve Johnson has been returned to the organization by the San Francisco Giants. Johnson has been assigned to Double-A Bowie and will report to the minor league camp. The Giants selected Johnson in the Rule 5 draft in December, costing them $50,000 in the process. The Orioles pay half that amount to reclaim him. Johnson, the son of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN analyst Dave Johnson, allowed three runs and...

Cesar Izturis SS Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Miguel Tejada 3B Nolan Reimold DH Garrett Atkins 1B Ty Wigginton 2B Jonathan Tucker LF Jason Berken RHP Felix Pie remains out of the lineup with some soreness in his left shoulder. He hit off a tee and threw yesterday, and will consult today with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells. "It feels much better today," Pie said. "Maybe Saturday I'll play in a game." Mike Gonzalez said he won't pitch today. The clubhouse...

The rain is coming down hard here, but it's expected to stop before the first pitch is thrown. Just a morning shower, or so we're told. I'm savoring a rare morning at Ed Smith Stadium. We travel to Dunedin tomorrow and Clearwater on Friday and Sunday. The Orioles also play a split-squad game in Fort Myers on Saturday, but I'll cover the Sarasota game. Former Orioles farmhand Rommie Lewis accompanied the Blue Jays to Sarasota today. So did Raul Chavez and Joey Gathright. But no Adam...

Closer Mike Gonzalez threw a bullpen session this morning and expects to pitch in Friday's game in Clearwater. "A couple batters came up and I tried to let it go a little bit," he said. Gonzalez, who has been dealing with tightness in his lower back, will play light catch tomorrow. "It's just little nagging aches," he said. "I've got to get it out."

Second baseman Brian Roberts will wait another day to determine whether the epidural had a positive effect on his back, consult with Dr. Lee Riley in Baltimore and proceed from there. Not much of an update, but it's all I've got. "I'm just waiting a day or two to see what the results are," he said. "Not a whole lot different yet. "I had an epidural shot. Now it's just giving it a day or two to settle in. I'm not really doing much of anything right now." Roberts said he doesn't...

Mike Gonzalez is scheduled to throw one inning against the Phillies on Friday. Felix Pie threw and hit again today and will play in one of the intrasquad games on Saturday. "He probably could play on Friday, but because it's a night game, I'll hold him back and play him on Saturday," manager Dave Trembley said. "I'm encouraged by both Gonzalez and Pie." Trembley won't make more roster cuts before the split-squad games. Trembley said Chris Tillman, David Hernandez and Jason Berken...

Jason Berken threw 12 of his 13 pitches for strikes and escaped a two-on, no-out jam in the first inning. Jarrett Hoffpauir reached on an error by left fielder Jonathan Tucker, who couldn't hold onto a sinking liner, and Alex Gonzalez followed with a broken-bat single into center field. Jeremy Reed struck out, Randy Ruiz popped to short and Brian Dopirak grounded to second. Cesar Izturis led off the bottom of the first with a single into right field. Meanwhile, the White Sox have released...

Jason Berken allowed three runs and four hits in the third inning. He also walked a batter. Alex Gonzalez lined a single into left field with one out. Jeremy Reed grounded a single into right and Nick Markakis overran the ball, allowing Gonzalez to score and Reed to take third base. Randy Ruiz walked on four pitches and Brian Dopirak lifted a sacrifice fly. Back-to-back singles by Travis Snyder and Brad Emaus increased the lead to 3-0 and brought pitching coach Rick Kranitz to the...