SARASOTA-What’s happening? Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo left Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers after he tagged out Matt Vierling on a play at home plate in the top of the third inning.
Basallo left with right side abdominal discomfort and was replaced by Ethan Anderson.
“It was precautionary,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “It’s February 26th. Saw his reaction go down. He could have stayed in the game. That was me being the voice of reason getting him out of there and make sure everything is fine.”
Albernaz didn’t know if Basallo was going to have further tests.
“I have no idea. I don’t think so. Nothing I’ve heard,” Albernaz said. “That was on me, completely precautionary just to get him out of the game. It’s February 26th.”
Starting pitcher Dean Kremer said the play at the plate happened quickly.
“In talking to him after, he seems fine. He seems OK,” Kremer said. “But I’m not the medical professional here.”
What happened? Kremer threw 2 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on five hits, walking one and striking out one. He also threw two wild pitches. In his first start, Kremer threw two hitless innings and allowed two runs when he walked three.
“Right where he needs to be,” Albernaz said. “He’s getting built up. It’s February 26th. He got his innings in. He felt good coming out. That’s all you can ask for.”
Kremer, who will pitch for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, was removed after throwing 2 2/3 innings.
“I’m throwing fastballs for the most part where I want to,” Kremer said. “When I need to mix in an off-speed, I mix in an off-speed. First and foremost, I want to get my fastballs where I need them to be and move on from there.”
Unlike the other World Baseball Classic participants, Kremer isn’t leaving until March 4th. He’s decided to avoid exhibition games by Team Israel in lieu of making another start for the Orioles.
“I’ll have another start here before I go off,” Kremer said. “I feel like I’m getting close to being able to pitch in a normal game.”
Albernaz agreed with Kremer’s decision to start again.
“Whatever he needs to get ready for the WBC, I’m good with,” Albernaz said.
Tyler O’Neill, who’ll play for Team Canada, homered in the first inning in the Orioles’ 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers before 5,959 at Ed Smith Stadium on Thursday. O’Neill was 3-for-3.
Taylor Ward was 2-for-3 as the designated hitter and scored two runs. Ward’s been impressed with the Orioles’ lineup.
“Unbelievable, one through nine,” Ward said. “They’re all going to have their ups and downs. Having those guys go off, you never know who it’s going to be every night. I think we can definitely put a lot of runs up. It’s going be great.”
Ward made some swing changes in the offseason, and they’ve worked out well so far.
“Really good. Timing’s good. It was good today to go to the opposite field,” Ward said. “Happy about that. Just want to stay right there.”
Ward likes the Orioles’ depth.
“You just neve know what can happen,” Ward said. “To have the next guy come in and basically have no skip, I think it’s a great roster we have, the depth pieces we have. I think it’s a great mesh. Hopefully, everybody stays healthy, they do their thing and everything’s fine.”
Albernaz likes how the Orioles’ hitters look a week into Grapefruit League games.
“I think our potential is there for sure,” Albernaz said. “It’s the at-bat quality that really stands out. These guys are forcing the pitchers to be in the strike zone. They’re not chasing.
“That’s a testament to who they are and the work they’re putting in, especially right now in spring training this early, everyone’s erring on the side of being a little more aggressive. It’s good to see them own the strike zone.”
Coby Mayo had two hits and two RBIs. Jeremiah Jackson had two hits.
In his second appearance, Trey Gibson allowed three runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings. He threw three scoreless innings in his first outing.
Jackson Kowar, Cameron Foster and Andrew Magno threw scoreless innings.
Minor league outfielder Jordan Sanchez’s ninth-inning single won the game for the Orioles.
What’s up with Silas Ardoin? The 25-year-old catcher was the Orioles’ fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft. Last year, he reached Triple-A Norfolk, hitting .258 with a .791 OPS, four home runs and 11 RBIs in 34 games.
“I went up there and showed that I could play at that level,” Ardoin said.
Ardoin’s father, Danny, played five games for the Orioles in 2006. He played in 165 major league games for Minnesota, Texas, Colorado and the Los Angeles Dodgers as well as the Orioles.
“There’s always parts of the game I’m always trying to grow and develop,” Ardoin said. “He has a lot of great insight on that … Dad set the foundation for me, and he was always there for me. Whenever things are going good or going bad, he has something to lift me up. I’m appreciative of that.”
There are not many people who pronounce Ardoin’s name as it should be: “Ard-way.” When his father played, it was “Ar-dwan.”
“It’s definitely a tough name, and I don’t expect people to pronounce it correctly,” he said. “I don’t take it personal when they don’t get it correct.”
Ardoin replaced Anderson and had a hit in his only time at-bat.
What’s what? The Orioles are hoping Basallo’s injury isn’t serious. If he’s held out for a few games, Anderson, Ardoin, Maverick Handley, Sam Huff and Creed Willems could get more playing time.
What’s the word? “I know spring training games don’t really mean much. It seems like we’re playing well out there.”-Ward on the Orioles’ spring training.
What’s the number? .778. O’Neill is 7-for-9 and hitting .778 in the first seven games.
What’s the record? 4-2-1. Shane Baz will make his first start for the Orioles when they play the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Field in Bradenton, Florida on Friday at 1:05 p.m.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com