SARASOTA, Florida-What’s happening?—Albert Suárez will make his fifth appearance of the spring on Thursday night when the Orioles play the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers.
Suárez, a 34-year-old right-hander who is trying to make the team as a non-roster player, has a 6.25 earned-run average. He’s allowed six runs on 13 hits in 11 1/3 innings, striking out 16 and walking one.
The game will be broadcast on MASN.
Cooper Criswell will start for Boston.
The Orioles optioned left-hander Nick Vespi to minor league camp on Wednesday. The Orioles have 45 players remaining on their spring training roster.
Outfielder Austin Hays, who’s been out because of illness, said he’s planning to return on Friday. He last played on March 14th.
What’s happened? Anthony Santander hit a three-run home run, and Gunnar Henderson and Ryan O’Hearn hit their first homers of the spring as the Orioles defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 13-4, before a sellout crowd of 7,932 at Ed Smith Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Orioles sent 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs in the first. O’Hearn homered, and Jorge Mateo had an RBI single against Taijuan Walker.
Santander was 2-for-3 and has a .171 spring average with four home runs and nine RBIs.
“He’s worked on a lot of things this camp, so I’m not worried about the results,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “It’s more about being comfortable in the box, and he looked like he was comfortable tonight. I think he’s ready. A lot our guys are ready. He’s one of them.”
“I feel good. I feel healthy. I feel like the body’s getting back together,” Santander said.
Santander, 29, likes being a part of a young, energetic team.
“It’s contagious,” he said. “Those guys have unbelievable athleticism, unbelievable talent. I saw them play in the field, and any of those guys can help you win a lot of games. They give me a lot of energy because they’re right behind. They want to take [your] job. We always know this is a competition, and we understand the talent they’ve got. We try to have the same energy level and athleticism.”
Santander is eager to play in the March 28th opener.
“I was excited since I got here,” Santander said. “We’ve got a couple more games. We’d like to stay healthy with full energy and ready to compete.”
Dean Kremer allowed a run on three hits in 3 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out five. In 16 innings this spring, he’s allowed seven runs on 15 hits, and his ERA is 3.94.
“Early on, I think he was feeling for it,” Hyde said. “I think it’s ticked up every time. I thought his stuff was good tonight. I thought he was just off the plate a little bit early, and then he got better … Made pitches when he had to. I thought his stuff was the best it’s been tonight.”
“I feel good. I like the way things are trending currently,” Kremer said. “Not only as the body’s getting going, but as well as stuff and executing pitches to certain locations, trying out new things.”
Kremer has had a normal six weeks in Florida. Last year, he was absent for a chunk of spring training to pitch for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.
“It’s definitely been different,” Kremer said. “Not like any other year. Happy with the way spring’s been going, not only for myself, but for the whole team. It’s nice to get back into a routine.”
New Oriole closer Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the fifth.
“He’s another guy that’s gotten better every time,” Hyde said. “Tonight was his best outing. It’s trending up.”
Yennier Cano allowed two runs on two hits, walking three while retiring only two batters. Cano’s ERA is 5.79.
“He’s going to give up ground balls and sometimes they’re going to go through. Most times they’re not going to,” Hyde said. “I’m not worried about Yenny. He’s thrown the ball fine, a couple of ground balls that went through.”
Bryan Baker allowed a run on two hits in the seventh.
The Orioles scored six runs in the seventh. Mateo raised his spring average to .343 with a 3-for-3 game.
“He’s had a very good spring training, and he’s played everywhere,” said Hyde, who has used Mateo in the infield and outfield. “Jorgie adds an element to our team with the speed and versatility, and he’s swung the bat well this spring. I feel like he’s gotten a little bit better. We’re excited to have him. When he gets on base, he’s game-changing.”
Mateo and Tyler Nevin had two-run doubles in the seventh.
“Tyler’s had a great camp,” Hyde said. “He’s got a ton of at-bats. He takes good at-bats. If you look at Tyler’s Triple-A numbers, he hit really well last year. It’s a guy that can play multiple spots for you. He’s hit left-handed pitching well, and so far this camp, he’s swung the bat extremely well.”
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle played for the first time since March 12th and was hitless in three at-bats. He’d been out with neck stiffness.
What’s up with?—Mike Baumann has allowed just one hit in 5 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out six and walking one.
“I’m happy with the way I feel right now,” Baumann said. “Overall I’m confident with what I’m doing right now. There’s always something that I could be better at as a pitcher. There’s always some fine tuning, trying to get better, but overall I’ve been happy with what I’ve been doing on and off the field. There’s still a lot more work to be done and I’m just trying to build off each outing, each day.”
Baumann, who is out of options, looks like a favorite to make the team but hasn’t been told anything yet.
What’s what?—While Hyde professes not to be worried about his relievers, Cano and Cionel Pérez, who has an 11.12 ERA this spring, have been erratic. Baumann, Keegan Akin, Danny Coulombe and Dillon Tate have all looked sharp.
What’s the word? ”I don’t feel that old yet.”-Santander on being one of the more veteran players on the Orioles.
What’s the number? 6. The number of times the Orioles have scored 10 or more runs this spring. They’ve scored 26 in the past two games.
What’s the record? 20-5-2. The Orioles will play the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers on Thursday at 6:05 p.m.