Home Run Derby at “The Ed”

Sarasota, Fla. — I headed down I-75 to get a look at the Baltimore Orioles.  I have already locked in the Tampa Bay Rays as my pick to win the AL East but looking to make a top to bottom prognostication so I figured go see some other teams.

The chilly 52 degree first pitch temperature do not keep the fans away or prevent the Phillies and Orioles from playing home run derby.  With the wind clearly blowing out the Orioles won 4 homeruns to 2.  Well that was the home run score, the game score,  ouch 12-3.

The Orioles started nailing Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick in the home half of the first after one out with a second baseman Brian Roberts rope to right for a single and then first baseman Chris Davis hit almost the same exact single.  After a 3 run HR from Catcher Matt Wieters,  Conor Jackson the DH goes back to back.  4-0 Orioles and they never looked back.

Michael Young the Phils 3B hit s a two-run shot in the third.

Then, Jackson hits his own three run variety in the fifth after a two run double by Wieters. RF Jason Pridie the one time Minnesota Twins high hope prospect and former Phillie and Met hit a two run dinger in the fifth as well.   Five  innings in the books and 9 RBI form Wieters (5) and Jackson (4) and the O’s had a commanding 11-2 lead.

The Phillies added a solo shot in the eighth by SS Freddy Galvis.

The ball was just jumping out of “The Ed.”

I know it’s early in the spring but this Orioles team looks like they are expanding where they left off last year.  A good outing today by Orioles starter Chris Tillman made me start to think he could build on his 2012 career year.  In 2012 Tillman was 9-3 in 15 starts with a 2.93 ERA.  “Tillman pitched well,” said O’s skipper Buck Showalter after the game.  Tillman who got the w was cruising with  three strikeouts until Young’s homer. A walk to the next batter Lance Nix would complete right-hander Tillman’s day.

Showalter also answered to the overall progress to this point and he said, “Camp has a good feel.”

I was impressed with Orioles line-up and will keep my eyes on them to see if I put them second or third. (A little AL East foreshadowing)

Also I was impressed with Ed Smith Stadium and very impressed with the Orioles organization’s hospitality.  Not all MLB teams get it.

This is Rick Sassone and I will see you at spring training.