Orioles start Spring Training 3-0

The Orioles opened their Spring Training schedule on Feb. 23. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

The Orioles opened their Spring Training schedule on Feb. 23. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

The Baltimore Orioles are hoping their 3-0 start is a sign of things to come for the 2013 season.

The O’s opened their Spring Training schedule on Feb. 23 against the Minnesota Twins. Entering the 7th inning Baltimore trailed 3-2. After a one-out double by Yamaico Navarro, Jonathan Schoop tied the game with a single. In the 8th, Russ Canzler drew a lead-off walk and newcomer Trayvon Robinson hit a two-run home run that eventually won the game, 5-3.

The next day the Orioles traveled to Dunedin, Fla. Spring Training home of the Toronto Blue Jays. The game was tied 3-3 until the 8th inning. Robinson once again was a difference maker, leading off the inning with a double. Jason Pridie would hit a ground-rule double to score Robinson. Pridie then advanced to third on an error by Blue Jay shortstop Ryan Goins. Navarro singled in Pridie for the eventual game-winning RBI. Toronto scored one run in the bottom half of the inning and left two runners on in the 9th, O’s won 5-4.

Matusz pitched two scoreless innings against the Yankees on Feb. 25. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Matusz pitched two scoreless innings against the Yankees on Feb. 25. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

In the third contest, the Orioles played host to the New York Yankees, winning 5-1. The bright spot in this game involved the efforts of rising star Manny Machado, returning veteran Brian Roberts, and the top candidate for first baseman Chris Davis.

The trio combined to go 3-5 on Feb. 25, scoring three times for the birds. They also worked together to get starter Brian Matusz out of a first-inning jam by turning a textbook 5-4-3 double play.

After the Feb. 26 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates was postponed due to rain, the Orioles are scheduled to play in split-squad action against the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox on Feb. 27.

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