Tag Archives: Twins

Pearce-ing the 25-man roster?

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Steve Pearce’s surprising spring stats and Wilson Betemit’s knee injury might mean Pearce will earn a roster spot. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America)

The old proverb says, “One man’s loss is another man’s gain.”

In yesterday’s Spring Training game between the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox, Wilson Betemit of the O’s went down in the 5th inning with an injury. After the game it was announced Betemit suffered a torn PCL in his right knee.

Betemit will be out an estimated 6-8 weeks, but that might be to the benefit of Steve Pearce.

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Taking a second look at the hole at second base

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The void at second base may not be solved in Spring Training for the Orioles. (Photo courtesy of J. Meric/Getty Images North America)

The void at second base may not be solved in Spring Training for the Orioles. (Photo courtesy of J. Meric/Getty Images North America)

Prior to the start of Spring Training, The Birdhouse asked, who’s on second for the Baltimore Orioles in 2013?

With the Orioles slated to face the Tampa Bay Rays on Opening Day just one week away, the search for the team’s second baseman is nearing an end.

The best assumptions to fill the hole at second are Brian Roberts, who has played in an O’s uniform in just 115 games since the start of the 2010 season. Alexi Casilla, who played middle infield for the Minnesota Twins between 2006 and 2012. And Ryan Flaherty, who served as a utility man for the Baltimore in 2012.

Roberts is the oldest Oriole on the 2013 roster. (Photo Courtesy of Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)

Roberts is the oldest Oriole on the 2013 roster. (Photo Courtesy of Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)

Roberts has played in 14 Spring Training games accumulating a .357 batting average with a home run, 4 RBIs, while drawing 4 walks and stealing 3 bases.

Casilla, who the Orioles acquired off waivers from the Twins on November 2, 2012, is another candidate for the role.

Casilla has appeared in 15 games this spring. He has posted a .289 average, with 2 doubles and 2 stolen bases. However, along with his 10 Ks, he has yet to homer and has yet to drive in a run.

Flaherty started 20 games at second for Buck Showalter and the Birds in 2012. The most games at any position for the 26-year old.

Flaherty is in his second season with the Orioles and the fourth of his career. (Photo courtesy of Jim Rogash/Getty Images North America)

Flaherty is almost guaranteed to make the squad based just on his position flexibility alone. This spring in 23 games, Flaherty is batting .262, with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs.

The battle for the role of second baseman may not be settled this spring. It could carry over to the regular season, where Showalter and the O’s will wait and see who steps up to win the job when the games actually matter.

The Orioles will open the 2013 season in Tampa with a 3 p.m. start on April 2. The Opening Day starter has yet to be named for the O’s.

Orioles extend winning streak to 5-0, then fall to Minnesota

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Before Feb. 28, Baltimore (5-0), Kansas City (5-0) and the Chicago White Sox (3-0) were the only undefeated teams remaining in Spring Training. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Before Feb. 28, Baltimore (5-0), Kansas City (5-0) and the Chicago White Sox (3-0) were the only undefeated teams remaining in Spring Training. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

With two wins in split-squad action on Feb. 27, the Baltimore Orioles extended their winning streak to five games to start the 2013 Spring Training schedule.

The split-squad games were played against division rival Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Half of the O’s played host to the Sox in a 1 o’clock game at Ed Smith Stadium, while the other half traveled to Tampa to take on the Yanks.

In the matinee match-up, Baltimore trailed Boston, 2-1, entering the sixth inning. In the bottom of the inning, Chris Davis hit his first homer of the spring to give the Orioles a 3-1 lead. The O’s would add two more in the seventh on a two-run Taylor Teagarden single. Boston would get a run back in the eighth, but the birds held on for a 5-3 victory.

Pearce, who was claimed off waivers from the Yankees on Sept. 29, leads the Orioles this spring in hits and RBIs.

Pearce, who was claimed off waivers from the Yankees on Sept. 29, leads the Orioles this spring in hits and RBIs. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

In the night cap, the Orioles scored early and often against New York starter Nik Turley. After allowing five runs in just 1/3 of an inning, Turley was relieved by Cody Eppley who would allow two more runs in the second inning. The Yankees would score four runs in the  home half of the second and would add another three in the ninth, but Baltimore would get the win 10-7.

The Oriole offense in the late game was led by Steve Pearce, who went 2-3 with a double and three RBIs. This spring, Pearce has reached base five times in seven plate appearances, driving in a team-high six runs in the process.

The Orioles winning streak would end on Feb. 28 after a 7-1 loss against the Minnesota Twins.

Jair Jurrjens made his first spring start, lasting just one inning while allowing three runs and walking three.

The Orioles would collect eight hits but only managed to score one run. Minnesota was propelled by Joe Mauer, Josh Willingham and Justin Morneau as the 3-4-5 spot hitters, respectively, went a combined 6-7, drawing two walks while recording five RBIs.

On March 1, the Orioles and Pirates are slated to face off in Sarasota, while the World Baseball Classic tournament opens with Australia and Chinese Taipei in Taichung, Taiwan.