The Baltimore Orioles earned a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium on Thursday in spring training action. Samuel Basallo paced the offense, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI, giving the coaching staff plenty to be encouraged about as the exhibition schedule continues. On the mound, Trevor Rogers turned in a solid outing, working 5.1 innings of 2-run ball with seven strikeouts. The Pirates out-hit the Orioles 9-7 on the day. It was an encouraging performance for the Orioles as they continue sharpening the roster for the regular season. Games like these serve as a valuable measuring stick for where the team stands heading into the campaign.
Key Performers
Samuel Basallo was the top performer at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI. The long ball provided a major boost to the offensive attack. It was the kind of day at the plate that suggests good things ahead for the Orioles offense.
Jhonkensy Noel provided support, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, Jeremiah Jackson also contributed, going 2-for-4, and Leody Taveras chipped in, going 1-for-3. It was a balanced attack that kept the pressure on from the first pitch to the last.
On the other side of the diamond, Bryan Reynolds led the Pirates offense with a 2-for-3 with an RBI day. Jared Triolo also contributed, going 1-for-3. Murf Gray added a 1-for-1 with a double effort as well. Despite those contributions, the Orioles pitching staff did enough to limit the damage and secure the victory.
On the Mound
Trevor Rogers earned the win after pitching effectively, working 5.1 innings while allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits with seven strikeouts. He threw 82 pitches in the outing. His outing provided the coaching staff with another data point as rotation and bullpen decisions loom.
The bullpen was sharp, combining for 3.2 scoreless innings while striking out six. The relief corps did its job in protecting the lead after the starter departed. Managing the bullpen workload is a key priority during the spring, and every outing helps the coaching staff gauge who is ready for high-leverage situations. Jackson Kowar recorded the save to close out the game.
Among the relievers, Ryan Helsley stood out with 1.0 innings of scoreless work, striking out two. The outing gave the coaching staff confidence in his ability to contribute this season.
How It Happened
The Orioles struck first, scoring a run in the first inning. The Orioles pushed across two runs in the second. The Orioles plated two runs in the third. Pirates answered with two runs in the fifth. The Orioles spread their scoring across three different innings, applying consistent pressure throughout the game. Pirates out-hit the Orioles 9-7, with both teams playing clean defense. A crowd of 5,734 was on hand to take in the action.
Looking Ahead
It was a productive day for the Orioles, who continue to put the pieces in place ahead of the regular season. The coaching staff will take the positives from this outing and use the remaining spring games to finalize the roster. Days like this one suggest the Orioles are heading in the right direction as Opening Day draws closer.