Cashner delivers strong outing; Orioles get 18 hits; Jackson’s on the move

LAKELAND, Fla.-What’s happening? – Dylan Bundy starts against the Minnesota Twins today in Sarasota. Jimmy Yacabonis, Mychal Givens, Evan Phillips and Josh Lucas are also scheduled to pitch.

Third baseman Renato Nunez was out because of a sore right arm.

The weather forecast isn’t a positive one for Sarasota. The Orioles haven’t had a rainout and had one game halted in the bottom of the eighth because of rain.

“It’s not a horrible thing,” manager Brandon Hyde said about a possible rainout. “Some players could use days. For the pitching, it kind of screws you up a little bit.”

Hyde said that with less than a week to go before the team leaves Florida, positions haven’t been secured.

“I haven’t told anybody they’re on the team,” Hyde said. “There’s a waiver wire that happens every single day, and in our position, always looking to try and add talent. I haven’t made any promises to anybody.”

The Orioles acquired minor league catcher Lenin Rodriguez from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for internatioonal bonus money.

What’s happened?— Andrew Cashner allowed one run on three hits in five innings as the Orioles beat the Detroit Tigers, 14-1.

Cashner, who lowered his spring ERA to 6.08, gave up a one-out home run to Nicholas Castellanos and retired his final 12 batters. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.

“It finally all came together today,” Cashner said. “I thought I slowed my pace down a little bit. I thought I spun the ball a lot better today. I made some tweaks on my curveball.”

Cashner said he hadn’t thrown his curveball often this spring.

“I told them I was ready to go today,” Cashner said. “Today was a big step in the right direction as far as all my pitches coming together.”

Nate Karns, Miguel Castro, Richard Bleier and Mychal Givens combined to throw four perfect innings.

“Cash was outstanding,” Hyde said. “All of our pitchers. No walks on the day in spring training? Cash working ahead, really good four-seamer today. Kept his velocity through the five innings, which is fantastic. Off-speed stuff for strikes, was aggressive, attacked hitters.”

The Orioles scored six runs in the fifth, three in the seventh and four in the eighth.

Jonathan Villar and Trey Mancini had back-to-back triples in the fifth. Villar’s scored three runs.

Dwight Smith Jr. had three hits, including a two-run home run.

Hyde brought Ryan Mountcastle to the game from minor league camp. Mountcastle, who served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-5, had been cut from the Orioles’ roster on March 10.

“I think it’s good experience for him,” Hyde said.

What’s up with? Drew Jackson. He played right field for the first time after playing second base, shortstop, third base and center field.

The Rule 5 draft choice doesn’t find it strange to change positions.

“No, it’s fun. I like it,” Jackson said. “It makes baseball more exciting when you go out there and you get a new look from a different position every day. When you’re a kid, you always wonder what it’s like to play a different position. I was always a shortstop. Now, I’ve got to go around and see what I’ve got at every position.”

It’s not a surprise for Jackson (pictured above) that he’s been asked to play so many positions.

“I knew it coming into camp,” Jackson said. “They asked me, how comfortable in the outfield? I told them, very comfortable. I’ve played there dating back to high school, a handful of games every year. It wasn’t until…a couple of weeks ago that I started getting more reps in the outfield, which is great because I’m feeling even more comfortable every outing.”

The Orioles will need an emergency catcher. Jackson may have to be that guy, too.

“I can’t say I have,” Jackson said. “I don’t know my knees want me to, but I guess I can do it. Definitely pitch. Definitely throw some heaters.”

What’s what? Hyde says that it’s no big adjustment for him to manage with a designated hitter. He jokes that in his only game as a big league manager when he filled in with the Miami Marlins, it was against the Tampa Bay Rays.

There are other variables in the National League, Hyde points out.

“Bullpen usage, when your pitcher’s coming up in the sixth with two guys on, double switches,” Hyde said.  

What’s the word? “At this point, you’re ready to get your 25 and go play somebody with 40,000 in the stands. When that day comes, I’ll be excited about it.”-Hyde on being eager to start the season.

What’s the number. 18. The Orioles had 18 hits.

What’s the record? 12-11-2. The Orioles play the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium at 1:05 p.m.