FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Tabbed as the starter yesterday after Sidney Ponson was scratched because of a visa-related issue, nonroster pitcher James Baldwin tossed four scoreless innings to lead the Orioles past the Florida Marlins, 5-0.
Baldwin allowed three hits, walked one and struck out one. No other Orioles starter had gone more than three innings before yesterday. Midre Cummings and Sal Fasano, both nonroster players, hit back-to-back homers in the eighth off Marlins reliever Todd Jones.
The Orioles scored twice off Marlins starter Al Leiter in the third inning. Enrique Wilson doubled, Chris Gomez walked and both runners advanced on David Newhan's bunt. Larry Bigbie followed with a sacrifice fly, and the lead increased to 2-0 on a wild pitch.
Newhan drove in a run in the fifth inning with a single into left-center field off reliever Chris Resop.
Matt Riley replaced Baldwin but was knocked from the game when a line drive by Alex Gonzalez hit him above the left biceps. Aaron Rakers took over for Riley and didn't allow a run in 1 2/3 innings.
Who's hot
James Baldwin: Could excel in the rotation if told of his starting assignment about five minutes before every game.
David Newhan: Does all the little things well, and a few of the big ones, too.
Midre Cummings: Admired his homer for a few seconds before breaking into a trot. Beats watching his career pass before his eyes.
B.J. Ryan: Bounced back from Saturday's ninth-inning meltdown by striking out two to close the game.
Walter Young: Ripped a double into right field. He won't make the club this spring, but the man is getting noticed for more than his habit of blocking out the sun.
Who's not
Matt Riley: Got a new tattoo on his left arm - the seams of a baseball. Trouble used to follow this guy. Now it's line drives.
Sidney Ponson: You know it's bad when you're getting squeezed by the plate umpire and it's your third base coach.
Injury report
Brian Roberts missed his second straight game with a strained muscle in his right shoulder. ... Melvin Mora showed up with flu-like symptoms and got the day off.
Sammy Sosa watch
Sosa went 0-for-1 and was hit by a pitch.
Orioles today
Opponent: New York Mets
Site: Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Time: 1:10 p.m.
TV/Radio: None
