Ortiz anchored a Dominican lineup that did not - and might not - include New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, who instead flew to Vail, Colo., yesterday to be examined by Dr. Marc Philippon, a hip specialist at Steadman-Hawkins Clinic. Rodriguez has a cyst on his right hip that could keep him out of the World Baseball Classic.
Tejada, whose reluctance to move from shortstop to third base accelerated the Orioles' decision to trade him to the Houston Astros, played third in Rodriguez's absence. He had a tough day, going 1-for-4, hitting into two double plays and misplaying an infield pop-up and Markakis' first-inning ground ball that was a prelude to Wigginton's home run.
Martinez, who is a free agent and hoping to sign with a club after the World Baseball Classic, allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk in two innings. His every move was cheered, and he even got a standing ovation after striking out Chris Gomez to end the fifth.
"It felt great," Martinez said. "I'm still a little bit off on the pitches and getting a feel for the game, but I felt great. For the first time out in a real, real game, it's really good. I will take it as a plus day."
So did the Orioles, who considered the festive afternoon a nice deviation from the rigors of their Grapefruit League schedule.
"It was kind of bizarre," Gomez said. "It was cloudy, windy, rainy. The music. The whole atmosphere was surreal. It was cool. Spring training gets monotonous, so I'm for anything to switch it up."
Baltimore Sun reporter Peter Schmuck contributed to this article.
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
Opening game: Today, China vs. Japan, 4:30 a.m., ESPN2
TV: ESPN, ESPN2, MLB Network
Semifinals and final: Dodger Stadium, March 21-23
Defending champion: Japan is back to defend its title with outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, pitching ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, infielder Akinori Iwamura and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.
Top challengers
Dominican Republic: If Alex Rodriguez (hip cyst) plays at all, he's not a bad third baseman to have on the same side of the infield as Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes.
Venezuela: Would have helped to get Johan Santana and Carlos Zambrano onto the mound to join closer Francisco Rodriguez, but any team with Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez in the lineup is formidable.
Cuba: Made a surprising run to the championship game the first time out in 2006. Getting older, but second baseman Yulieski Gourriel (listed at 24) is still here.
United States: Most of the talk is again about who isn't here (Tim Lincecum, Joe Nathan, Torii Hunter) instead of who is, but with Olympic manager Davey Johnson on the scene, there will be a different approach from the first time out.
Orioles in WBC: Mike Costanzo (Italy); Jeremy Guthrie (U.S.); Cesar Izturis (Venezuela); Melvin Mora (Venezuela)
Opening-round brackets
(top two advance)
Tokyo: China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Toronto: U.S., Canada, Italy, Venezuela
San Juan: Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico
Mexico City: South Africa, Cuba, Australia, Mexico
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
