Dennis Sarfate

Monday night, the Astros got a little payoff from their deal with the Orioles that sent shortstop Miguel Tejada to Houston for a fistful of players. In the Astros' 5-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, Tejada made a sparkling play in the field in the top of the ninth and then won the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning.

Boston catcher Victor Martinez drove in six runs with a pair of long home runs Wednesday as the Red Sox scored a 14-6 exhibition victory over the Orioles before an announced 7,657 at Ed Smith Stadium. Martinez lit up right-hander Jason Berken with a two-run shot in the third inning and hit a grand slam off the tall backdrop in straightaway center field against reliever Jim Johnson. Infielder Kevin Frandsen also hit a grand slam, in the eighth off Dennis Sarfate. Berken lasted just 2 1/3 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits in what figures to be his last outing of spring training.

THE COLLAPSE:: Jamie Walker served up a solo homer to Dustin Pedroia, and Rocky Cherry issued a bases-loaded walk to Coco Crisp in the seventh inning, allowing Boston to cut a four-run deficit to two. The Red Sox tied it in the eighth on Mark Kotsay's two-run triple. They won it in the ninth as pitcher Jim Miller fielded Jacoby Ellsbury's bunt and threw the ball into left field in an attempt to force out Alex Cora at third base. HUFF DENIED: : Aubrey Huff thought he had his 31st home run and 99th RBI in the fifth.

Boston catcher Victor Martinez drove in six runs with a pair of long homers on Wednesday as the Red Sox scored a 14-6 exhibition victory over the Orioles before an announced 7,657 at Ed Smith Stadium. Martinez lit up right-hander Jason Berken with a two-run shot in the third inning and launched a grand slam off the tall backdrop in straightaway center field against reliever Jim Johnson. Infielder Kevin Frandsen also hit a grand slam in the eighth off Dennis Sarfate. Berken lasted just 2 1/3 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits in what figures to be his last outing of spring training.

JONES KEEPS HITTING There haven't been as many positives as the Orioles would like this spring, but the organization is certainly feeling good about the development of center fielder Adam Jones. The second-year Oriole went 3-for-4 to raise his spring average to .378. He singled in the first inning, doubled in the Orioles' four-run fourth and hit a two-run homer in the fifth. BULLPEN STRUGGLES It wasn't a good day for a couple of the relievers who will be in the team's Opening Day bullpen.

Today @Mariners, 10:10 p.m., MASN2 * Starters: Garrett Olson (7-5, 5.90) vs. Mariners' Jarrod Washburn (5-9, 4.50) Tomorrow @Mariners, 10:10 p.m., MASN2 * Starters: Jeremy Guthrie (7-8, 3.49) vs. Mariners' Felix Hernandez (7-6, 3.02) Sunday @Mariners, 4:10 p.m., MASN2 * Starters: Daniel Cabrera (7-6, 4.81) vs. Mariners' Carlos Silva (4-12, 5.95) Monday @Angels, 10:05 p.m., MASN2 * Starters: Dennis Sarfate (4-2, 4.00) vs. Angels' Joe Saunders (14-5, 3.09) Tuesday @Angels, 10:05 p.m., MASN2 * Starters: Olson vs. Angels' Jon Garland (9-6, 4.30)

The Minnesota Twins brought out their best Thursday night, fielding an exhibition lineup that very likely will be the same on Opening Day. They certainly played their best, hammering starter Kevin Millwood on the way to a rain-shortened 8-3 victory over the Orioles at Hammond Stadium. Michael Cuddyer led off the second inning with a home run, and the Twins batted around to score four times in the second inning and spoil Millwood's second Grapefruit League start in an Orioles uniform.

The Orioles sent nine more players to minor league camp Friday, including two of their top hitting prospects and one of last season's relievers. Third baseman Josh Bell and first baseman Brandon Snyder were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk along with first basemen Michael Aubrey and Rhyne Hughes. Infielder Pedro Florimon was optioned to Double-A Bowie while relievers Dennis Sarfate, Frank Mata and Josh Perrault and outfielder Jonathan Tucker were reassigned to minor league camp. Sarfate, who was taken off the 40-man roster this winter but was a dark-horse candidate for the bullpen, said he endorsed the move because he wants to continue to build his arm strength.

Cla Meredith is taking the decision out of manager Dave Trembley 's hands. Needing a good spring to make the Orioles' Opening Day roster, the right-handed reliever has been flawless. He pitched another scoreless inning in the Orioles' 4-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium on Wednesday, and he has not allowed a base runner in his six outings spanning five innings. "He's gotten both left- and right-handed hitters out," Trembley said. "For the most part, he's kept his pitches down, and by down, I mean the count, not the location.

- Brad Bergesen felt more comfortable the second time around, pitching 2 2/3 innings and giving up just a home run to David Ortiz in the Orioles' 8-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday at City of Palms Park. Bergesen threw 41 pitches - 27 of them for strikes - and benefited from a big afternoon by designated hitter Luke Scott to get the victory in his second exhibition start after entering the rotation late because of a shoulder injury. "Actually, [I felt] a lot better than the first outing, as far as mechanics go," he said.

The Minnesota Twins brought out their best Thursday night, fielding an exhibition lineup that very likely will be the same on Opening Day. They certainly played their best, hammering starter Kevin Millwood on the way to a rain-shortened 8-3 victory over the Orioles at Hammond Stadium. Michael Cuddyer led off the second inning with a home run, and the Twins batted around to score four times in the second inning and spoil Millwood's second Grapefruit League start in an Orioles uniform.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley insists that it's purely coincidental. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz, however, smiles knowingly. Whether the Orioles' bullpen alignment this spring has been purposefully scripted or not depends on whom you believe. However, it sure seems like every time Dennis Sarfate pitches, it's right before Matt Albers or right after Cla Meredith. Every time Will Ohman pitches, Kam Mickolio enters the game next. The candidates for the Orioles' two or three bullpen vacancies have certainly gotten a close look at their competition, and Kranitz hopes that they're all paying attention.

- The Orioles ran into a string of fine pitching performances by the Minnesota Twins on Monday and managed just three hits in a 5-0 loss at Ed Smith Stadium. Starter Kevin Slowey and Nick Blackburn each pitched three innings, gave up a hit and a walk and struck out two. The Twins scored two runs off Orioles starting pitcher Brian Matusz in the top of the first inning, all they would need to send the Orioles to their fifth loss in six Grapefruit League exhibition games. Matusz worked 2 2/3 innings and allowed three hits, but he continued to overpower hitters with his fastball and changeup.

- It's time for the games to begin. The Orioles open the exhibition season this afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays in what will be Baltimore's Grapefruit League debut as the spring resident at Ed Smith Stadium. "Everybody is anxious to get the spring training games under way," manager Dave Trembley said. Jeremy Guthrie will take the mound for the Orioles against Tampa Bay's James Shields . Newly signed left-hander Will Ohman and right-hander Matt Albers also are scheduled to pitch for the Orioles, along with other unannounced relievers.

It's time for the games to begin. The Orioles open the exhibition season on Wednesday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays in what will be the O's' Grapefruit League debut as the permanent spring resident at Ed Smith Stadium. "Everybody is anxious to get the spring training games under way," said manager Dave Trembley. Jeremy Guthrie will take the mound for the O's against Tampa Bay's James Shields. Newly signed left-hander Will Ohman and right-hander Matt Albers also are scheduled to pitch for the Orioles, along with several other unannounced relievers.