Early Innings

On the field: Going into last night, the Orioles had played the second toughest schedule in the AL, based on the winning percentages of the teams they've played. The Orioles' opponents have a .525 winning percentage, second only to Chicago (.551).In the dugout: The Brewers played their typical aggressive style, at the behest of manager Phil Garner, and may have hurt themselves in the early innings. Pat Listach tried to bunt in the second inning, with a runner at first, and popped out, and in the third, Kevin Seitzer was doubled off first on a line drive to Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro.

When the Orioles open up spring training down in Sarasota two weeks from tomorrow, expect non-roster pitchers Mike Wright and Eduardo Rodriguez, who are among the organization's top pitching prospects, to be among those looking to make an impression in major league camp. With the World Baseball Classic pushing the beginning of spring training up a week, the Orioles likely limit some regulars, especially pitchers, when games begin on Feb. 23. That will give many of the Orioles' younger players an opportunity to make an impression during the opening days of the Grapefruit League season.

What the Orioles did yesterday: They beat up on Minnesota in their first exhibition game of spring training, 12-4, bashing four homers, including two by Jeffrey Hammonds. Brady Anderson also went 2-for-2, and Jimmy Key, Mike Johnson and Esteban Yan each pitched two scoreless innings.What they'll do today: The Orioles will host the Marlins and their new, expensive lineup, including third baseman Bobby Bonilla.You know it's spring training when: Players begin exploring, with rules relaxed. Pitcher Mike Mussina borrowed a photographer's camera and, along with Alan Mills, who was using his own camera, took a few pictures in the early innings.

GUTS, BUT NO GLORY Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie struck out 10 batters over six innings to become the first Orioles pitcher to record a double-digit strikeout total since Erik Bedard struck out 11 Texas Rangers on Aug. 21, 2007. Not that it did him any good in the win-loss department. He gave up three runs - two on solo home runs in the early innings - and left with the game tied. HE'S HUMAN, SORT OF Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander came into the game with a 5-0 record and a 0.85 ERA in his previous six starts, and he picked up right where he left off by giving up just two hits through the first four innings.

GUTS, BUT NO GLORY Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie struck out 10 batters over six innings to become the first Orioles pitcher to record a double-digit strikeout total since Erik Bedard struck out 11 Texas Rangers on Aug. 21, 2007. Not that it did him any good in the win-loss department. He gave up three runs - two on solo home runs in the early innings - and left with the game tied. HE'S HUMAN, SORT OF Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander came into the game with a 5-0 record and a 0.85 ERA in his previous six starts, and he picked up right where he left off by giving up just two hits through the first four innings.

Kenny Cloude did it all yesterday as third-ranked McDonogh (11-2) whipped visiting and No. 4 Mount St. Joseph (12-3), 19-3.It marked the second time this season that McDonogh routed the Gaels. McDonogh had won, 11-2, in the first meeting.The victory left the Eagles 10-1 in Maryland Scholastic Association A Conference, a game up on Calvert Hall (9-2) and two ahead of St. Joe (7-3).Cloude (5-2), the ace of the defending MSA A Conference champions' pitching staff, was sharp in the early innings (retiring the first seven batters)

The Bash Brothers didn't raise a forearm last night, but the renewed and improved Oakland Athletics left behind some bruised egos when they slipped out of Baltimore.Orioles right-hander Mike Mussina brought home a run with a wild pitch and set up the go-ahead run with another to help the A's complete a three-game sweep with a 4-2 victory at Camden Yards.The Orioles had been next to invincible at home until the A's arrived in town, but even their last unbeaten pitcher could not keep the Oakland lineup under wraps.

DETROIT -- As Ben McDonald pulled off his jacket yesterday to warm up for his first major-league appearance in two months, everything felt strange.Strange, because throwing doesn't come naturally to McDonald right now, after such a long layoff. His mechanics are halted, his control sporadic. Strange, because as the lifelong starter prepared to pitch, there was a game going on, and another guy TC was throwing next to him in the bullpen.McDonald shook off his feelings of discomfort, how ever, and threw four good innings of relief in the Orioles' 7-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers yesterday afternoon.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- There aren't going to be too many instances when 36-year-old Rick Sutcliffe has to defer to his elder, but last night was one of them.He went head-to-head with Texas Rangers right-hander Nolan Ryan -- nine years his senior -- and came up on the short end of a 5-2 decision in the opener of a four-game series at steamy Arlington Stadium.Ryan gave up just two hits over seven innings to win his fourth game in a row and sent the Orioles to their fourth consecutive loss in the process.

It should have been one of those feel-good nights. The Orioles drew their largest crowd of the year and peppered the bleachers with souvenirs on the way to a 9-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, but it could have been a much more pleasant experience.Cal Ripken hit two home runs and reliever Arthur Rhodes became the first Orioles pitcher in 20 years to go undefeated through eight decisions, but the circumstance that led to Rhodes' presence in the game took some of the luster off the victory for the sellout crowd of 47,644 at Camden Yards.

Scoring early and often is a habit Mount Hebron coach Matt Forsyth would like his team to cultivate. Yesterday at Mount Hebron the unranked Vikings (2-1 overall, 2-1 league) jumped on Centennial starting pitcher Brad Loveless for five runs in the first inning and six in the second inning on the way to an 11-0 victory against the seventh-ranked Eagles (2-1, 2-1). The battle of Ellicott City rivals ended after five innings because of the 10-run slaughter rule. "They are the best hitting club I've seen and just flat-out outplayed us today," Centennial coach Mike Lerner said.

The latest stock market bounce hadn't filtered down to the Eutaw Street Promenade by game time yesterday. Most people only knew what happened Monday. You remember that? The 512-point loss, the second-biggest drop in history, the one that once again raised the question: Has the Bull become a Bear?No, the Camden Yards vendors were still dealing with Monday. Their reaction depended on what inning they're in in the game of life. The 30-somethings have an easy confidence, even though they took a hit."

MIAMI -- The Cleveland Indians have proved it over and over. They are the team that will not die.They came back in the Division Series. They upset the heavily favored Orioles in the American League Championship Series. And last night they pushed the 93rd World Series to the limit with a 4-1 victory over the Florida Marlins at Pro Player Stadium.Right-hander Chad Ogea made the sellout crowd of 67,498 do a double-take, beating the Marlins with both his arm and -- believe it or not -- his bat. He pitched five strong innings to out-duel Marlins ace Kevin Brown for the second time in six days, and contributed a clutch two-run single that would be the only run-scoring hit of the game.

This is how well things are going for the Orioles: Scott Erickson has won his first two decisions of the season and catcher Chris Hoiles is batting .303. Even the slow starters are off to fast starts.Erickson is off to the best start of his career, in fact. He had never before started a season with two straight wins, but he threw eight strong innings last night to defeat the Minnesota Twins, 4-2, before 36,288 at Camden Yards.OK, so maybe 2-0 isn't all that exciting, but when you consider that Erickson came into 1997 with a career 5-15 record in April, and when you consider that he came into the season with a groin strain, this is a pretty positive development.

What the Orioles did yesterday: They beat up on Minnesota in their first exhibition game of spring training, 12-4, bashing four homers, including two by Jeffrey Hammonds. Brady Anderson also went 2-for-2, and Jimmy Key, Mike Johnson and Esteban Yan each pitched two scoreless innings.What they'll do today: The Orioles will host the Marlins and their new, expensive lineup, including third baseman Bobby Bonilla.You know it's spring training when: Players begin exploring, with rules relaxed. Pitcher Mike Mussina borrowed a photographer's camera and, along with Alan Mills, who was using his own camera, took a few pictures in the early innings.

It should have been one of those feel-good nights. The Orioles drew their largest crowd of the year and peppered the bleachers with souvenirs on the way to a 9-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, but it could have been a much more pleasant experience.Cal Ripken hit two home runs and reliever Arthur Rhodes became the first Orioles pitcher in 20 years to go undefeated through eight decisions, but the circumstance that led to Rhodes' presence in the game took some of the luster off the victory for the sellout crowd of 47,644 at Camden Yards.

MIAMI -- The Cleveland Indians have proved it over and over. They are the team that will not die.They came back in the Division Series. They upset the heavily favored Orioles in the American League Championship Series. And last night they pushed the 93rd World Series to the limit with a 4-1 victory over the Florida Marlins at Pro Player Stadium.Right-hander Chad Ogea made the sellout crowd of 67,498 do a double-take, beating the Marlins with both his arm and -- believe it or not -- his bat. He pitched five strong innings to out-duel Marlins ace Kevin Brown for the second time in six days, and contributed a clutch two-run single that would be the only run-scoring hit of the game.

Westminster coach Scott Tobias called his team "a clone" of playoff opponent Watkins Mill. At times, the teams mirror each other on the field as both are strong fundamentally.But Watkins Mill was a bit stronger yesterday. Kelly Drayton threw a five-hitter, Mitra Pitts knocked in two runs and the visiting Wolverines kept their mistakes to a minimum in a 3-1 victory over Westminster in a Class 4A West region semifinal.Watkins Mill (17-1), which will play either Springbrook or Quince Orchard in the region final tomorrow, swung the bat well and finished with 10 hits.

On the field: Going into last night, the Orioles had played the second toughest schedule in the AL, based on the winning percentages of the teams they've played. The Orioles' opponents have a .525 winning percentage, second only to Chicago (.551).In the dugout: The Brewers played their typical aggressive style, at the behest of manager Phil Garner, and may have hurt themselves in the early innings. Pat Listach tried to bunt in the second inning, with a runner at first, and popped out, and in the third, Kevin Seitzer was doubled off first on a line drive to Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro.