Nationals quiet O's bats
The Orioles scored one run in the first inning today, which did nothing to set the tone for their game against the Washington Nationals .
That's because one run was all they'd get.
Left-hander John Lannan shut them out over the next five innings, and the Washington bullpen threw more blanks in the Nationals' 2-1 win over the Orioles at Space Coast Stadium.
With the score tied, 1-1, in the seventh, Orioles reliever Dennis Sarfate hit Ryan Langerhans with two outs. Langerhans moved up on a wild pitch, and he scored the go-ahead run on Jesus Flores' single to left field.
Flores got caught in a rundown for the last out, but it didn't matter. The damage was done.
Lannan held the Orioles to one run and three hits over six innings, walking one and striking out five. He won't make the Opening Day roster, but he could be given the April 13th start if Shawn Hill isn't ready.
'He throws real good strikes, changes speeds, good command on both sides,' Orioles manager Dave Trembley said.
Trembley also had praise for his own starter, Steve Trachsel , who allowed one run and four hits in six innings. Felipe Lopez homered off him in the third.
'Trachsel is what we came here for,' Trembley said. 'Command both sides of the plate, good tempo, pitched very good.'
Trachsel, expected to follow Jeremy Guthrie as the No. 2 starter in the rotation, had an effective curveball but wasn't happy with his command on his split-fingered fastball.
'It was a good, strong way to finish the spring,' he said. 'I'd like to be a little bit better down in the zone with my split, but I made some good adjustments later in the game, so I'm real happy with it.'
Signed to a minor league deal in February, Trachsel has become an important part of the rotation. But he's still waiting for Trembley to reveal his place in it.
He's lined up to make the Orioles' second start on Wednesday, followed by Daniel Cabrera and Adam Loewen.
'I haven't been told yet. I'll wait until I'm told. I haven't heard anything official. I'm sure he'll say something soon,' Trachsel said.
'I didn't really care where I was going to be, but if that's how it works out, that would be nice. I'm just happy to go out there and give us opportunities to win and make all my starts and just do the little things I've been doing for 14 years.'
The Orioles' only run came in the first inning when Chris Roberson walked, stole second, moved up on a fielder's choice and scored on an Oscar Salazar grounder.
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