Basallo catches 5 innings in Orioles’ 7-3 win over Phillies; Povich pitches 2 hitless innings

CLEARWATER, Florida–What’s happening? Dean Kremer will start for the Orioles when they play the Atlanta Braves on Monday at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Reynaldo López is scheduled to pitch for the Braves.

There’s a 95 percent chance of rain on Monday.

“We’re discussing it right now,” manager Brandon Hyde said before Sunday’s game. “We’re hoping for the best, that we can get the game in. We’ll see if we’re going to push guys back or if we’re going to throw guys in the cage. We’re going to make the determination tomorrow morning.”

Charlie Morton is scheduled to pitch against Detroit on Tuesday, and Tomoyuki Sugano will pitch against Pittsburgh in Bradenton on Wednesday.

Félix Bautista pitched live batting practice for the first time since his Tommy John surgery in October 2023 in Sarasota.

“I’m looking forward to hearing how it went,” Hyde said. “It’s been a long rehab process for him. I know he’s super pumped up about today, first time really facing guys, and facing some of our main guys, too. The hitters were excited to see him out there, see what it looks like. He’s made gradual improvements, and he’s done everything really, really well from the rehab standpoint. I hope it goes well today.”

What’s happened? Samuel Basallo was 1-for-3 and caught five innings in the Orioles’ 7-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 8.702 at BayCare Ballpark on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Basallo, who caught for the first time in a Grapefruit League game, successfully challenged a call when Brandon Young was pitching and got a ball on Kyle Schwarber reversed to a strike.

“I caught the ball, and I thought it was a strike, so I immediately tapped my mask,” Basallo said through a translator. “Last year, I had some experience with it, and I used it a few times. I didn’t use it as much as one would think because I was scared to fail. I used it … a few times. It felt really good that I was able to catch today. I felt really good behind the plate.”

The left-hand hitting Basallo grounded to first in the first, struck out in the fourth and singled in the fifth.

“I feel like I’m learning a lot,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been able to mature a lot, being able to look at the game a different way this spring. I think it also helps that I’ve been able to hit and play defense this spring.”

Last spring, Basallo wasn’t able to catch because of a stress fracture in his left elbow. He did take some at-bats as a designated hitter.

“I feel like last spring I felt a lot of limitations, not being able to work on everything,” Basallo said. “This spring I feel like I’ve been able to work a lot more on my defense, a lot more on those specific details, so it’s been nice.”

It was the first time Hyde had seen Basallo behind the plate.

“It’s fun to watch him catch,” Hyde said about the 6-foot-4 catcher. “It’s a big target. He hit a couple of balls hard. I thought he did a great job for his first start in a big league spring training game.”

Cade Povich pitched two hitless innings and struck out one. Garrett Stubbs, who reached on an error by first baseman Emmanuel Rivera, was the only baserunner.

“First game, playing out there, I’m not trying to overdo anything,” Povich said. “Command the zone, work on a pitch mix. It was good to see a good mix of right and left-handed hitters] today.”

Povich said working with Basallo was easy.

“He’s been great. I’ve gotten to throw a few bullpens, a few lives to him. Very impressed with his framing,” he said. “I think even his pitch calling. For the most part we were pretty on page with what I wanted to throw, and I think that’s going to come with reps to where we’re more on the page. For the few times he’s caught me so far, I’m really impressed with his stuff.”

After working on the backfields and in an empty Ed Smith Stadium, Povich enjoyed pitching in front of a lively ballpark, but he said he didn’t try to “amp up or do too much.”

“That’s why the focus for me today was just to take it easy, command and not really try to do overdo anything,” he said.

Povich will change his approach as he builds up.

“Increased innings, as I face probably more righties throughout the spring, I’ll probably be able to work on more stuff as well,” he said. “I don’t think I threw a curveball today, would have liked to have mixed in a couple more changeups as well. As spring continues and I’m going more innings, I’ll be able to work on some of that stuff, and outing by outing, just increasing the intensity while keeping the kind of control I had there today.”

Hyde liked what he saw from Povich.

“He came to camp ready to go,” he said. “Showed really good stuff today. I was impressed. The changeup has come a long way. That’s continuing to improve. He has good life to his fastball and good offspeed stuff.”

Vimael Machin had three hits, including a home run. Coby Mayo and Jordyn Adams drove in two runs. Brandon Young pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits. Minor league right-hander Kyle Brnovich pitched two scoreless innings, striking out four.

What’s up with? Emmanuel Rivera was a nice surprise for the Orioles last season, hitting .313 with a .948 OPS, four home runs and 14 RBIs in 27 games.

In Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener, Rivera hit a two-run home run. On Sunday, Rivera was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

‘’Trying to continue to do when I got here last year, and remain with that consistency going forward,” Rivera said through a translator. “I was obviously very happy with that. Not just because of my performance but because I was able to help the team win. I’m hoping to continue to do that this year with whatever opportunity I’m given.”

Rivera was removed from the roster on January 31^st and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk on February 7^th.

“As a baseball player, it’s not my mentality to think about those things,” Rivera said. “My job is to come here and work hard and try to do what I can to help this team win. In baseball, you can expect just about anything. That’s just the way it was, and I come here with the same mentality, to help the team win. I’m happy to be here now.”

What’s what? The Orioles have Robinson Chirinos, a longtime major league catcher, at their bench coach, and Tim Cossins, who’s an excellent catching instructor. Hyde was a minor league catcher and occasionally works with catchers and with Cossins.

“Robbie’s involved a little bit, also,” Hyde said. “It’s the first position I notice. Me and Tim have constant conversations. If it’s something that sticks out for me. I’ll approach a player about it.”

What’s the word? “We’re waiting and seeing coming off Tommy John. First year back. Some guys get there. Some guys don’t.”-Hyde on whether Bautista will regain the velocity from his dominant 2023 season.

What’s the number? 2. Povich and Young combined to allow two hits in five innings.

What’s the record? 1-1. The Orioles will play the Atlanta Braves on Monday at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.