Burnes pitches efficiently in Orioles’ 3-2 win over Blue Jays; Wells’ post-fireworks show

SARASOTA, Florida-What’s happening?—Peter Angelos, who owned the Orioles for more than 30 years, died on Saturday at 94. Burial will be private.

Grayson Rodriguez will start the final Orioles’ Grapefruit League game on Sunday against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium at 1:05 p.m.

Rodriguez has a 3.86 earned-run average in four starts, allowing five runs on 14 hits in 11 2/3 innings. He’s walked two and struck out seven. He’ll be followed by Cole Irvin, who’s allowed 10 runs on 10 hits with nine walks in his last 7 1/3  innings. His overall ERA is 7.30.

“We have to creative toward the end of spring,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “It’s more getting them on the mound one last time against hitters before they make their starts.”

Rodriguez and Irvin will each throw three or four innings.

The game will be broadcast on WBAL/98 Rock with Geoff Arnold and Brett Hollander.

Minnesota will start Joe Ryan who will be followed by Brock Stewart, Jorge Alcala and Steven Okert.

Hyde said he wasn’t sure if the Orioles would make any cuts to their roster, which is currently at 38, on Sunday.

“We have until Opening Day to figure some things out,” Hyde said.

Lef-handed pitcher Andrew Suárez has left camp, but the Orioles haven’t made an announcement on his future. His locker was empty, and Hyde said he was “in a little bit of limbo. We’re holding off on him, waiting to say what happens.”

What’s happened? Corbin Burnes allowed two runs, one unearned, in 5 1/3 innings in his final start before Opening Day as an Orioles’ split squad beat a Toronto Blue Jays split squad, 3-2, before 7,210 at Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday night.

Burnes, who was supposed to start in Friday night’s game that was canceled by rain, gave up five hits and struck out four in 57 pitches, 44 strikes. His throwing error in the fifth led to Toronto’s first run. It was his third error on errant pickoff throws in his last two games.

“I’m in a great spot,” Burnes said. “We got to try a couple of things that we don’t normally do, which is great. I’m happy where everything is at. Pitch count-wise, I had to come down here and throw in the bullpen because we were getting such early contact and quick outs.”

Burnes ends the spring with an ERA of 6.75, and now it’s on to next Thursday and the Los Angeles Angels.

“Tomorrow will be the start of it, so I’ve got four days to game plan and scouting report,” Burnes said. “I’ve faced them a couple of times in my career. It’s a group that’s got some veteran guys that are good players and some young guys that I haven’t faced before. Looking forward to digging in and doing my homework and being ready for them.”

Tyler Wells, who’ll start the third game of the season on March 31^st, pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits, walking one and striking out four. He had a 1.26 ERA.

Wells was so efficient that he threw live batting practice on the field after the game and postgame fireworks as several hundred fans remained to watch. Minor league first baseman TT Bowens homered against him.

“It was a fun way to wrap up a camp,” Wells said. “It’s weird. It’s interesting. We had to get our work in. I had to get up to a certain pitch count before we head off to Baltimore. That was our best way of getting it in. It’s not the most ideal, but in spring training, when is ever anything ever ideal.

“It’s enjoying the nuances of spring training. I’m not going to get that, most likely ever again in my career.”

The Orioles scored two runs in the fourth on Anthony Santander’s infield out and Ryan Mountcastle sacrifice fly. Santander hit his fifth home run of the spring in the sixth inning.

Austin Hays left the game with a bruised right shoulder after he was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning.

“It got him in a weird spot where it got sore quick,” Hyde said. “I’m hoping it’s fine, and I’m hoping it’s day-to-day.”

Hays who missed time last week because of illness has only a .154 average this spring.

“He’s had an interrupted camp,” Hyde said. “That’s why he was trying to stay in there because he wanted the at-bats. Hopefully, he’s able to go tomorrow to get two or three at-bats. We’ll see. If not, we’re going to try to make some at-bats up for him with workouts at Camden Yards.”

The Orioles are planning a workout in Sarasota on Monday morning, and the open practice on Tuesday night in Baltimore.

James McCann, who hadn’t played since March 17^th because of back tightness, caught Wells. Adley Rutschman caught Burnes and left the game with him.

Julio Teheran, who has opted out of his minor league contract, allowed one hit in four scoreless innings as the Orioles’ split-squad beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 6-4, at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.

Teheran allowed two walks and struck out three.

Chayce McDermott, who was brought in from minor league camp, gave up three runs on six hits in four innings, striking out five and walking one.

Kolten Wong, who also opted out of his minor league contract, hit his first home run of the spring. Outfielder Colton Cowser hit a two-run home run, his sixth. Third baseman Coby Mayo had three hits, and catcher Maverick Handley drove in two runs.

What’s up with?—Jorge Mateo started at second base and went 1-for-3. Mateo has played some shortstop and all three outfield positions during spring training.

“It just feels really good because it provides another opportunity for me to be out there on the field and play regardless of the fact that I don’t have a set position,” Mateo said through a translator.

Mateo feels comfortable despite limited time in the outfield.

“I feel really good. I think I’ve only played about three games out there,” he said. “I feel really comfortable out there.”

Mateo believes the 2024 Orioles are going to be formidable.

“Really, really good. I think we have a lot of talented prospects,” he said. “We have a really good squad here and a lot of talent. I think all the things together make a really good team.”

What’s what-One of the things that Peter Angelos accomplished, which has been overlooked, was negotiating the move from their substandard training facilities in Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota in 2010. Their better facilities here have helped make the team more attractive and increased tourism to Sarasota.

What’s the word? “We just feel he needs a little more time at Triple-A. He had a great spring, did everything right, played extremely well.”-Hyde on Jackson Holliday’s demotion.

What’s the number? 22. The Orioles’ 22 wins this spring are a team record. The previous record was 20 in 2002.

 What’s the record? 22-6-2. The Orioles will conclude the Grapefruit League season against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.