Jones' 2 HRs Not Enough; O's Lose 8-6 To Cards
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- John Lackey worked into the fifth inning in his second spring start, allowing four runs as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-6 Sunday.
Adam Jones homered twice for Baltimore, driving in four runs and Manny Machado hit a solo home run.
Jones hit a three-run homer in the fifth off Mitch Wilson. He also homered in the fourth off Lackey. The center fielder has three home runs this spring. Machado homered and doubled against Lackey.
Manager Mike Matheny is allowing Lackey to work his way into form, but did take him on a cross state road trip.
"All things considered, I felt pretty good. Being 36 and riding 3 1/2 hours on a bus," Lackey said.
Lackey wasn't concerned about pitching to the Orioles, against whom he has started 27 times in the regular season.
"There are a couple of times I would have thrown totally different pitches if it was a regular game," Lackey said.
"They have some good hitters and some good power, but it was obvious, I was throwing fastballs. I'm not overly concerned about results right now."
Matheny rarely visits the mound without removing a pitcher, but he did this time. Just before Machado's double, he let Lackey convince him he should stay in.
"I was planning on it until I caught eyes with him. I could see he wanted to talk about it, at least," Matheny said. "I said that's fine, it's your last hitter, though. He said `that sounds good."'
Bud Norris allowed three runs - one of them unearned in four innings. Matt Adams hit a long two-run home run to center field in the third.
Randal Grichuk hit a two run homer in the ninth off Chaz Roe to key a three-run Cardinals ninth.
TRAINER'S ROOM:
Orioles: There's a spirited contest for the backup catcher's job with Matt Wieters likely to begin the season on the disabled list.
Caleb Joseph is considered the favorite to start. J.P. Arencibia, Steve Clevenger and Ryan Lavarnway, all of whom have major league experience, are also in camp.
Showalter said that offense is important, but defense is more vital.
"I think we've got the potential to get both of that. The first criteria they have to satisfy is the defensive part of it," Showalter said.
RHP Hunter Harvey, the team's No. 1 draft choice in 2013, was hit by a comebacker in a minor league game on Saturday and suffered a slight fracture in his fibula. He's expected to be out four-to-six weeks.
STARTING TIME:
Cardinals: LHP Jaime Garcia will throw a simulated game on Tuesday, which is the second scheduled open date of the spring for St. Louis.
Orioles: Norris has allowed 13 runs in 11 2-3 innings.
"I wanted to see a little bit better results today. I was kinda upset with myself," Norris said. "Obviously getting home and pitching in front of the fans in Baltimore is going to be great, but it's a big league game for a reason. I'm going to get there. I'm not that worried. I just want to get there."
UP NEXT:
Cardinals: RHP Lance Lynn starts against Boston RHP Rick Porcello on Monday in Fort Myers. Lynn, who has been slowed by a hip injury, has pitched just one inning this spring.
Orioles: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez pitches against Pittsburgh RHP Radhames Liz on Tuesday in Bradenton. The Orioles have their only day off of the spring on Monday.
(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
