Highlights and lowlights from the Orioles' 5-4 loss to the Florida Marlins in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
UP -- Harold Baines: Had been 0-for-7 this spring until a two-run homer to right. Also doubled in a run in the fifth.
UP -- Jeff Reboulet: Just starting two straight games would have been sufficient, but he also singled and made a couple nice fielding plays.
DOWN -- Danny Clyburn: Might want to pick up the pace a little in left field.
DOWN -- Rocky Coppinger: Survived yesterday's cuts but must keep the ball in the park. Another one was launched.
DOWN -- Heathcliff Slocumb: Took it on the chin by allowing a tie-breaking homer in the eighth.
UP -- Mike Bordick: Hitting second again, he reached base three times and scored a run. His batting average is up to .458.
The bats
The Orioles scored twice in the first on Baines' homer, and twice in the fifth on his RBI double and a run-scoring single by Willis Otanez. Otherwise, it was nothing but blanks. The Orioles finished with 10 hits, including two each by Bordick and Baines. Jerry Hairston doubled to left and is 5-for-13 with a club-leading four doubles.
The arms
Juan Guzman didn't show the same form that had produced seven scoreless innings over two appearances, but he called the day a success because he worked on "everything." Besides, he had wanted to pitch out of the stretch anyway, and with only two hits allowed before yesterday, there weren't many opportunities. The Marlins reached him for eight hits and three runs (two earned) in five innings. His throwing error in the fifth didn't help. Coppinger's first pitch in the sixth was drilled over the left-field fence by Kevin Millar. Ricky Bones allowed a hit and walk in the seventh without the Marlins scoring. Slocumb fell to 0-2 after surrendering a two-out homer to Dave Berg in the eighth. Arthur Rhodes stopped experimenting, stopped pressing and didn't allow a run in the ninth. But the Marlins got him in some trouble with a one-out single and walk.
The rest
A fastball from Guzman nailed Millar on the helmet leading off the second inning. Millar rose quickly and trotted to first. Johnson threw out Craig Counsell trying to steal in the third. Counsell got a good jump and still had no chance. The Orioles have lost six of seven and are 5-7-1.
Quote of the day
"I wanted to get their focus toward Rochester now so they can go down and have a couple weeks to get settled and get off to a good start. I think it's real important to get good young players out and get them ready for their minor-league season rather than spend a lot of time here because they're not going to make this club." -- General manager Frank Wren, on the decision to option Ryan Minor and Calvin Pickering after yesterday's game.
Pub Date: 3/19/99