NOT GREAT BUT BETTER

Orioles starter Adam Loewen believed he pitched much better than the results indicated. Whether it was true or not, there was no disputing that the young left-hander was far sharper than he was in his first exhibition start last week. Loewen allowed an unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings. The Orioles had hoped Loewen could get through three innings, but his pitch count was at 44 after two innings and the Orioles took no chances with the pitcher, who is trying to make a comeback from elbow surgery. "Loewen was much improved," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "Better velocity, and his breaking pitch was sharper. Good result for him."

MORA'S HOT START

Third baseman Melvin Mora showed up at spring training vowing that he felt as strong as a bull and predicting that he will hit 40 homers and drive in 200 runs this season. We think he was kidding. Nonetheless, the veteran is off to a great start this spring, hitting the ball with authority on pretty much every swing. Mora was 3-for-3 yesterday with a home run, a double, four RBIs, three runs and a walk. He is batting .583 with a team-leading seven RBIs in Grapefruit League play. On Mora's second-inning two-run homer, he hit the ball so well that Cardinals left fielder Joe Mather barely turned around. "His batting practice has been about as good as it gets," Trembley said. "Boy, he's hitting the ball on the barrel right now."

EVERYBODY HITS

The Orioles pounded out 16 hits, and every starter recorded a hit, scored a run or drove in a run except right fielder Luis Terrero, who was starting in place of Nick Markakis. Mora provided the most noise, but first-year Orioles outfielders Adam Jones and Luke Scott combined to go 6-for-7. Jay Gibbons and Kevin Millar had two hits each, with Gibbons dropping in two RBI singles. He entered the game without a hit in his first eight at-bats this spring. Millar, Brian Roberts, Brandon Fahey and Ramon Hernandez also had RBIs.

ON DECK

The Orioles face the Florida Marlins for the third time this spring today at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Steve Trachsel, who pitched two scoreless innings in his exhibition season debut, starts for the Orioles. George Sherrill, Chad Bradford and Jamie Walker are also scheduled to pitch for the Orioles. The Orioles are 1-1 against the Marlins this spring. They play them seven times.