Quick Impressions from Thursday

The Orioles this afternoon were handed their first loss in Grapefruit League action as they were beat by the Minnesota Twins, 2-0.

Lefty Brian Matusz was solid on the afternoon as he went two innings, struck out two and didn’t allow a hit to the Twins. After the game, it was revealed that Matusz will need a wart removed from his middle finger on his left hand and may miss his next scheduled Grapefruit League start.

The bullpen held its own until the eighth inning when Chroye Spoone coughed up two runs to Minnesota in the frame and decided the game right then and there.

They got scoreless innings from Kevin Gregg, Jeremy Accardo, Adrian Rosario, Josh Rupe, Wynn Pelzer and Clay Rapada.

Many of the Oriole projected regulars for 2011 were in the lineup; however, Josh Bell played first base on the afternoon. He looked decent at first and I wonder if the organization is trying to get him to be more versatile. For now, I assume he’ll be playing third if he is slotted for Norfolk. In other news, Derrek Lee was taking BP and working out at first base today. He should be ready to play on Saturday -- well targeted to do so...

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