Ponson's 4th

Fourth inning:
Walk, 6-4-3 double play, a great catch by Bartlett on a blooper.
That will be all for Ponson -- one run (earned) on three hits, two strikeouts and one walk.
Matt Garza's warming up in the bullpen. I'll let you know how he does after the game.

Ponson's 3rd

In the third:
Batter reached on a fielding error by Bartlett; batter reached on fielder's choice, runner out at second; runner stole second; double on deep fly ball to left, runner scored; strikeout swinging (that was Miguel Tejada).
Score: 1-1

Ponson update

Sidney Ponson in the second inning:

Grounder that bounced over Jason Bartlett's head behind second base for a single; fielder's choice grounder to Castillo, runner out at second; ground ball into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Ponson on the mound

Sorry it's taken me so long to post today. I'll get right to Ponson, since I'm sure that's what you're all waiting for ...

First inning: Strikeout on foul tip; fly out to left center; batter reached on what was credited as an infield error by Luis Castillo, but looked like an error by first baseman Garrett Jones; line-drive single to left; and a popup to Castillo to end the inning.

I'll keep you posted ...

Ortiz has strong outing

The Twins struggled in the first inning, committing two infield errors that allowed two runs to score. Ramon Ortiz gave up two hits and two unearned runs before retiring the side in order in the second, third and fourth.

Ortiz's line: 4 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs (unearned), 1 walk, four strikeouts.

Michael Cuddyer hit his second home run of the spring to make it 2-1, Orioles.

Pitchers moving

Minor league spring training games start today, and Joe Nathan and Jesse Crain went to minor league camp to pitch in order to open up innings for younger pitchers at Twins camp. Gardenhire said Matt Guerrier and Dennys Reyes will go down on Saturday, followed by Pat Neshek and Juan Rincon on Sunday.

Nathan threw one inning, striking out three. Crain threw one inning, with two hits, one strikeout and a pickoff.

Lineups and such ...

Ramon Ortiz gets the start today, with Glen Perkins to follow. If Perkins has another strong outing this afternoon, he'll continue to challenge Matt Garza and Sidney Ponson (manager Ron Gardenhire said he's still happy with how Ponson is working and that they're giving him time to get going because he's a veteran) for the fifth spot in the Twins rotation.

Talked to Rondell White this morning. He had an elastic wrap on his knee. He said he's pretty sore, but expects to be back in a couple days. He was hit by a pitch in the same spot in 1995 and said it didn't take long to recover from that.

Check back for updates on Ortiz's and Perkins' outings. Until then, here are today's Twins/Orioles lineups. So early in the morning, I know!

Minnesota
Jeff Cirillo, DH
Nick Punto, 3B
Mike Redmond, C
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Justin Morneau, 1B
Torii Hunter, CF
Josh Rabe, LF
Tommy Watkins, 2B
Alexi Casilla, SS
Ramon Ortiz, P

Baltimore
Adam Stern, CF
Chris Gomez, SS
Nick Markakis, DH
Aubrey Huff, 1B
Jay Payton, RF
Terry Tiffee, 3B
Jason DuBois, LF
Freddie Bynum, 2B
Adam Donachie, C
Adam Loewen, P