Erik Bedard pitched four good innings, allowing a run on four hits, but the O's fell to the Dodgers, 4-2. Hayden Penn took the loss, surrendering two earned in two innings on four hits.
Brett Tomko (the starter) and Joe Mays (the winner) gave the Dodgers six strong innings, allowing two hits apiece. Tomko gave up a run. The two veterans are competing for a spot at the end of the Dodger rotation.
Freddie Lee Bynum went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored out of the leadoff spot, and Mike Cervenak hit a pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning off of Jonathan Meloan. Payton and Gomez also had one hit each, but that was all the Orioles could muster.
Perlozzo is still holding off an announcement that will name Bedard as the starter for Opening Day against Johan Santana and the Twins, but it's all but official. Sam is waiting to go through the rotation one more time with everyone healthy, which may be a wise move, if you're a voodoo sort.
One of Bynum's doubles came when former Oriole Larry Bigbie lost a ball in the sun in left field.
The next five spring games: @ Florida, v. Florida, @ Minnesota, v. Minnesota, home with the Mets.
There is some scuttlebutt that Adam Donachie may wind up winning the backup catcher's job, having impressed with his defensive capabilities (which have always been highly regarded, as he has a super arm), which would be nice. Donachie is no world-beater, but he likely beats Bako in everything except for batting left-handed, but Bako is so abysmal at the plate that nothing gives him any sort of advantage on any pitcher. If the pitcher yelled "CURVE BALL!" to Bako, I'd still expect a pop out.