SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Matt Wisler pitched into the sixth inning in his longest start of the spring, allowing three runs on three hits as the Atlanta Braves played the Baltimore Orioles to a 4-4, 10-inning tie Tuesday night.
Wisler gave up a lead-off home run to Manny Machado in the first, his fifth of the spring, and Matt Wieters hit his first homer in the third. Wisler was removed after Adam Jones started the sixth with a double. He later scored.
"As the game went on, I got more aggressive with my slider, better bite to it, sharper, tougher to see out of the hand. As the game went on it felt a lot better," Wisler said.
Miguel Gonzalez allowed one run on seven hits in five innings. Gonzalez is contending for a spot in the Orioles rotation, and his Grapefruit League ERA fell from 12.56 to 9.78.
Jeff Francoeur was 1 for 3. He found out Tuesday he had earned a place on Atlanta's opening day roster.
STARTING TIME:
Braves: This was the first time Wisler pitched past the fourth inning.
"The fourth and fifth inning was probably the best I've thrown all spring, so to have that kind of feel right now, I'm happy with it," Wisler said. "Just try to keep that kind of consistency going forward, staying aggressive with everything."
Orioles: Gonzalez was pleased with his outing.
"I know it's toward the end and I wanted to get a good outing just to feel better and mentally and overall," Gonzalez said.
OPENER UPCOMING
RHP Chris Tillman is excited about being the first Baltimore pitcher to get three consecutive opening day starts since Mike Mussina from 1998-2000.
"It's not something that you can take lightly, I don't think," Tillman said. "I don't any of these for granted, just like any of our guys wouldn't. I take a lot of pride in my day, getting the ball every fifth day, and especially this one."
TRAINER'S ROOM:
Orioles: RHP Kevin Gausman isn't surprised that his right shoulder tendinitis will send him to the disabled list to start the season.
"I kind of saw this coming," Gausman said. "I knew I wasn't going to be ready by opening day, so I wasn't really surprised. Obviously, I didn't want to start the season on the DL, but I'd rather get it fixed than go into the season worried about something."
Wieters was in the lineup to catch seven innings for the first time since his sore right elbow forced him from a game on March 12.
"I've felt comfortable with the arm to where it's good enough to be able to go out there and play in a big league game," Wieters said.
UP NEXT:
Braves: RHP Julio Teheran, who is Atlanta's Opening Day starter, pitches against Yankees RHP Ivan Nova as the Braves host New York.
Orioles: Tillman starts against Detroit RHP Shane Greene in Sarasota.
ROSTER DOINGS: South Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim won't start the season with Baltimore.
Kim, who signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Orioles last December, must agree to any minor league assignment.
"Yes, it looks like he's not going to be on the 25-man roster to start the season," Orioles executive Dan Duquette said Tuesday.
Baltimore optioned OF Dariel Alvarez to Triple-A Norfolk.
The Orioles also traded LHP Chris Jones to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday for a pair of minor leaguers.
