Final Score: 8-7 Orioles

Full disclosure: I’m a Red Sox fan.

Finished only a year ago, JetBlue Park is a miniaturized version of a newer, slicker Fenway. In left, the Green Monster is horizontally divided into two parts, creating two different levels of seating. Though the field still sports the infamous “triangle” in center field and Pesky’s Pole in right, comfortable plastic seats have replaced the rickety wooden bleachers. The concourse of JetBlue is modern and spacious, but lacking in the distinctive green and brick colors of Fenway. From the exterior, the differences are even more evident. The outside of the stadium is a brilliant white, and artfully disorganized plates cover the edges of the stands. Without the crowded streets of Boston, there’s also more room for pretty landscaping and the occasional statue. The charm of the stadium, however, lies not only in the idea of an improved Fenway, but also in Boston’s dedicated fans, who showed up in droves to watch the divisional match-up against the O’s.

The most interesting numbers of the day belonged to Daniel Bard. Bard, pitching an inning in relief for Boston, let up 3 earned runs, with 1 BB, 1 HBP, and 1 balk that resulted in a run. Last season, he compiled an ERA above 6.00 in 91 innings between AAA Pawtucket and the majors, but had not allowed a run in this year’s spring training until today. On a different note, Jackie Bradley Jr. went 1 for 2 with a single against the Orioles, extending his already excellent spring training. Bradley is tied for the highest OBP among all players this spring, and may possibly get a spot on the Opening Day roster (especially with the injury to David Ortiz), despite the fact that he had fewer than 300 plate appearances in AA last year.

For the Orioles, Brian Roberts, age 35, went 1 for 3 batting from the leadoff spot. Roberts has been accumulating injuries over the last three seasons (concussion, hip labrum tear, etc.), meaning that his plate appearances declined from 717 in 2009 to almost a tenth of that in 2012. Roberts has certainly not gotten younger or faster over that time, but has managed to keep up a .874 OPS this spring. At the same time as they expressed confidence in Roberts, the Orioles also picked up defense-oriented Alexi Casilla off waivers and traded for Yamaico Navarro. Casilla and Navarro, along with Ryan Flaherty, have all had modestly good spring training seasons, with Flaherty offensively edging out the other two (and Roberts himself, in some stats). If Roberts has another injury-filled or lackluster season, the Orioles have plenty of insurance waiting in the wings.

3/20: I unfortunately have to head back to the east coast, where I’ll be going to the Nats-Marlins game at Roger Dean Stadium.