Major League Baseball

Marlins 13, Orioles 2

Published Apr. 1, 2009 10:06 p.m. ET

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Jeremy Guthrie has been anointed the ace of the Baltimore Orioles this season. They're still waiting for him to start pitching like one. Guthrie got knocked around again Wednesday, allowing eight runs and 10 hits over four innings in a 13-2 loss to the Florida Marlins. Jorge Cantu doubled, homered and collected three RBIs against Guthrie. Hanley Ramirez and John Baker each had two hits and two RBIs through the fourth inning. Baker added a run-scoring single off Danys Baez in the fifth after Cameron Maybin doubled in two runs. Nick Markakis homered for the Orioles in the bottom half after the Marlins had taken a double-digit lead. Florida first baseman Wes Helms hit a solo homer off reliever Jim Johnson in the sixth. Selected to pitch on opening day for a second straight year, Guthrie has surrendered 18 runs and 24 hits in 15 1-3 innings this spring. He left the club to pitch for Team USA after tossing three scoreless innings in his debut, and has labored in three starts since his return. In two appearances in the World Baseball Classic, Guthrie allowed 10 runs (eight earned) and 14 hits in 3 2-3 innings. That's a combined 12.32 ERA this spring. "There should be concern. I haven't gotten anybody out," he said. "Execution-wise, I've actually been relatively pleased. I just can't seem to get any breaks. Some good pitches are being hit. If people want to be concerned, they can. I personally don't get worried about it, but to say you can't be concerned would be ignoring the numbers." The next time Guthrie takes the mound will be in Monday's opener against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. Asked if he's ready for the season to start, Guthrie said, "I'd like to be in a better spot. I'd like to have done better, I'd like to have gotten a few more innings and gotten my pitch count up higher. But as far as my pitches, I feel as close as I've ever felt in any other spring. I think it's just a matter of getting my confidence, getting going and getting people out consistently." Marlins starter William Glen allowed one run and six hits in four innings. Ricky Nolasco, slated to be Florida's opening-day starter, was supposed to pitch Wednesday, but the club decided to hold him back to reduce his workload. Baker went 3-for-5, scored twice and had three RBIs. "I think it's just staying with my approach, trying to get deeper in the count and try to get a pitch to hit," he said. "No different than the game the other day when I went 0-for-3. I just happened to get some balls up that I could hit."

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