BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Baltimore Orioles right-hander Brad Bergesen, eager to put last season’s struggles behind him, tossed two solid innings Monday in a 6-4 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Bergesen faced seven batters, allowed one hit and got two strikeouts. His performance in the Orioles’ spring training opener was a good step toward locking up a spot in the starting rotation.
A rookie standout in 2009, Bergesen last year was hampered by injuries to his shin and shoulder. He was twice sent to the minors and only began to hit his stride in September.
Left-hander Paul Maholm, already assured of a job in the rotation, started for the Pirates. Maholm worked two innings and gave up two runs on four hits.
