Orioles top Tides in exhibition at Harbor Park

Matt Wieters belted a three-run home run to power the Baltimore Orioles to a 4-3 win over the Tides in front of 10,156 fans Saturday afternoon at Harbor Park. 

After Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz opened the second inning with consecutive singles off of Tides starter Zach Davies, Wieters lofted a three-run shot through the wind and into the right field bullpen to put the Orioles on the board. The home run was the first of the spring for Wieters, who appeared in 39 games with the Tides in 2009 as he progressed through the Orioles system. 

Ryan Flaherty added an RBI single for the O's, who open their regular season on Monday afternoon against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. 

Julio Borbon had two hits and an RBI to lead the Tides offense, while Quintin Berry added two singles and a run scored. Berry also made an outstanding leaping catch against the left field wall in the fourth inning to deny Wieters of an extra-base hit. 

Suk-min Yoon, who is slated to open the season with Norfolk, started for Baltimore and allowed two runs on four hits in 4.0 innings of work. 

The game was called in the sixth inning after consistent rain made the field unplayable. However, as a thank you to the fans who braved the rain Saturday, fans can exchange their ticket from Saturday's game for a free ticket to any Monday-Thursday game during the month of April. 

Notes: The exhibition game was the fourth time the O's have played in Norfolk since the Tides became their top affiliate in 2007...After the game, the Orioles optioned RHP Kevin Gausman, LHP T.J. McFarland and IF Jemile Weeks to Norfolk...The Tides open their regular season Thursday night at Harbor Park with a 7:05 contest against division rival Charlotte...After a workout Monday, the Tides will host Norfolk State University in a seven-inning exhibition game Tuesday night at 5:30 pm.