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Rainer Sabin

Join Virginian-Pilot sportswriter Rainer Sabin at Harbor Park for this afternoon's exhibition game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals.

Orioles win 6-3

Baltimore defeated Washington 6-3. Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara picked up the victory, throwing six innings and giving up two earned runs.

"He can do whatever he wants with the baseball," Orioles catcher Chad Moeller said. "It looked like he didn't break a sweat."

In a ballpark that is usually unfriendly to power hitters, three players -- Baltimore's Nick markakis and Washington's Ryan Zimmerman and Lastings Milledge -- all hit home runs -- giving the 11,183 people in attendance something to applaud on this balmy, breezy afternoon.

 

Koji Uehara of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the exhibition game against the Washington Nationals held Friday, April 3, at Harbor Park in Norfolk. (L. Todd Spencer | The Virginian-Pilot)

 

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Water pressure problems at Harbor Park

Parking? Check. Weather? Check. Water flow? Ummm....no. The water pressure at Harbor Park is low and it's created all sorts of problems at Harbor Park for spectators wanting to go to the bathroom, according to Tides general manager Dave Rosenfield.

The announced attendance was 11,883 -- perhaps the biggest crowd expected to attend a game at Harbor Park this season. Ken Young, the owner of the Norfolk Tides, said the city was in the process of fixing the problem.

Editor's note: Were you at the game? Tell us about the bathroom problem in the comments below.

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Roberts returns and goes gapping

In his first game back since playing in the World Baseball Classic last month, Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts smacked a two-run triple into the gap in right-centerfield during the fourth inning as Baltimore pushed ahead 5-2. Roberts has battled back spasms and a respiratory ailment during spring training. But he is expected to be ready for Opening Day. 

Before Friday, Roberts last played March 14. He hit .296 with nine home runs last season.

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Zimmerman makes his mark, hits home run

Ryan Zimmerman just smacked a home run to left field, curling it around the foul pole. The Virginia Beach native said before the game that he was excited to play in front of his friends and family today. He just gave them something to cheer about when he turned on Koji Uehara's pitch.

Zimmerman had a small tear in the anterior labrum of his left shoulder last year and played in only 106 games. Earlier this afternoon, he said his main priority is to stay healthy this season as the Nats try to bounce back from a season in which they suffered 99 losses.

The Orioles and Nats are tied 2-2 entering the bottom half of the fourth inning.

 

Kellam High grad Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals goes back from third to cover a fly ball during the exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, April 3, at Harbor Park in Norfolk. (L. Todd Spencer | The Virginian-Pilot)

 

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Zimmerman makes appearance ... Markakis goes deep

Former Kellam star Ryan Zimmerman received a nice ovation when he came to bat in the first inning before flying out to center field.

Later in the inning, Nick Markakis crushed a two-run home run ro right-centerfield -- somehow managing to hit it over the fence against a stiff crosswind blowing from the Elizabeth River.

Except for a section in wing of the upper deck along the third-base line, the stands are filled.

 

Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals signs autographs before the start of his team's exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, April 3, at Harbor Park in Norfolk. (L. Todd Spencer | The Virginian-Pilot)

 

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Welcome to the Orioles-Nationals exhibition live blog

We're here at Harbor Park on this warm, breezy afternoon for the exhibition game between the Orioles and Nationals. The opportunity to see major leaguers in action in South Hampton Roads has brought thousands of fans to the ballpark today. The Nationals will start Daniel Cabrera -- a familiar name for Orioles fans.

Cabrera spent his first five seasons with Baltimore, who will start Japanese righthander Koji Uehara. Uehara has a contingent of Japanese media following his every move and they have flocked to Norfolk to watch him pitch.

Fans watch the exhibition game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals on Friday, April 3, from the new party deck in right field at Harbor Park. (L. Todd Spencer | The Virginian-Pilot)

 

Starting Lineups:

Washington

1. Lastings Milledge, cf

2. Nick Johnson, 1b

3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3b

4. Adam Dunn, dh

5. Josh Willingham, lf

6. Elijah Dukes, rf

7. Jesus Flores, c

8. Willie Harris, 2b

9. Alberto Gonzalez, ss

 

Baltimore

1. Brian Roberts, 2b

2. Adam Jones, cf

3. Nick Markakis, rf

4. Aubrey Huff, 1b

5. Melvin Mora, 3b

6. Ty Wigginton, dh

7. Ryan Freel, lf

8. Cesar Izturis, ss

9. Chad Moeller, c

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Oscar Smith 10, Oakton 7 -- Final

Oscar Smith has done it. The Tigers are moving on to the Group AAA Division 6 state championship game in Blacksburg next Saturday.

The Tigers overcame a seven-point halftime deficit. Ryan Trotman connected on a 24-yard field goal with 1:27 left in the game to give Oscar Smith the lead. The Tigers secured the victory when Oakton quarterback Ryan Harris' pass intended for Trey Watts was ruled incomplete.

 

 

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Oscar Smith 10, Oakton 7

Oscar Smith just took the lead. The unlikely hero? Kicker Ryan Trotman, who connected on a 24-yard field goal with 1:27 left in the game. The Tigers moved the ball 74 yards on nine plays. The drive lasted 2:34. The big play happened when Oscar Smith quarterback Phillips Sims connected with wide receiver Tim Smith on a 47-yard pas play. Smith was tackled at Oakton's 5-yard line.

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Oscar Smith 7, Oakton 7 -- 4:01 left in fourth quarter

Oakton appeared to ready to take the lead as the Cougars were driving deep into Oscar Smith territory. But a bad exchange between quarterback Ryan Harris and running back Trey Watts resulted in a fumble that Tigers defensive lineman Corey Steward recovered at Oscar Smith's 18-yard line. The home crowd, which had been quite loud, fell silent.

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Oscar Smith 7, Oakton 7 -- 6:39 left in fourth quarter

Another Oakton drive stalled -- this time at the Oscar Smith 37-yard line when Ryan Harris' pass floated incomplete. Oscar Smith grabbed the ensuing punt at its own 10-yard line.

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