BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Cuban All-Stars became the latest team
to pound on Baltimore Orioles pitching, banging out 18 hits en
route to an easy 12-6 victory in the second half of an historic
home-and-home exhibition series.

Following a 56-minute rain delay, the Orioles opened the scoring
in the first on Harold Baines' two-run double but the Cuban
All-Stars took the lead for good with four runs in the second
off starter Scott Kamieniecki, who is on the disabled list with
a hamstring injury.

"They did what they had to do, give them credit," Kamieniecki
said.  "I didn't handle it very well.  We played them for real,
the game meant more for them."

"The worst thing that can happen to a pitcher on rehab happened,
a rain delay, especially in an exhibition," Orioles manager Ray
Miller said.  "We had him throwing every 10 minutes but he just
didn't have it when he came back.

"They wanted it much more than we did.  My hat is off to them.
They put a bunch of hits on the board."

Danel Castro, who went 4-for-5 and scored four times, had a
two-run triple and first baseman Calvin Pickering committed one
of his three errors to lead to another run.

Omar Linares reached safely all six times he came to the plate,
going 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two walks.

"They made some adjustments from the last game.  They play all
year round," Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick said.  "Right now,
we have to stay focused on the season and forget about this and
think about Chicago tomorrow, that's more important."

Norge Vera entered in the third inning and held the Orioles
without a hit until the ninth.  He retired 20 of 22 batters
before allowing Delino DeShields' three-run homer in the final
inning.

The Cubans tacked on five runs in the ninth against rookie Gabe
Molina, highlighted by Andy Morales' three-run homer.  Morales
did not hide his excitement as he rounded the bases, raising his
arms and pumping his fists.

"It can irritate you if you let it.  You just let them
celebrate," Orioles center fielder Brady Anderson said.  "They
should make a big deal about this one.  They played good and
they deserve it."

The game was not without incident.  In the top of the fifth
inning, a fan ran onto the field carrying a banner and was
tackled and slammed to the ground by Cuban second-base umpire
Cesar Valdez.

The Orioles edged Cuba, 3-2, in 11 innings on March 28 in the
first visit to Havana by a major league team in more than 40
years.  Unlike the first game, the Cubans fielded a star-studded
team.
 

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