HOUSTON -- Ubaldo Jimenez pitched for the Orioles on Sunday after all.
The start at Minute Maid Park went to Alec Asher, who joined the rotation after manager Buck Showalter decided to send Jimenez to the bullpen on Friday. But it was Jimenez who finished the game, not allowing a run in the final five innings of his six-frame relief appearance.
Jimenez took the move to the bullpen in stride. The right-hander said he would do whatever he could to help the club. And he did that on Sunday. In the Orioles' 8-4 loss to the Astros -- their seventh straight -- Jimenez retired his final 11 batters in an encouraging performance, allowing only two runs and five hits, with five strikeouts and two walks.