Worley’s endurance eases pressure on O’s ‘pen

CLEVELAND — The bullpen phone at Progressive Field rang much sooner than anyone had anticipated. In Saturday’s 11-4 loss to the Indians, the Orioles made a call to the ‘pen in the first inning. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter ordered right-handed reliever Vance Worley to begin warming up.

Worley wouldn’t be needed in the first, as starter Ubaldo Jimenez finally escaped after facing the entire Tribe lineup and surrendering four runs (one earned). However, things did not fare much better in the second, and Showalter had no choice but to pull the plug on Jimenez after just 1 2/3 innings.

“Just command,” Showalter said. “He’s not able to get the ball where he needs to get it. Some walks and deep counts take away the possibility [of a pitch] other than a fastball. … But [a] 30-something pitch inning got everybody on their heels.”

Worley came on and surrendered an RBI single before getting the final out in the second inning. But Worley battled and wound up spinning 4 1/3 innings, matching his career high for a relief appearance. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits.

“When the game is where it’s at, you’re going in trying to limit the damage,” Worley said. “I was …

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