"Miguel Tejada's first exhibition game as the Orioles' regular third baseman featured a little bit of everything.

He made the first play of the game on a bouncer by Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett, then made an error the next time Bartlett came to the plate. He also delivered a hit and scored a run in three at-bats in the Orioles' 12-2 victory Wednesday before an announced 5,328 at Ed Smith Stadium.

"I'm excited," Tejada said. "I was excited for the game to start. It's a great game. I feel comfortable. I feel like everything that I've been working on came through today. I'm going to keep working and continue to get better."

He didn't look entirely comfortable on the first ball but gloved it cleanly and spun around before making a strong throw to get Bartlett on a close play. He tried to short-hop the second ball, but it skipped under his glove.

"I did everything right," he said. "The ball just went under my glove. Juan [Samuel] told me I did everything perfectly."

Tejada has been deeply involved in this process. He has been at the ballpark early every morning to work with Samuel on third base technique. Before the game, he seemed excited about taking his third base education onto the field.

"It's fun. ... It's kind of like my first day in the big leagues," Tejada said Wednesday morning. "I get to prove that I can play another position in the big leagues. I'm going to play like it's [shortstop]. I've never been afraid to make an error.""