masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgJosh Stinson returned to the Orioles today from Triple-A Norfolk for the third time. His first stay lasted just one day and the second stay lasted only two days.

He joked he is shooting to be here three days this time.

Stinson first came up to start against Toronto on April 24 and gave up five runs and four homers over 5 2/3 innings. He returned for two games, but did not pitch July 10 and 11.

“Anytime you get called up, you’re excited. Just come up here and do whatever job they need,” he…Josh Stinson returned to the Orioles today from Triple-A Norfolk for the third time. His first stay lasted just one day and the second stay lasted only two days.

He joked he is shooting to be here three days this time.

Stinson first came up to start against Toronto on April 24 and gave up five runs and four homers over 5 2/3 innings. He returned for two games, but did not pitch July 10 and 11.

“Anytime you get called up, you’re excited. Just come up here and do whatever job they need,” he said.

Stinson is 7-5 with a 3.75 ERA over 21 starts for Triple-A Norfolk. In his last three starts there, he gave up just just 11 hits and two earned runs over 18 1/3 innings for an ERA of 0.98.

In seven starts with Norfolk since July 1, he is 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA and .205 batting average against.

“My changeup has been good my last couple of starts,” he said. “Really just keeping my front side through instead of flying open. First time through the lineups, I was trying to go fastball-changeup so they don’t see my cutter, slider or curveball. Keep them off balance and everything has been working well lately. It’s been fun.”

Stinson found out last night he was coming to Baltimore today. He learned that news as the team bus was taking the Tides from Toledo to Columbus. Then he flew to Baltimore this morning on an early flight.

He impressed Buck Showalter after he was optioned out the last time he was with the Orioles. He was sent to the minors on July 11 and the next day gave up just run over five innings for Norfolk. Showalter remarked then how he was impressed that Stinson returned to Triple-A so quickly in time to make that start and then pitched well that day.

“I wasn’t aware of it, but (Tides manager Ron Johnson) made me aware of it when I went back,” Stinson said. “I’m always telling R.J., I’m there if you need me. I recover well, so that helps.”