masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles could go back-to-back days with a roster move, which would be as surprising as cracking open a peanut M&M and finding a peanut.
The only shocker yesterday was the use of a two-man bench after the Orioles designated José Rondón for assignment and recalled pitcher Branden Kline. Especially with Hanser Alberto and Stevie Wilkerson hobbled. Unusual and risky.
Wilkerson wasn’t supposed to be in the lineup … until he started in center field. Alberto figured to be ready after…

The Orioles could go back-to-back days with a roster move, which would be as surprising as cracking open a peanut M&M and finding a peanut.

The only shocker yesterday was the use of a two-man bench after the Orioles designated José Rondón for assignment and recalled pitcher Branden Kline. Especially with Hanser Alberto and Stevie Wilkerson hobbled. Unusual and risky.

Wilkerson wasn’t supposed to be in the lineup … until he started in center field. Alberto figured to be ready after pinch-hitting on Friday and he played third base last night.

They both had two big hits in a 6-4 win.

Of course they did.

Jonathan-Villar-Swings-Grand-Slam-vs-BOS-White-Sidebar.jpgRondón seemed like an insurance plan in case the Orioles traded Jonathan Villar at Wednesday’s deadline. Villar stayed and Rondón disappeared, his entire Orioles body of work a pinch-hit popup.

Don’t get too attached to these guys. And did you really buy the No. 6 jersey?

Here’s a hint that Rondón wasn’t going to stay for long: He didn’t get the audition treatment.

Keon Broxton appeared in 37 games with the Orioles. Rondón got one at-bat and couldn’t crack the lineup. Feels more like one of those transactions where a team claims a player who’s out of options and tries to sneak him through waivers, except Rondón made it to Baltimore for a couple of days.

Rio Ruiz is eligible to return today after the Orioles optioned him on July 24. Manager Brandon Hyde mentioned yesterday that the club “more than likely” would bring up an outfielder, but he was responding to a question about a more normal bench. He wasn’t asked about a three-man bench. Maybe four is “more normal” to Hyde.

Someone could have sought a clarification, but that would ruin all the fun.

Ruiz collected three hits and three RBIs Friday night for Triple-A Norfolk and he hit a two-run homer last night.

Also uncertain is how long Hyde feels that he needs the extra bullpen coverage. Miguel Castro has been sick and a few other relievers weren’t available last night. Rather than name a starter for Monday, Hyde stated that it’s probably going to become a “bullpen game.”

Castro hasn’t sat in the bullpen for the last few nights and I haven’t seen him in the clubhouse during afternoon media access. There’s “unavailable” and then there’s “really unavailable.”

In case you missed it, Jimmy Yacabonis is now the opener today and Tom Eshelman will follow him. Hyde liked how it worked the last time.

Hyde also liked how Alberto dumped a single into right field last night in the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie. Hyde offered one of the year’s best quotes.

“There’s nothing sexier than a base hit the other way with a runner in scoring position for me,” he said.

How this doesn’t end up on a T-shirt is beyond me.

Alberto heard that Hyde thinks some teammates should learn from him.

“I don’t know,” Alberto said, smiling. “That’s an ability God gave me. Sometimes I try to do too much and that’s when I make a lot of outs, but when I try to follow pitchers, I don’t do too much, and that’s when I get success.”

Meanwhile, three teams share the major league record for most consecutive games with at least two home runs allowed with nine. The Orioles are up to eight, tying themselves for the longest streak this season. They also did it in April.