masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgPat Valaika is getting another start at first base as the Orioles begin an important four-game series tonight at Yankee Stadium.
Renato Núñez is the designated hitter. José Iglesias is starting at shortstop again rather than being used as the DH to compensate for a sore left quadriceps muscle.
Ryan Mountcastle is the cleanup hitter behind DJ Stewart. Hanser Alberto moves down to eighth in the order.
The Orioles trail the Yankees by 1 1/2 games for the final playoff spot in the American…

Pat Valaika is getting another start at first base as the Orioles begin an important four-game series tonight at Yankee Stadium.

Renato Núñez is the designated hitter. José Iglesias is starting at shortstop again rather than being used as the DH to compensate for a sore left quadriceps muscle.

Ryan Mountcastle is the cleanup hitter behind DJ Stewart. Hanser Alberto moves down to eighth in the order.

The Orioles trail the Yankees by 1 1/2 games for the final playoff spot in the American League.

Akin-Throws-Black-Debut-Sidebar.jpgKeegan Akin and Gerrit Cole engaged in a spirted pitching duel on Saturday at Camden Yards, a rookie versus the highest-paid pitcher in history.

Cole struck out eight of the first nine batters and retired 11 in a row and 15 of 16, but the Orioles erupted for five runs in the sixth inning. Stewart broke an 0-for-17 streak to start the season with two home runs.

Meanwhile, Akin made his second major league start and tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings with only three hits allowed. He hasn’t surrendered an earned run in 9 2/3 innings in the rotation.

Iglesias is 1-for-12 against Cole. His hitting streak ended last night at 13 games.

Stewart has hit five home runs in the last four games and is batting .267 with a 1.255 OPS since his 0-for-17 start.

Rio Ruiz has a 10-game hitting streak.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
José Iglesias SS
DJ Stewart RF
Ryan Mountcastle LF
Pedro Severino C
Renato Núñez DH
Rio Ruiz 3B
Hanser Alberto 2B
Pat Valaika 1B

Keegan Akin LHP