masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles are going for the sweep this afternoon with John Means making his second start since exiting the injured list.
Means allowed five runs in five innings Tuesday night against the Rays and the Orioles held him to 78 pitches. He’s made one career start against the Nationals and surrendered three runs and four hits in two-thirds of an inning on Aug. 16, 2020.
Ramón Urías gets a break today, with Pat Valaika at shortstop and Domingo Leyba at second base.
Trey Mancini is the…

The Orioles are going for the sweep this afternoon with John Means making his second start since exiting the injured list.

Means allowed five runs in five innings Tuesday night against the Rays and the Orioles held him to 78 pitches. He’s made one career start against the Nationals and surrendered three runs and four hits in two-thirds of an inning on Aug. 16, 2020.

Ramón Urías gets a break today, with Pat Valaika at shortstop and Domingo Leyba at second base.

Trey Mancini is the designated hitter. Of his 17 home runs, 10 have tied the game or given the Orioles a lead.

Ryan Mountcastle is playing first base. His 16 home runs are tied for the 10th most among O’s rookies in club history. He’s homered in two of his last three games after going 16 in a row without one.

DJ Stewart is in right field and Ryan McKenna is in left. Austin Hays joins Urías on the bench.

Cedric Mullins collected his 200th career hit and 100th run scored last night.

Thumbnail image for DJ-Stewart-During-BP-Bearded-Sidebar.jpgThe Nationals are starting right-hander Paolo Espino, 34, after moving up Jon Lester to last night. Espino has made 22 appearances, including six starts, and posted a 3.00 ERA and 1.039 WHIP in 51 innings. He’s walked only nine batters.

Espino, who pitched for the Brewers and Rangers in 2017, has never faced the Orioles. He earned his first major league win last month.

The Orioles are attempting to sweep a three-game series from the Nationals for a second consecutive year. It hasn’t happened in Baltimore since June 2010.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Trey Mancini DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
DJ Stewart RF
Maikel Franco 3B
Ryan McKenna LF
Domingo Leyba 2B
Pat Valaika SS
Austin Wynns C

John Means LHP

For the Nationals
Alcides Escobar 2B
Trea Turner SS
Juan Soto RF
Josh Bell 1B
Ryan Zimmerman DH
Josh Harrison LF
Carter Kieboom 3B
Rene Rivera C
Victor Robles CF

Paulo Espino RHP

Spenser Watkins and Jorge López are starting against the Marlins in the two-game series at Camden Yards that begins Tuesday night. Alexander Wells will make a start in Detroit.

Shortstop Freddy Galvis is going to start playing in rehab games in a few days and should return to the Orioles by the beginning of August.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch today.