Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo are out of the Orioles’ lineup tonight for the third consecutive game.

Rutschman hasn’t played since Sunday, appearing in all three games on the artificial surface in Toronto. He wasn’t available for the first two games of the current homestand due to tightness in his left hamstring, leaving him 9-for-25 with seven RBIs this month.

Five of those RBIs came on Friday, when Rutschman went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a home run. He got within a triple of the cycle.

Rutschman went on the injured list last season with strains in his left and right oblique, the first two trips of his career. He went on the IL again in April with left ankle inflammation.

Overall, Rutschman is batting .267/.343/.489 with 14 doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 36 RBIs, 21 walks and 28 strikeouts in 48 games in a bounce back season that’s thrust him into the All-Star conversation. He’s also thrown out 36.1 percent of runners attempting to steal.

Precipitation interrupted Rutschman’s outdoor workout this afternoon. He moved it inside after the grounds crew unrolled the tarp.

Whether Rutschman is available tonight hinges on how the hamstring felt today. Manager Craig Albernaz was waiting for an update. Rutschman didn’t appear to be limping when he walked to and from his locker.

“He was actually in the midst of running and testing it, but it started raining and the tarp got pulled, so it got cut short,” Albernaz said. “So now we’re trying to figure out what the rest of the day’s going to look like for him.”

Basallo has pinch-hit and moved behind the plate in the first two games of the series while dealing with some soreness in his left wrist believed to be caused by a bony growth.

“Sammy’s had great work days the past couple days, and today as well, and he’ll be available off the bench today, as well,” Albernaz said.

The decision to keep Basallo out of the lineup, Albernaz said, is based on “just doing what’s best for Sammy.”

“Long season,” Albernaz added, “and like I said, he’ll be ready off the bench.”

Albernaz also said there’s no disconnect between Basallo and himself regarding how playing through some pain is part of the developmental process. Albernaz said the following after Sunday’s game:

“He’s fine. What I mean by that is, there’s like a bony growth in his wrist, so it’s one of those things where it’s going to be uncomfortable and it’s something he’s always had, and just like we talked about with young players, development’s messy, and one of those things with Sammy is knowing his body and playing through some things and knowing that he can play.

“It’s just one of those things where, we’re gonna have to learn on the fly. And the thing with Sammy that he’s shown is like, the talent, the skills, the impact he can make with us, it’s real. And this is another step in his development is knowing how to play through some pain and not being 100 percent all the time.”

Earlier today, Albernaz said, “Me and Sammy have constant conversations. It’s one of those things where, it’s like short-term pain for long-term gain. Sammy, he’s doing great. Great workdays, and he’ll be available off the bench.”

Albernaz indicated that he makes the final call on playing time.

“It’s my decision,” he said. “At the end of the day, manager of the team, and everything falls on me and it’s my decision.”

Stretching the topic a little further, Albernaz also said Basallo didn’t feel like the manager was questioning his toughness on Sunday.

“No, not at all,” he said.

Colton Cowser is in center field again tonight and batting cleanup. Leody Taveras is in right and Tyler O’Neill is the designated hitter.

Blaze Alexander is at third base, moving Coby Mayo to the bench.

Brandon Young makes his 10th start, and first ever against the Mariners, after compiling a 3.47 ERA in 49 1/3 innings. He’s strung together three quality starts.

Cowser is batting .550 when ahead of the count this season, but his average drops to .189 when he’s behind and .150 when it’s even.

The Orioles will try to snap a four-game losing streak. They’re 4-for-31 with runners in scoring position during that stretch.

They also will attempt to avoid falling seven games below .500 for the first time since May 24.

The reversal has been harsh, with the Orioles winning 10 of 14 before their current skid.

Mariners right-hander George Kirby has a 4.04 ERA in 13 starts, including one complete game. He’s averaging 2.1 walks per nine innings to tie last season’s career high, and 7.4 strikeouts that are the lowest.

In his last four starts, Kirby has allowed 20 runs (17 earned) and 30 hits over 21 innings. Right-handers are hitting .295 with a .722 OPS against him this season, and left-handers are hitting .250 with a .679 OPS. He’s posted a 4.56 ERA in eight home starts and a 3.23 ERA in five road games.

Kirby is 2-5 with a 3.26 ERA and 1.087 WHIP in eight career starts against the Orioles.  

Gunnar Henderson is 7-for-16 with two doubles and a home run against Kirby. Taylor Ward is 7-for-30 with a double and three homers. Pete Alonso is 3-for-5 with a homer. Taveras is 1-for-15.

For the Orioles
Taylor Ward LF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Pete Alonso 1B
Colton Cowser CF
Leody Taveras RF
Jackson Holliday 2B
Tyler O’Neill DH
Blaze Alexander 3B
Sam Huff C

Brandon Young RHP

The Mariners made the following roster moves:

Infielder/outfielder Miles Mastrobuoni reinstated from 60-day injured list
Right-hander Domingo González recalled from Triple-A Tacoma
Infielder Ryan Bliss optioned to Tacoma
Right-hander Matt Brash placed on 15-day injured list with a right lat strain