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The Orioles close out their series in Oakland this afternoon with Tyler Wells on the mound and a chance to gain a split after last night’s 1-0 win – the team’s third shutout of the season.

Wells is making his third start after tossing four scoreless innings against the Yankees. He’s been stretched out to 64 pitches.

The rotation has registered a 1.13 ERA since April 11, the lowest in the majors, with five earned runs in 39 2/3 innings.

The Orioles and Giants have allowed three home runs, fewest in the majors. The Orioles and Mets are the only staffs with three shutouts.

On the offensive side, the Orioles’ four home runs and 24 runs scored are the fewest in baseball. The .585 OPS is the lowest in the American League and third-lowest in the majors.

Anthony Santander, playing left field again today, has reached base in all 12 games. He ranks fifth in the American League and sixth in the majors with a .469 OBP.

Austin Hays returns to the lineup and is in right field.

Anthony Bemboom is catching. Robinson Chirinos left yesterday’s game with a bruised face after being hit by a pitch.

Ramón Urías is the third baseman.

Oakland right-hander Paul Blackburn has impressed in his two starts with only two runs allowed, one walk and 10 strikeouts in 10 innings. He owns a career 5.47 ERA and 1.446 WHIP in 148 innings.

The Oriole faced Blackburn twice during his rookie season in 2017 and scored four runs with 13 hits in 9 2/3 innings. His final appearance came on Aug. 22 at Camden Yards, when he blanked the Orioles on three hits over four innings.

The Athletics placed Stephen Vogt on the 10-day injured list, reinstated Austin Allen from the COVID injured list, designated Miguel Romero for assignment and removed the substitute player designation from Christian Bethancourt.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Anthony Santander LF
Trey Mancini DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Rougned Odor 2B
Austin Hays RF
Ramón Urías 3B
Anthony Bemboom C
Jorge Mateo SS 

Tyler Wells RHP

Triple-A Norfolk infielder Terrin Vavra, removed for a pinch-runner last night, is going on the injured list with a right hamstring strain.

Vavra, the organization’s No. 14 prospect per MLBPipeline.com, is batting .327/.435/.423 with three doubles and a triple in 13 games.

Denyi Reyes is making his Triple-A debut this afternoon at age 25 after 113 games at lower levels. His first start in 2022 came at Single-A Delmarva, where he allowed one run and three hits in five innings before moving up to the Tides.

For the Athletics
Tony Kemp LF
Sheldon Neuse 3B
Sean Murphy C
Seth Brown 1B
Christian Bethancourt DH
Billy McKinney RF
Elvis Andrus SS
Cristian Pache CF
Nick Allen 2B

Paul Blackburn RHP