masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgFreddy Galvis has returned to the Orioles lineup today, batting seventh against the Athletics in Oakland.
Galvis, previously out with a sore left adductor, is batting .348/.400/.630 (16-for-46) in his last 15 games. He slashed .115/.179/.154 (3-for-26) in his first seven.
“He got off to a slow start offensively,” manager Brandon Hyde said today in his Zoom call. “Really, like the last week to two weeks before he had a little bit of the groin soreness, I think you started seeing better…

Freddy Galvis has returned to the Orioles lineup today, batting seventh against the Athletics in Oakland.

Galvis, previously out with a sore left adductor, is batting .348/.400/.630 (16-for-46) in his last 15 games. He slashed .115/.179/.154 (3-for-26) in his first seven.

“He got off to a slow start offensively,” manager Brandon Hyde said today in his Zoom call. “Really, like the last week to two weeks before he had a little bit of the groin soreness, I think you started seeing better at-bats. He was on top of the baseball a little bit more, on time with the fastball, using the whole field, showing a little bit of the pop that he has, because he was being on time offensively.

“It’s nice to see him back out there. He says he feels good and he’s ready to go.”

Pat Valaika was 0-for-21 before his single last night in the ninth inning. He’s on the bench today.

“I just think the last few days he’s kind of had a little bit of some bad luck on just misses,” Hyde said. “You’ve seen two or three or four deep fly balls to right that he just missed underneath a hair. Probably a couple would have been out at Yankee Stadium if we were playing there. But Pat’s a grinder and he’s trying to take good at-bats.

“These things happen where you kind of fall into a tough stretch, and Pat’s doing a great job of trying to stay focused on process-based. … It was good to see him get a hit. Hopefully, he gets some confidence and he can string a few together when he gets back in there.”

Maikel Franco sat out last night, but he’s the third baseman and cleanup hitter today.

Austin Hays is in left field again and DJ Stewart is in right. Trey Mancini plays first base, with Ryan Mountcastle the designated hitter.

Mountcastle-Swings-Orange-Intrasquad-Sidebar.jpgMountcastle had two more hits last night, giving him six in the last five games.

“I think last road trip I had some really good at-bats and I don’t think I had a hit last road trip, but I was hitting balls hard,” he said. “You know, it was tough to watch, but I kept my head up and I think stuff will start to fall and I’m going to start barreling some balls up soon. Just got to stay positive.”

“I’m starting to feel a little better. Not the start I wanted to have this year, but you know, I’m taking it day-by-day. I’m going to keep working hard and keep my head up.”

Cedric Mullins and former Orioles minor leaguer Yermin Mercedes are tied for the major league hits lead with 34.

John Means’ 1.70 ERA is the lowest for an Orioles starter in his first six starts of a season since Hall of Famer Jim Palmer (1.13) in 1977. It’s the 10th time in club history that an Orioles starter has posted a 1.70 ERA or lower in his first six starts

Matt Harvey lowered his ERA from 5.12 to 4.26 in his last start by holding the Yankees to one run in six innings. His best work as an Oriole.

Harvey has made one career start against the Athletics and allowed two runs and four hits in six innings on March 29, 2019 in Oakland.

The bullpen has posted a 1.49 ERA in the last 13 games, including two scoreless innings last night in a 3-2 win. The unit as recorded a 2.3 WAA (Wins Above Average), according to Baseball-Reference, that ranks as the highest in the majors.

The Orioles have registered a 2.84 team ERA in their 12 road games, the second-lowest in the majors behind the Red Sox (2.58).

Left-hander Jesús Luzardo faced the Orioles on April 25 and allowed three runs with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Hays homered twice.

Hays is 5-for-16 (.313) with three home runs, four RBIs and five runs scored this season in four games against Oakland.

The A’s have lost four of the last six games after winning 13 in a row. They’re batting .176 (33-for-187) with 11 runs scored in those six games.

A leftover from yesterday: The Orioles released left-hander Zach Muckenhirn, an 11th-round pick in 2016 from the University of North Dakota.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays LF
Trey Mancini 1B
Maikel Franco 3B
Pedro Severino C
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Freddy Galvis SS
DJ Stewart RF
Ramón Urías 2B

Matt Harvey RHP

For the Athletics
Mark Canha RF
Jed Lowrie 2B
Ramón Laureano CF
Mitch Moreland DH
Matt Chapman 3B
Seth Brown 1B
Tony Kemp LF
Elvis Andrus SS
Aramis Garcia C

Jesús Luzardo LHP