masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles decided to shift gears tonight and go with an opener, or a bullpen game, depending on how it plays out.
Jimmy Yacabonis has been named the starter after the club listed Tom Eshelman to begin the series against the Angels. Eshelman could follow Yacabonis. Manager Brandon Hyde will explain the move later to reporters in Anaheim.
Yacabonis has made two starts among 23 appearances. His high in innings and pitches this season is 3 1/3 and 61 out of the bullpen in Game 1 of a July 13…

The Orioles decided to shift gears tonight and go with an opener, or a bullpen game, depending on how it plays out.

Jimmy Yacabonis has been named the starter after the club listed Tom Eshelman to begin the series against the Angels. Eshelman could follow Yacabonis. Manager Brandon Hyde will explain the move later to reporters in Anaheim.

Yacabonis-Day-Gray-sidebar.jpgYacabonis has made two starts among 23 appearances. His high in innings and pitches this season is 3 1/3 and 61 out of the bullpen in Game 1 of a July 13 doubleheader. His ERA jumped from 5.13 to 6.95 in his last appearance after allowing seven runs in one-third of an inning.

In his only May appearance with the Orioles, Yacabonis covered the last two innings against the Angels at Camden Yards and allowed one run and three hits in two innings. He walked none and struck out three.

The Angels are starting rookie left-hander José Suarez, which puts Chris Davis on the bench. Davis struck out eight times in nine at-bats in Arizona.

Left-handers are slashing .192/.279/.423 against Suarez and right-handers are hitting .355/.430/.671

Suarez, 21, is 2-1 with a 5.51 ERA and 1.561 WHIP in seven starts. He’s averaging 3.9 walks and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Suarez hasn’t completed six innings in any start. He’s surrendered 10 home runs in 32 2/3 innings.

Anthony Santander is starting in right field and batting cleanup after hitting four home runs in his last six games. He’s 13-for-29 in his last seven games.

Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing third base, with Jace Peterson on the bench. Trey Mancini is starting at first base, Stevie Wilkerson is in center field and Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field.

Smith gets to face a left-hander now that he’s heated up at the plate.

Renato Núñez is the designated hitter.

The Orioles will try to cool off Mike Trout, who’s hit 11 home runs in his last 14 games. He’s batting .296/.443/.662 with 21 doubles, a triple, 33 home runs and 81 RBIs this season.

For the Orioles
Hanser Alberto 3B
Trey Mancini 1B
Renato Núñez DH
Anthony Santander RF
Pedro Severino C
Jonathan Villar 2B
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Stevie Wilkerson CF
Richie Martin SS

Jimmy Yacabonis RHP