masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgChris Davis is playing first base tonight and Trey Mancini is the designated hitter for the series-opening game against the Mariners at Camden Yards.
This is the final homestand of the season.
Mancini was hit on the left leg last night, but he’s staying in the lineup. He’s just off the field.
Anthony Santander is in left field, Austin Hays is in center and DJ Stewart is in right.
Rio Ruiz is batting cleanup.
Left-hander Richard Bleier is tabbed as the opener tonight, making his first major…

Chris Davis is playing first base tonight and Trey Mancini is the designated hitter for the series-opening game against the Mariners at Camden Yards.

This is the final homestand of the season.

Mancini was hit on the left leg last night, but he’s staying in the lineup. He’s just off the field.

Anthony Santander is in left field, Austin Hays is in center and DJ Stewart is in right.

Rio Ruiz is batting cleanup.

Bleier dealing white side.jpgLeft-hander Richard Bleier is tabbed as the opener tonight, making his first major league start after 159 relief appearances.

Mallex Smith is the only Mariners player with more than three career plate appearances against Bleier. He’s 0-for-4.

Aaron Brooks will relieve Bleier.

Mancini has reached base safely in 22 of his last 23 games, posting a .375 (33-for-88) average with seven doubles, five home runs, 19 RBIs and 17 runs scored. He has 10 multi-hit games during that stretch.

The pitching staff allowed 20 runs in the seventh inning or later during the three-game series against the Blue Jays. The Orioles currently have the third-most runs surrendered in the majors with 277.

The Orioles are facing former Cy Young Award winner Félix Hernández, whose career with the Mariners, and perhaps in baseball, is winding down.

Hernández missed three months of the season and is making his sixth start since coming off the injured list. He’s 1-6 with a 6.31 ERA and 1.484 WHIP in 13 starts, but he held the White Sox to one run in seven innings in his last outing.

Hernández is 6-4 with a 3.36 ERA in 17 career starts against the Orioles and 5-1 with a 3.26 ERA in eight starts at Camden Yards. He pitched in Baltimore last year and allowed three runs in six innings in a 5-3 win.

Mark Trumbo is 11-for-41 (.268) with three home runs against Hernández. Davis is 8-for-35 with two doubles and a home run.

The Mariners have won their last five games. The Orioles have lost four straight.

For the Orioles
Jonathan Villar SS
Trey Mancini DH
Anthony Santander LF
Rio Ruiz 3B
Austin Hays CF
DJ Stewart RF
Hanser Alberto 2B
Chris Davis 1B
Chance Sisco C

Richard Bleier LHP