WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – “When you’re talking about 10-plus guys on the IL, and now, little by little, they’re coming back. If you understand that, you know that things will turn around," Ramón Laureano said last night.
"And that’s what we’re seeing right now.”
Things are trending in the right direction in Baltimore.
After last night’s 7-4 come-from-behind victory, the O’s have a chance to take the series against the Athletics this afternoon. That, of course, would be the first time all season that Baltimore has won three-straight series, given the fact that their series win in Seattle was the first time they had won back-to-back series.
Tomoyuki Sugano’s name penciled into the lineup card gives them a good chance to do it.
The veteran has been masterful to start his Major League career, to the tune of a 3.04 ERA in his first dozen starts. His four runs allowed in a start against the Twins a few weeks ago is still the most he’s allowed in an outing this season. As such, it’s no surprise that Baltimore is 7-5 in games that he’s started.
The better news from today’s pregame festivities, however, comes off the field.
Jordan Westburg is “trending” in the right direction to join the team back in Baltimore on Tuesday for the O’s series against the Tigers, according to Tony Mansolino. Westy was in the lineup for the first game of Norfolk’s doubleheader this afternoon, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. That bumped his Triple-A batting average up to .393 and his OPS over 1.200.
Seems ready.
Baltimore will need all the help they can get to keep their good times rolling against a Tigers team that’s one of three clubs in baseball to reach the 40-win mark.
That help could come in the form of more than Westburg, too.
Cedric Mullins took live at-bats against Brandon Young this morning, according to Mansolino.
“All went well,” Mansolino said. “Ran good, threw good, everything. So we’re trending in a good direction with him. I would guess, if all goes perfectly well, we would probably see Cedric at some point in the Detroit or Anaheim series.”
Joining the recently reinstated Colton Cowser and Ramón Laureano, the outfield is almost back to full strength. Tyler O’Neill is rehabbing in Norfolk, too.
The O’s are gaining ground, and the roster is only getting healthier. Anything can happen with your best players on the field.
A series win at Sutter Health Park today would conclude an excellent road trip.
Breadcrumbs from the Skipper
Scott Blewett is back with the club and figures to play a similar role to Matt Bowman out of the bullpen. The two were the corresponding roster move for one another today, with Blewett entering and Bowman exiting.
Bowman tossed 2 ⅓ innings of clutch relief last night, only to receive some unfortunate news this morning.
“Any time a guy does well, you feel for him in that situation,” Mansolino said of Bowman. “Incredible professional, he’s got a bright future in this game … It’s heartbreaking for us. For the front office, for the coaches to sit in on those conversations, but he handled it as good as you can handle it”
Coach John Mabry hasn’t been here long, but he’s already making an impact.
“He’s been here for ten days, he’s been incredible,” Mansolino said. “You already see players gravitating towards him, you see the coaches gravitating towards him. There’s a lot of wisdom, there’s a lot of calmness.”