masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAs scouts continue to follow Orioles closer Zach Britton and monitor his recovery from Achilles surgery and his dependability in the late innings, they can mark off the box that confirms his ability to enter games with little preparation and get results.
Britton was forced into the ninth inning Monday night against the Mariners after plate umpire Stu Scheuwater called a balk on Darren O’Day and then ejected him when O’Day argued the call. The left-hander didn’t anticipate that the bullpen…

As scouts continue to follow Orioles closer Zach Britton and monitor his recovery from Achilles surgery and his dependability in the late innings, they can mark off the box that confirms his ability to enter games with little preparation and get results.

Britton was forced into the ninth inning Monday night against the Mariners after plate umpire Stu Scheuwater called a balk on Darren O’Day and then ejected him when O’Day argued the call. The left-hander didn’t anticipate that the bullpen phone would ring for him, but manager Buck Showalter wasn’t going to use Mychal Givens or Mike Wright Jr.

zach-britton-black-side.pngNormally allowed to throw 10-15 warmup pitches in the bullpen and eight more on the mound, Britton hustled onto the field and rushed to get ready via prodding from Scheuwater, who stood near him and further infuriated the Orioles. Britton said his total number of tosses came in under 20.

“It was kind of like an impossible situation to an extent,” Britton said.

It’s dangerous for a pitcher who isn’t that far removed from the disabled list and had forearm issues last season, but he told me yesterday that he felt good and actually was available if needed.

Showalter believed him, because Britton was warming in the bottom of the eighth in case the Orioles took the lead.

Inheriting a full count on Nelson Cruz, Britton pitched around him rather than groove a fastball in a 5-3 game and with a runner on second base. Kyle Seager grounded into a force, Ryon Healy walked and Britton turned Denard Span’s comebacker into a 1-2-3 double play.

“Until Denard Span, that was about the only time that I was actually loose,” Britton said. “You’re in a situation 3-2 to Nelson, you’re not going to throw him anything. You may as well just put him on anyway. And anyone after that, I was still like in a warmup mindset, so yeah, it’s a challenge.

“I think if maybe you could warm up in the bullpen before entering, it would make it a little bit easier and you wouldn’t risk an injury and things like that. But until I faced Span is the only time I felt like I was in a major league game and was competing. Everything else was like, just try to get my body loose.

“It’s just an unfortunate situation. It’s not anybody’s fault other than, Darren’s justified in his actions, so you’ve just got to be ready. And I figured that I’d be the guy. I only had a day off, but I didn’t throw that many pitches the last time.”

O’Day apparently didn’t know that Scheuwater was behind the plate until the umpire removed his mask, which heightened the outrage. O’Day has been called for two balks in 11 seasons and Scheuwater is responsible for both of them.

Meanwhile, O’Day is expected to go on the disabled list today after reinjuring his hamstring. Jimmy Yacabonis was headed to Baltimore last night and could replace him on the roster. Also, the Orioles could choose Joey Rickard, Corban Joseph or Steve Wilkerson to replace outfielder Craig Gentry, who’s going on the DL with a fractured rib.

* I’m still trying to find the source of the rumors that Rick Dempsey, Mike Bordick and Billy Ripken are managerial candidates in Baltimore if Showalter doesn’t return.

Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not shooting down their qualifications or ability to handle the job. I’ve just never heard anyone in the legitimate media report it. Only that FanRag Sports referenced the trio as “rumored.” But where?

Maybe I slept in that morning and missed it.

I know that Showalter earlier in his tenure was interested in having Ripken join the coaching staff.

* Alex Cobb has completed seven innings in three of his last five starts and he threw a season-high 107 pitches Friday night while holding the Braves to one run.

Cobb is 2-4 with a 6.81 ERA and 1.626 WHIP in seven career starts against the Mariners in 35 2/3 innings. Nelson Cruz is 6-for-20 (.300) with a double and home run.

Left-hander Wade LeBlanc is coming off back-to-back starts against the Red Sox. He shut them out on two hits over 7 2/3 innings with no walks and nine strikeouts, and allowed six runs and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings at Fenway Park.

LeBlanc is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.214 WHIP in four career games (two starts) against the Orioles, with seven runs and 14 hits allowed in 14 innings.

Adam Jones is the only current Oriole with more than four at-bats against LeBlanc. He’s 1-for-7. Chris Davis is 1-for-3 with a home run. Trey Mancini homered in his only at-bat.

Left-handers have hit .304 against LeBlanc in his career. They’ve posted a .290 average this season.

* Orioles reliever Richard Bleier is having the sutures removed today following surgery on his left lat muscle.

Hey, one step at a time.

* The Orioles will sign Shippensburg University outfielder Dalton Hoiles, the son of former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles.

It isn’t official, but Hoiles will join the organization and likely report to short-season Single-A Aberdeen. The decision has been made to sign him.

* A reminder that the Casey Cares 5K is Saturday, July 14 beginning at 8 a.m., with participants finishing on the field at Camden Yards. The race T-shirt deadline is Friday.

For registration and details, go to CaseyCares.org.

Davis and wife Jill are race ambassadors.

“Jill and I are thrilled to once again partner with Casey Cares in support of this great cause,” Davis said. “We are so grateful to everyone involved with this race and for the role it plays in helping to bring happiness to the children and their families who are most in need.”

Casey Cares will serve more than 1,200 families with critically ill kids this year and provide more than 17,000 program activities. In only one year. Such an impressive organization.