The Orioles aren’t gaining sufficient ground in the standings but their roster is healthier.

Infielder Jordan Westburg and outfielder Cedric Mullins were reinstated from the 10-day injured list earlier today. But it cost Heston Kjerstad a roster spot. He was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. And it cost Emmanuel Rivera a place in the organization after he was designated again for assignment.

Westburg hasn’t played in the majors since straining his left hamstring in Game 2 of an April 26 doubleheader in Detroit.

Westburg was 9-for-29 in his last seven games. He’s batting .217/.265/.391 with two doubles, a triple, four home runs and six RBIs in 23 games.

Westburg appeared in eight games with Norfolk on his injury rehab assignment and went 11-for-28 with four doubles and two homers.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The result of this afternoon’s game had a heftier weight on the pendulum. 

If victorious, the Orioles would head back to the East Coast winners of two straight series out west and five of six games overall. Couple that with a sweep of the White Sox, and that’s eight of nine. With Jordan Westburg and Cedric Mullins potentially joining a team on a scorching hot streak next week, everything would be coming up Birds.

An impressive sweep of the Mariners bookended by taking care of business against the White Sox and Athletics. That's closing in on "we're so back" territory.  

A 5-1 loss, however, felt monumentally different. 

Entering a fresh series against the Orioles, the Athletics had lost 20 of their previous 22 games. Their rough stretch indicated the possibility that Baltimore could continue to gain some ground in the standings. 

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. Their series win in Seattle marked 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 Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Activated RHP Scott Blewett. He will wear No. 67.
• Designated RHP Matt Bowman for assignment.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 39 players.

The West Coast trip winds to a finish this afternoon, with the Orioles unable to run their sweep streak to three series. The mighty Athletics ruined those plans on Friday night. 

The season is 63 games old and the Orioles entered last night 12 below .500, 14 out of first place in the division and 8 ½ from the last Wild Card. Only the A’s and White Sox had worse records.

The most basic math tells us that elimination isn’t imminent. The second week in June leaves a lot of season to be played. But each loss feels like another shovelful of dirt is dumped on them.

That’s the way it is when a team digs such a deep hole for itself.

Let’s visit or review a few more questions that hover around the Orioles, who are off Monday before hosting the Tigers, owners of the best record in baseball.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Pitching has led the way for the Orioles in their recent stretch of success. 

They didn’t allow more than three earned runs in any of their games against the White Sox and Mariners, a streak that was snapped last night. They hadn’t had a blowup outing from a starting pitcher since Zach Eflin’s eight earned runs against the Nationals on May 18. 

That streak ended tonight as well. Charlie Morton allowed four runs in the first inning, and the Orioles found themselves staring at a first-inning deficit. 

Call it momentum or a mentality shift, but tonight, things were different. 

Early in the season, a start like that might have buried Baltimore. On a pleasant night in West Sacramento, though, the Birds battled back and came out on top 7-4. 

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It’s no secret that Baltimore’s recent stretch of success has been fueled by their pitching staff. 

Last night’s five earned runs marked the first time that the O’s allowed four runs or more since May 28 against the Cardinals. That’s also the last time the Orioles had lost before last night. 

Tonight, Charlie Morton looks to maintain his individual stretch of success. In his last five games, the veteran has a 1.64 ERA in 22 innings of work, striking out 24 and walking just five. That run includes his last two outings since he returned to the starting rotation, in which Morton completed six and seven innings, respectively. He allowed just two total earned runs in those two starts. 

His backstop in both of those starts was Maverick Handley, who gets another start tonight. Numerous Orioles have praised Handley for calling a good game behind the plate, and he gets another crack at it with Morton. 

“Seems to have been good,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said of the relationship between Morton and Handley. “Hopefully it continues tonight, but so far it has gone pretty well.” 

The mere mention of it caused Bryan Baker to tilt back his head and laugh.

A selection to the All-Star Game? Baker will hold runners if they can actually reach base against him, but he won’t hold his breath.

“I don’t know about all that,” he said. “That’s a tough road.”

Baker has traveled a few in his professional lifetime. He’s learned how to fold the map.

There were times that he lost his job in the Orioles bullpen and fought to earn their trust again. Needing results to break camp with the team this spring, which coincided with an uptick in fastball velocity and renewed confidence in his changeup after a minute grip adjustment on the seams.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Orioles had gone two consecutive series without allowing four earned runs or more. They, of course, won all six of those games. 

Tonight, Baltimore allowed four earned runs by the end of the third inning. The offense couldn't find the right hits, and the O's fell 5-4 to the Athletics, snapping Baltimore's six-game winning streak. 

A lefty starter on the mound presented a tall task for an Orioles lineup that had been the worst in baseball at hitting southpaws this season. Perhaps some struggles evaporate in the midst of a winning stretch. 

The hometown kid got things started. 

It would take about 20 minutes for Dylan Carlson to hop in the car and drive from Sutter Health Park, the site of the O’s series against the Athletics, to Elk Grove High School, his alma mater. A late game might help him beat some traffic, too. 

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Orioles roster had a shakeup this afternoon, but it wasn’t the one that most had expected. 

Jordan Westburg has been tearing the cover off the ball in six games in Triple-A Norfolk, but his return will most likely wait until after this road trip.

“You’ll see Westy play these next couple days most likely,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “I think he’s probably the most likely one to be there Tuesday.” 

Baltimore won’t rush him. 

Instead, the honor of reinstated Oriole goes to Ramón Laureano this time around, who is back with the club after playing just two rehab games for the Tides. Ironically, he’s returning to Sutter Health Park, where he has appeared on rehab assignment before. 

Gunnar Henderson is out of the Orioles lineup tonight in Sacramento, with Jorge Mateo starting at shortstop against Athletics left-hander JP Sears.

Ramón Laureano, reinstated today from the 10-day injured list, is batting third as the designated hitter. Colton Cowser returns to the lineup and is in center field. Coby Mayo is playing first base. Ramón Urías starts at third base.

Ryan O’Hearn is in right field.

O’Hearn ranks among American League leaders in on-base percentage (second at .411), average (fourth at .326), OPS (fifth at .930) and slugging percentage (seventh at .519). He's reached safely in 33 of his last 35 games since April 24.

Adley Rutschman is batting .278/.350/.472 (20-for-72) in 20 games since May 11, with seven extra-base hits, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored. In the previous 22 games, he hit .149/.259/.216 (11-for-74) with three extra-base hits.

The Orioles have reinstated outfielder Ramón Laureano from the 10-day injured list and designated outfielder Jordyn Adams for assignment.

Laureano sprained his left ankle in Milwaukee. He homered yesterday for Triple-A Norfolk in Louisville in his second rehab game. He’s batting .266/.320/.532 with seven doubles and six homers with the Orioles.

Adams was used as a defensive replacement, his only at-bat coming yesterday.

Jordan Westburg and Gary Sánchez also homered yesterday for Norfolk and should be nearing returns. 

The bullpen will undergo another change. The Orioles acquired Scott Blewett from the Braves today for cash considerations.

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated outfielder RAMÓN LAUREANO (left ankle sprain) from the 10-day Injured List and acquired right-handed pitcher SCOTT BLEWETT from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations. Blewett has not yet reported. To make room on the active and 40-man rosters, outfielder JORDYN ADAMS has been designated for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

Laureano, 30, is slashing .266/.320/.532 (25-for-94) with seven doubles, six home runs, 13 runs scored, and 11 RBI in 36 games for the Orioles this season. He was placed on the 10-day Injured List on May 24, retroactive to May 21.

Blewett (pronounced BLOO-it), 29, threw two scoreless games (4.1 IP) for the Orioles earlier this season after being claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on April 14. He was designated for assignment by Baltimore on April 19, before being acquired by Atlanta for cash considerations on April 20. Blewett is 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA (11 ER/25.1 IP) in 15 games (1 GS) between the Orioles, Braves, and Twins this year.

Blewett was originally selected by the Kansas City Royals in the second round of the 2014 Fist-Year Player Draft out of Charles W. Baker (NY) High School. He made his MLB debut with the Royals on September 19, 2020 at Milwaukee. The right-hander has a 3.02 ERA (18 ER/53.2 IP) in 32 career MLB games.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• UTL Cooper Hummel elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

SEATTLE – Dylan Carlson drifted back for a fly ball today in the first inning and bumped against the fence as he reached over his head for it. The earlier version of the Orioles would have watched it deflect off Carlson and roll away for an extra-base hit as the runner scored from second base. The Orioles who suddenly can’t lose a game secured the final out, with Carlson making the catch despite the jarring contact.

The first run today was produced by the Orioles in the third inning on a leadoff walk to the No. 9 hitter and two wild pitches.

Everything seems to be going right these days, with breaks also caught. No one knows where this turnaround will lead, but it’s gotten a whole lot more interesting.

Adley Rutschman hit a game-tying two-run homer off Bryan Woo in the sixth inning and Gunnar Henderson followed with a go-ahead shot to give the Orioles a 4-3 victory over the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

The Orioles (25-36) have won six in a row and nine of 11 and have swept back-to-back series for the first time since July 7-16, 2023 against the Twins and Marlins. They were 16-34 on May 24 but have moved 11 games below .500 for the first time since May 14.

SEATTLE – The Orioles will go for back-to-back series sweeps today and run their winning streak to six straight games with Colton Cowser getting a rest day and Jorge Mateo playing center field.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter. Ryan O’Hearn is playing first base, with Coby Mayo on the bench.

Heston Kjerstad gets another start in right field. Emmanuel Rivera is at third base.

Zach Eflin has a 4.46 ERA and 1.091 WHIP in 40 1/3 innings. He shut out the White Sox over seven innings in his last outing after surrendering seven home runs in the previous two.

Eflin has never pitched in Seattle.

SEATTLE – The seismic shift in the Orioles’ season has taken them from last call to bars raised.

A rotation that ranked statistically among the worst in baseball is pushing its starters to keep performing at a much higher level. The group has registered a 2.11 ERA in the past 10 games, with two runs or fewer allowed in eight. The next man up must stand tall.

The offense is delivering more often in the clutch, whether with powerful strokes or well-placed pokes. Runs aren’t scoring in bunches, but the amount is sufficient.

Heston Kjerstad tripled for the second time in three games, driving in two runs with two outs in the seventh inning to key the Orioles’ 3-2 victory over the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. He has four hits this month, three for extra bases.

The Orioles are 24-36 overall and 9-8 under interim manager Tony Mansolino. They’ve claimed back-to-back series for the first time and built their first five-game winning streak since June 7-12, 2024. They won a fourth straight road game in a single season for the first time since June 7-10, 2024.

SEATTLE – Outfielder Ramón Laureano and catcher Gary Sánchez begin their injury rehab assignments tonight with Triple-A Norfolk, which is playing in Nashville. Laureano is leading off and playing right field and Sánchez is batting third and serving as designated hitter.

Laureano and Sánchez joined infielder Jordan Westburg, who is reaching the finish line in his assignment. Westburg is batting second and playing third base.

Coby Mayo is playing first base tonight as the Orioles try to stay on their recent roll.

Colton Cowser stays in center field, Heston Kjerstad in right and Dylan Carlson in left. Ryan O’Hearn goes from first baseman to designated hitter.

Left-hander Cade Povich will try to give the Orioles five straight quality starts for the first time since July 5-9, 2023 with Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish, Cole Irvin, Tyler Wells and Kyle Gibson.

SEATTLE – Ballots were revealed earlier today for the All-Star Game that’s set for the July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Votes can be cast at www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot.

Phase 1 runs from today-June 26, and Phase 2 from June 30-July 2. One player may be chosen from each position during the initial round except for outfield (three). Starters are selected beginning June 30.

The top vote recipient in each league automatically makes the starting lineup, and the remaining spots are determined by the fans.  

Starters will be announced on July 2 at 7 p.m. on ESPN, and pitchers and reserves will be revealed July 6 at 5 p.m. on ESPN.

SEATTLE – The starts keep coming to Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad, with injuries presenting more opportunities than otherwise would be available to a struggling hitter.

Kjerstad appeared in his 51^st game last night, making his 18th start in right. He’s made 25 in left and served as designated hitter in one game.

Opportunities aren’t the issue here. It’s the results, which lowered his average to .185 with a .231 on-base percentage and .308 slugging percentage heading into last night.

Kjerstad tripled on Sunday, the first of his career, but was picked off third base. He broke an 0-for-20 streak and was 3-for-38 in his past 10 games.

Batting eighth last night against Mariners right-hander George Kirby, Kjerstad lined a 96.5 mph fastball up the middle for a one-out single in the second inning and lined out to left field to end the fourth. He lined to center on Sunday, and to third and left field on Saturday.