Orioles lineup in Bradenton against Pittsburgh (update, Diaz scratched)

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BRADENTON, Fla. – The Orioles have taken the short ride north for their latest road game, taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Orioles (7-9-2) split two games on Monday, beating Detroit 11-7 at home and losing to Atlanta 6-5 in North Port in a game that was shortened to seven innings by rain.

The Orioles hit eight homers yesterday, six in Sarasota and two in North Port. They have scored 67 runs the past 10 games. 

Orioles closer Félix Bautista will make his long-awaiting spring debut today and is scheduled to pitch the first inning after being held out of games to this point. He has thrown several bullpen sessions and checked all the boxes he needed to get to this point. Now the Orioles hope the final two weeks plus will be enough time for him to be ready for Opening Day and they are confident he will be. It’s a nice step for him today here in Bradenton.

Right-hander Tyler Wells (0-1, 7.71 ERA) is expected to follow Bautista to the mound this afternoon at LECOM Park. Wells has allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He last pitched last Thursday in Clearwater against the Phillies allowing one run over 2 2/3 innings. Bruce Zimmermann is also scheduled to pitch for the Orioles.

Terrin Vavra, who is batting .474 (9-for-19) is leading off today and playing second base. Adley Rutschman hits second and will catch. Heston Kjerstad, who hit his third homer Monday against Atlanta, will bat eighth and play in right field and Colton Cowser hits ninth and plays in center.

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Orioles injury updates before today's game in Sarasota

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SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde provided some significant health and workout updates this morning, rattling off the morning advancements from a sheet of paper.

Got to keep it straight, and there were quite a few.

Left-hander DL Hall, who’s recovered from the discomfort in his lower back, completed a bullpen session today. Hyde said it “went well,” and Hall will throw live batting practice in a few days.

Closer Félix Bautista, who’s been restricted to bullpens while receiving treatments on his left knee and working to strengthen his right shoulder, also will threw live BP in the next few days.

Left-hander Nick Vespi, who underwent hernia surgery in January, will pitch in a simulated game later this week. Vespi remains confident that he’ll be ready for Opening Day if the Orioles want to bring him north.

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O's game blog: Looking to extend a winning streak

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After recording their fourth 1-0 win of the year Friday night against Pittsburgh, the Orioles host the Pirates again today and a win in either of the next two games will give them their 16th series win of the year. They are 15-14-4 in series play thus far through the Texas series.

The 1-0 win came via a six-hitter which was a combined effort of right-handers Dean Kremer and Félix Bautista and lefty Cionel Pérez. Kremer allowed four hits over 6 1/3 innings and his ERA had been 6.94 his previous five starts. Pérez got five big outs and lowered his ERA to 1.15. Bautista got the final three outs, the last two on strikeouts with two men in the ninth. It was his fourth save, but first save chance since the trade of former closer Jorge López to Minnesota.

The O’s have won four in a row and their pitchers have allowed just seven earned runs in those four wins. Last night was Baltimore’s 10th shutout of the year and second in the last eight games. The team ERA is 2.57 in those eight games.

Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Kremer is the first Baltimore pitcher since Jim Palmer in 1978 to start three games in a season that ended in 1-0 O's wins. The Orioles won their fourth 1-0 game, the most by an MLB team since the San Francisco Giants won five in 2019. The last year in which the Birds won four games by a 1-0 score was 1983, and before 2022, the O's did not have a 1-0 win since July 4, 2018 versus Texas.

In the last turn through the pitching rotation, Austin Voth, Spenser Watkins, Jordan Lyles, Kyle Bradish and Kremer have allowed three earned runs over 28 2/3 innings for an ERA of 1.14. With the win last night, Kremer improved to 4-3 with a 3.43 ERA.

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Notes on Hays, Wells, outfield defense, Vavra, returning Orioles, and more

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Austin Hays is out of the lineup again tonight with tightness and soreness in his left oblique, as he described it earlier today at his locker.

Hays also didn’t play Wednesday afternoon in Texas.

“I’m feeling better today,” he said. “We’re just trying to be careful with it. I don’t want to go out there and blow it out when I’m feeling some type of way, because those are very tricky injuries to try to come back from. So, it’s nothing super concerning right now. We’re just trying to make sure it’s 100 percent when I go out there.”

Manager Brandon Hyde said Hays is day-to-day. In the meantime, Brett Phillips gets his first start with the Orioles as the left fielder.

“The good news is it’s improving daily,” Hyde said. “A lot better on the day off, better even more today. Hopefully, it continues to trend that way. It sounds like it is.

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Orioles lineup vs. Pirates

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Austin Hays remains out of the Orioles’ lineup tonight with soreness in his left side.

Brett Phillips makes his first Orioles start, playing left field for the series opener against the Pirates.

Terrin Vavra is the designated hitter tonight.

Ryan Mountcastle is looking for his first home run since July 3. He’s 5-for-46 in his last 12 games.

Dean Kremer has allowed 13 runs and 23 hits in his last three starts over 13 2/3 innings.

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Sipp strengthening shoulder, acknowledges game speed is tougher than expected

Sipp strengthening shoulder, acknowledges game speed is tougher than expected
Left-hander Tony Sipp continues to build strength in his shoulder even as the season heads into its fourth week. Sipp said working to strengthen his shoulder has been the focus for him since spring training. But Sipp signed late with the Nationals this offseason, so this first month with the team has felt like an extended spring training as he works the shoulder back to where he can throw every pitch and full velocity and torque. There have been some rough appearances to begin the season for...
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Scherzer makes adjustment; Martinez glad to give Taylor start

Scherzer makes adjustment; Martinez glad to give Taylor start
After allowing three runs in the first three innings Sunday, right-hander Max Scherzer prevented the Pirates from scoring again under his watch. Pittsburgh went five innings without scoring another run because Scherzer switched up his sequencing, focusing more on employing his curveball, thanks to suggestions from pitching coach Derek Lilliquist and catcher Yan Gomes. "I think it was more when I kind of sat there with Yan and Lilly and thought we just needed to start throwing more...
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Scherzer, Suero come up a bit short in 4-3 loss to Pirates

Scherzer, Suero come up a bit short in 4-3 loss to Pirates
Right-hander Max Scherzer went eight strong innings to keep the Nationals in the game, but a late clutch base hit by Jason Martin helped the Pirates to a 4-3 victory and a series win at Nats Park. Scherzer allowed only three runs on seven hits, struck out seven with one walk. He fired 98 pitches, 71 for strikes in finishing eight innings. Pittsburgh's Josh Bell continued a big series, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, three runs and two RBIs. He is batting .378 over the last 10 games. It was...
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Bucs get to Scherzer early, Kendrick hits again (Nats fall 4-3)

Bucs get to Scherzer early, Kendrick hits again (Nats fall 4-3)
The Pirates pulled off a rare feat in the first inning, connecting on three hits for two early runs against right-hander Max Scherzer. In his first three starts, Scherzer had allowed two or fewer earned runs in two of those games. Josh Bell had an RBI double and Colin Moran dropped in a run-scoring single. The Nationals quickly got on the board in the bottom of the first against right-hander Jameson Taillon. Adam Eaton led off with a single and stole second base. Howie Kendrick continued his...
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Corbin "felt good" with slider, goes seven strong in no-decision

Corbin "felt good" with slider, goes seven strong in no-decision
One would not blame Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin if he became upset after pitching another gem and seeing the bullpen give it away late. But Corbin remained calm even without the decision, tossing seven solid innings on a rainy Friday night at Nats Park. He allowed only a Josh Bell solo homer in the second inning and then three other hits, striking out 11 and walking one. Corbin fired 106 pitches, 65 for strikes, but the Nats fell to the Pirates, 6-3 in 10 innings. "Felt good," Corbin...
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Corbin helps own cause with RBI single (Nats fall 6-3 in 10)

Corbin helps own cause with RBI single (Nats fall 6-3 in 10)
Pittsburgh scored first against Nationals southpaw Patrick Corbin. In the second, Josh Bell led off with a solo homer over the left-center field wall on 0-1 count. Corbin then struck out two and forced a groundout to end the inning. The Nats quickly answered in the bottom of the second. Pirates starter Trevor Williams walked Ryan Zimmerman and Wilmer Difo. Corbin helped his own cause with an RBI single to left field to tie the game 1-1. Corbin allowed a single to Erick González in the third...
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Opposite dugout: Pirates quickly losing the wind in their sails

Opposite dugout: Pirates quickly losing the wind in their sails
Manager: Clint Hurdle (8th season) Record: 41-48 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Starling Marte (.278 with 10 HR, 22 SB); LF Corey Dickerson (.308 with 92 hits, 19 2B); 1B Josh Bell (76 hits, 42 RBIs); RHP Trevor Williams (6-7, 4.60 ERA); RHP Ivan Nova (4-6, 4.48 ERA); LHP Felipe Vázquez (3.38 ERA, 18 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 0-4 Pitching probables: July 9: RHP Erick Fedde (1-3) vs. RHP Ivan Nova (4-6); 7:00 p.m., MASN2July 10: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (2-1) vs. RHP Joe Musgrove...
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Turner and Zimmerman finally reap results of hard hit balls

Turner and Zimmerman finally reap results of hard hit balls
The Nationals brought the power again in the series finale against the Pirates, winning 3-1 thanks to home runs from Trea Turner and Ryan Zimmerman. For Turner, it was only his second homer of the season. It was a big hit for the shortstop, who has had his first 30 games of the season highlighted by his walk rate and stolen bases. Turner's two-run shot got the Nats on the board against Pirates starter Trevor Williams, 2-0 in the sixth.t Turner went 1-for-4 on the afternoon, but his batting...
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Martinez pulls Hellickson third time through order (Nats win 3-1)

Martinez pulls Hellickson third time through order (Nats win 3-1)
Nationals manager Davey Martinez has made it mandatory to watch right-hander Jeremy Hellickson as he makes his way through his starts, especially the third time through the order. In his last start, Hellickson had allowed only one run through five innings on a David Peralta solo homer against the Diamondbacks April 28. Peralta came up for the third time in the sixth and hit another homer. After Hellickson retired Jarrod Dyson, he was pulled. He had registered 56 pitches. Martinez said...
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Game 32 lineups: Pirates at Nats

Game 32 lineups: Pirates at Nats
The Nationals have a chance today for their first four-game sweep of the season as they battle the Pittsburgh Pirates in the series finale. With a win, the Nats get back to the .500 mark for the first time since April 20. Manager Davey Martinez believes they have found something with their new lineup. Bryce Harper will stay in the leadoff spot, with Matt Adams in the No. 3 hole. Ryan Zimmerman and Matt Wieters return to the lineup after a day off. Wilmer Difo has done a very nice job in the No....
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One, two, three: Nats new lineup connects again in 9-3 runaway

One, two, three: Nats new lineup connects again in 9-3 runaway
One, two, three. The Nationals' top of the order, in it's present form, is clicking. Bryce Harper leading off has been a find. Trea Turner can still do Trea Turner things from the two-hole. Matt Adams has been scorching the ball and the Nats have taken full advantage of his hot bat in the No. 3 spot. All this adds up to another runaway win against the Bucs as the Nats win, 9-3. The trio at the top of the order has combined for 11 hits, five homers, 10 runs and 14 RBIs in these last two...
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Harper hits first career leadoff homer (Nats win 9-3)

Harper hits first career leadoff homer (Nats win 9-3)
I think Bryce Harper likes batting leadoff. In his first game of the season batting from the leadoff spot in the order on Tuesday night, Harper hit a three run shot in his third at-bat. Wednesday night, he hit a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first against Pirates starter Ivan Nova. Matt Adams, who hit two homers Tuesday, dropped in an opposite field homer over the left field wall. The Pirates got on the board in the first thanks to a pair of one-out singles by Gregory Polanco and Starling...
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Rendon headed to rehab games, notes on Adams and Difo

Rendon headed to rehab games, notes on Adams and Difo
It looks like third baseman Anthony Rendon is very close to returning to the active roster. Rendon has gone through full batting practice each of the last two pregames for the Nationals. He has been on the 10-day disabled list with a left toe contusion since April 19. Rendon will start a rehab assignment for high Single-A Potomac as they take on Wilmington Thursday and Salem Friday in Woodbridge, Va. "He's going out tomorrow," said manager Davey Martinez. "He'll play one or two games. He...
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Scherzer's quality start almost unnoticed after Nats offense ignites

Scherzer's quality start almost unnoticed after Nats offense ignites
You know the Nationals are trending towards their 2017 version when a quality start by their top starting pitcher doesn't make headlines thanks to their powerful offense awakening for the first time in six days. The Nats pummeled the Pirates 12-4 behind four homers, two from Matt Adams, one from Wilmer Difo and powerful three-run shot from Bryce Harper. By the way, Max Scherzer pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on three hits. He registered eight strikeouts and two walks in 106...
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Difo goes yard, Harper hits 3-run HR (Nats defeat Pirates 12-4)

Difo goes yard, Harper hits 3-run HR (Nats defeat Pirates 12-4)
The Nationals get on the board first on a home run from an unlikely source. Third baseman Wilmer Difo, batting out of the No. 9 hole, crushed a Chad Kuhl pitch over the right-center field wall in the bottom of the third. It was Difo's first home run since August 30, 2017, against Miami. Trea Turner reached on a fielding error by third baseman Colin Moran. But for the first time this season, Turner was caught stealing on a throw from catcher Francisco Cervelli to shortstop Jordy Mercer at...
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