Orioles lineup vs. Angels

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The Orioles will try tonight to win their sixth game in a row and move three below .500 for the first time since April 23.

They’re 22-17 at home, winning nine of their last 12.

Tyler Wells has lowered his ERA to 3.09 and his WHIP to 1.004 in 16 starts. He’s given the Orioles five quality starts despite the restrictions on his pitch counts, and he’s held opponents to three runs in his last four outings over 22 innings.

Wells hasn’t started against the Angels. He made three relief appearances last summer, retired all 12 batters and struck out four.

Tyler Nevin is starting at third base, giving his father, Phil, a chance to watch from one of the suites. Phil is the Angels’ interim manager who’s serving the final game of his suspension from the brawl with the Mariners.

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Means on improved Orioles: "You can feel that there’s a change coming"

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John Means has always wanted to visit Wrigley Field, and his chance finally arrives next week for the Orioles’ short series against the Cubs.

Means never imagined that he’d be injured and done pitching for the entire summer, but he’ll make the most of it.

“Those were games I circled on the list to try to make it to,” he said.

The left-hander came back to Camden Yards for the current homestand and will join them on the charter to Chicago. He can hop on a flight back to his Texas home while the Orioles continue their road trip in St. Petersburg.

The activity at home beyond chasing his son McCoy is limited to workouts in the weight room that don’t put a strain on his surgically repaired left elbow.

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Rutschman wears homer chain at home and Lyles holds down Angels in 4-1 win (updated)

Rutschman wears homer chain at home and Lyles holds down Angels in 4-1 win (updated)

Rougned Odor stood on the grass in front of the Orioles’ dugout tonight and waited to hug Adley Rutschman in the second inning, a tight embrace that lasted almost as long as the ball’s flight before it landed in front of the railing above the scoreboard in right and bounced onto the field.

Robinson Chirinos held up the home run chain on the top step, placed it around the catcher’s neck, threw both arms around him and patted his back.

Rutschman removed his helmet first. A veteran move by the rookie.

Fans rose in unison and roared, aware that Rutschman’s fourth major league home run was also his first at Camden Yards. And they got to witness it.

They also saw Jordan Lyles grind early and hold the Angels to one run in six-plus innings, Ryan Mountcastle celebrate his return to the lineup with a run-scoring double and sacrifice fly, and the Orioles win their season-high fifth game in a row, 4-1.

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Notes on Bradish, Nevin, wild card race and more

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Kyle Bradish is making at least one appearance on an injury rehab assignment.

Bradish will start for Double-A Bowie in Saturday night’s game at Somerset. He’s on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

The Orioles could activate Bradish next week, depending on whether they decide that he’s built up and ready to face major league hitters again. The other alternative would be to option him to Triple-A Norfolk.

Bradish is 1-4 with a 7.38 ERA and 1.770 WHIP in 10 starts. He allowed 11 runs and 20 hits in 8 2/3 innings in his last two games, and didn’t complete the fifth in his last five.

The initial plan of having Bradish pitch in a simulated game today at Camden Yards was scrapped in favor of Saturday's rehab start.

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Orioles lineup vs. Angels

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Tyler Nevin’s father is in town tonight with the Angels arriving in Baltimore for a four-game series.

Phil Nevin is the interim manager serving two more games of his suspension related to the June 26 brawl between the Angels and Mariners. He returns to the dugout on Saturday.

Tyler is on the bench tonight, but Ryan Mountcastle has worked past a sinus infection and is starting at first base.

Austin Hays is playing left field Jonathan Araúz gets the start at third base.

Adley Rutschman is catching and batting sixth.

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Leftovers for breakfast

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Ryan McKenna doesn’t step up to the plate with the intent to hit a home run. He has the power but isn’t going to flex.

When McKenna’s fly ball in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s game cleared the vaunted left field wall, he broke a tie – another temporary lead – and delivered the first go-ahead hit of his career.

The home run was his third in 288 plate appearances, and his first since last September.

The ball left McKenna’s bat at 103 mph. The 396 feet were sufficient.

Was he confident that it would land in the seats?

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Watkins sets career high for innings and López earns save to complete sweep (updated)

Watkins sets career high for innings and López earns save to complete sweep (updated)

The Orioles won’t turn away a walk-off win and all of the dramatics that go along with it. The late lead changes, the heart-pounding drama. And the complaints will be kept to a minimum when it happens in extra innings in consecutive games.

Manager Brandon Hyde held the double-edged sword earlier today while revisiting last night’s insanity, how the Orioles became the first team in major league history to surrender tying or go-ahead home runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth without losing.

Happy for the comebacks, pained by the reasons behind them.

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,” he said.

“We can laugh about it now. Last night I wasn’t laughing at it.”

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Hays in Orioles lineup tonight while Mountcastle sits again

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Austin Hays has returned to the Orioles’ lineup tonight after doing some early hitting and informing the club that his right wrist is fine.

Hays didn’t play last night and had the wrist wrapped after being hit by a pitch Monday afternoon. He’s starting in left field, with Ryan McKenna in right and Anthony Santander serving as the designated hitter.

Ryan Mountcastle took about 30 swings in the cage this afternoon and isn’t ready to return. He’s taking medication for a sinus infection that’s left him feeling a bit woozy.

Mountcastle is optimistic about being in the lineup Thursday night against the Angels to begin a four-game series.

“He still doesn’t feel great,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Hoping he’s available off the bench again like he was last night.”

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Orioles recall Sulser, option Vespi, claim McCarty and DFA Diplán

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The Orioles discussed potential bullpen moves after last night’s wild 10-9, 10-inning victory over the Rangers and decided upon Beau Sulser, who’s been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. He was on the taxi squad during the last road trip.

Left-hander Nick Vespi was optioned to Norfolk after last night’s game. Vespi was charged with six runs in one-third of an inning on June 29 in Seattle, tossed 1 1/3 scoreless with three strikeouts Monday against the Rangers, and served up a game-tying three-run homer last night to Norfolk native Nathaniel Lowe in the eighth.

Sulser has made one appearance with the Orioles and allowed two runs and seven hits in three innings. He has a 3.20 ERA in seven games with the Tides.

Marcos Diplán appeared to be a candidate to rejoin the Orioles, but they designated him for assignment and claimed left-hander Kirk McCarty off waivers from the Guardians. McCarty has been optioned to Norfolk.

The 40-man roster remains at full capacity.

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Santander still ignoring trade speculation

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The chatter starts again, which requires Anthony Santander to tune out. Just ignore it. Can’t control it and won’t let it distract.

The trade deadline arrives on Aug. 2, a few days later than usual. Deals can be consummated at any time leading to it, and Santander remains one of the Orioles’ most attractive chips.

A hamstring injury lessened his value last summer. Santander struggled with it and his numbers suffered. But teams checked on his availability during the winter, with the Marlins one of the most interested.

Santander is healthy in 2022 and leading the Orioles in home runs with 15, five short of his career high in 2019. His 31 walks are the most in his career. The .325 on-base percentage is the highest.

The speculation that he could be traded will peak, as well.

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Orioles lose three leads before defeating Rangers in 10 innings (updated)

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The Orioles didn’t post their lineup today until the clubhouse closed to the media and manager Brandon Hyde finished his daily briefing. Much later than usual. Not the way he wants it done.

Hyde knew that Austin Hays wouldn’t play due to a sore right wrist, but he had to wait on Ryan Mountcastle, whose sinus issues restricted him to designated hitter duties yesterday, and Jorge Mateo, who was hit by a fastball on the left quadriceps to force in the winning run in the 10th inning.

Only Mateo made it into the lineup, leaving Hyde with few healthy players on the bench.

Mateo delivered an RBI single in the second inning, stole his 20th base and raced home on Cedric Mullins’ two-run double. The leg was fine.

So, too, were the Orioles, after squandering leads of four and three runs, and watching a one-run lead disappear in the ninth.

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This, that and the other

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Dean Kremer’s streak of scoreless innings ended yesterday at 22 2/3 after the Rangers loaded the bases in the fifth on three singles, Adolis García lifted a sacrifice fly, Nathaniel Lowe tied the game with a single on a two-strike pitch, and Mitch Garver followed with a three-run homer.

The Elias Sports Bureau and STATS don't credit Kremer for the two outs he recorded in the inning. Otherwise, it would have been 23 1/3.

Kremer had gone three consecutive starts for the Orioles without allowing an earned run, tying the club record shared by nine other pitchers, per STATS research.

Matt Harvey was the most recent last season.

Here’s the list:

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Wells impresses again and late Orioles lead is secured to avoid sweep (updated)

Wells impresses again and late Orioles lead is secured to avoid sweep (updated)

MINNEAPOLIS – Tyler Wells has turned from experimental starter to staff ace.

There’s no disputing it. He’s reached that status. The proof is in the output.

Wells didn’t allow a baserunner in Seattle until Cal Raleigh homered with two outs in the fifth inning. He didn’t surrender a hit today until Nick Gordon doubled with one out in the fifth.

Given more room to operate in Minnesota, Wells held the Twins to one run in six innings and 90 pitches. The Orioles supported him with three home runs in the first six innings and avoided the sweep with a 3-1 victory.

The Orioles ended their four-game losing streak and a 12-game streak at Target Field, and they finished 5-5 on the road trip.

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Mancini takes a beating and keeps on playing

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MINNEAPOLIS – Trey Mancini stayed in the Orioles lineup this afternoon after Sonny Gray drilled him on the right elbow yesterday with a 92 mph sinker in the fourth inning to load the bases.

The Orioles didn’t score, which also hurt.

“The ulnar nerve, I think it’s called. The funny bone,” Mancini said today.

No one is laughing.

“I’m good enough,” he said. “I’ve missed more games than I would have liked for a whole season already at this point, and if I feel like I can play without it affecting my performance … It hurts, but it’s not like the other one. When I got hit on my hand, I couldn’t close it the next day, so if I feel like I can play without it affecting my performance, I’m going to be in there.

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Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups

MINNEAPOLIS – Adley Rutschman is back behind the plate for today’s series finale at Target Field that also closes out a three-city road trip.

The Orioles are attempting to end a four-game losing streak, and 12 in a row in Minnesota. They’ve suffered back-to-back walk-off loses over the weekend.

Cedric Mullins is out of the lineup. Ryan McKenna starts in center field.

Austin Hays is in left and Anthony Santander is in right.

Richie Martin is the shortstop today.

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How will the Orioles make room on their roster?

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MINNEAPOLIS - The Orioles are closing out their series in Minnesota today, and their road trip, with the same infield options on their roster.

Change is coming.

Ramón Urías began his injury rehab assignment last night at Double-A Bowie, starting at third base and going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and committing a fielding error. He hadn’t played since June 9, due to a strained left oblique, or received an at-bat since June 7.

There’s bound to be some rust. And the Orioles will be careful to make sure he doesn’t experience any setbacks with an injury that requires a lengthy period of inactivity.

Urías hasn’t been the same hitter who crafted a .279/.361/.412 line in 296 plate appearances, but he can move around the infield and has some pop. His six home runs in 188 plate appearances are one fewer than he totaled last season, but he’s slashing .225/.273/.387.

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Lyles pushes through early struggles but López can't escape his own (updated)

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MINNEAPOLIS – Jordan Lyles keeps it pretty basic.

Just give him the ball and don’t try to take it back. Let him push deep into games, ignoring the pitch count, and protect “the boys” in the bullpen who shouldn’t have to finish his work.

Lyles has volunteered to move up a day in the rotation because he wants to spare manager Brandon Hyde the task of finding a fill-in starter based on injuries or a weather-induced doubleheader.

“When Jordan’s on the mound,” Hyde said earlier today, “you know you’re going to get a pro start.”

Sometimes, it’s much more. And many times, it just isn't enough.

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Hyde on injury updates, Mancini back in lineup, trust in López, and more

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MINNEAPOLIS – Infielder Ramón Urías is expected to begin his injury rehab assignment tonight with Double-A Bowie.

Urías hasn’t played since June 9 due to a strained left oblique. Jonathan Araúz and Tyler Nevin are handling third base, and Richie Martin is available to share second base duties with Rougned Odor.

Starter Kyle Bradish threw on flat ground yesterday without any discomfort in his right shoulder, and he’ll have a bullpen session Sunday morning.

“Encouraged by both of those things,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Good to see Kyle start to get ramped up a little bit, going through his throwing progression, and Ramón in some game action.”

“Hopefully there aren’t any setbacks and he stays healthy during his rehab assignment.”

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Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups

MINNEAPOLIS – Trey Mancini returns to the Orioles lineup today at Target Field after pinch-hitting last night. He didn’t start due to a sore right hand that required a cortisone injection.

Mancini’s eight-game hitting streak ended last night with his ground ball.

Mancini is playing right field and Anthony Santander is in left. Austin Hays is the designated hitter.

Robinson Chirinos is catching in a day game following a night game. Adley Rutschman is on the bench.

Tyler Nevin starts at third base.

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Ramsey on Hall: "The stuff has been great"

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MINNEAPOLIS - The numbers over the past few starts didn’t impress. They might have concerned fans begging the organization to bring him to the majors as the next elite prospect to make his debut, setting the alarm early on Mondays, when these promotions usually happen.

DL Hall is fine. He’s made 11 starts at the Triple-A level after being held to only seven last summer at Double-A due to a stress reaction in his left elbow. The Orioles slow-played him in the spring, careful to build up his innings at a safe pace.

The nine earned runs (12 total) and 10 walks in 7 2/3 innings in his previous two starts before last night left his ERA at 5.17 and WHIP at 1.591. But he had 59 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings for the season. He allowed one run and struck out 11 in 4 1/3 before those next two starts, which quieted some of the outside talk about promoting him.

Inside the organization, everyone has the same faith in Hall and sees the same qualities that make him profile as a top-of-the-rotation starter.

They were on display last night with four scoreless innings, one hit allowed and eight strikeouts against Gwinnett. The only hit was a bunt single, and Hall exited after 71 pitches.

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