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?

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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 10^th 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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

If left-hander Bruce Zimmermann is getting a reset in the minors, Justin Ramsey is one of the most important people trusted to push the right buttons.

The Orioles gave Zimmermann 13 starts before making the hard decision to send him down to Triple-A Norfolk. They didn’t want to create another hole in their rotation and try to piece together innings with heavy bullpen usage. They didn’t want to demote a pitcher, the Baltimore native, who broke camp as their No. 4 starter and stood on the mound for the home opener.

They didn’t have much choice. Zimmermann allowed 35 earned runs in his last 36 1/3 innings and surrendered 17 home runs, bringing his total to 18 that tied for most in the majors.

The 14 2/3 scoreless innings to begin the season couldn’t save his job.

Ramsey, in his first season as Tides pitching coach, is tasked with getting Zimmermann to a point where the Loyola Blakefield graduate is ready to reclaim it.

The Orioles headed to the West Coast this week and my mailbag stayed in Maryland. A three-hour indifference if you don’t care.

This thing fills up faster than my tear ducts during the last scene of “Field of Dreams.” Have a catch? Yeah, toss me the tissues.

Fans are curious about the trade deadline. Who might go, who might arrive. Buyers or sellers. Live and let die.

Now I’m winging it.

I don’t get it.
This isn’t the interactive part.

The Orioles will try to earn another series win this afternoon following last night’s 2-0 loss to the Mariners.

Dean Kremer’s seven scoreless innings lowered his ERA to 1.29, but the Orioles were held to one hit. Kremer has registered 18 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.

Austin Voth makes his third appearance and sixth start today with the Orioles. He’s been stretched out to three innings and 47 pitches, and manager Brandon Hyde will try to bump him a little further.

Voth has allowed one run in a combined 5 2/3 innings in his two starts, and he’s struck out seven batters. He’s never faced the Mariners.

Adley Rutschman is catching after serving last night as the designated hitter. He stole his first career base.

The Orioles knew that it was time.

The individual performances and the calendar dictated that outfielder Colton Cowser and infielders Coby Mayo and Connor Norby should rise to the next level of the farm system. Putting them together at Double-A Bowie. And in the same lineup last night, occupying the top three spots.

Three of the top 10 prospects in the organization, according to MLBPipeline.com.

Cowser, the fifth-overall selection in last year’s draft, homered in his first at-bat and went 3-for-3 with a walk. Norby, batting leadoff, singled and walked.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what these guys are going to do in Bowie,” said executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias.

Pitching is the No. 1 reason why the Orioles are better in 2022 than past years of the rebuild. And it’s inexplicable in a sense.

We can break down the numbers, but how is the rotation able to withstand the loss of ace John Means for the rest of the season? Followed by the demotion of left-hander Bruce Zimmermann, who allowed 17 home runs in his last seven starts, and rookie Kyle Bradish’s slump and placement on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

Bullpen games are plotted and won. Tyler Wells, last year’s Rule 5 reliever who earned the closer’s job, entered last night’s game in Seattle as easily the most dependable starter on the staff.

Spenser Watkins was No. 5 in the rotation, injured and optioned. He returned Saturday in Chicago, the guy who re-signed with the Orioles in November as a minor league free agent, and allowed just an unearned run in five innings. The Tigers released him in 2020.

Austin Voth was a waiver claim, which made him a perfect fit on this team, and viewed as a potential starter down the line. He was needed more as a long reliever, to stretch him out as much as anything.