López, Mountcastle, Mancini and 'pen team for 4-1 win (updated)

López, Mountcastle, Mancini and 'pen team for 4-1 win (updated)
Jorge López still doesn't have a smudge on his first-inning work this season, stranding a runner tonight and pumping his sinker at 96-98 mph. Opponents have four hits in 25 at-bats. How far would he venture into his latest start? That's always the curiosity with López. Ryan Mountcastle attacked the first pitch thrown to him leading off the second inning and drove it deep into the left field seats. How far it traveled wasn't as important as the way he's climbed back into the cleanup...

Jorge López clears fifth-inning hurdle and O's beat Red Sox

Jorge López clears fifth-inning hurdle and O's beat Red Sox
He's been pitching better lately and tonight Orioles right-hander Jorge López got past a big obstacle - the fifth inning. Entering this outing tonight - his seventh of the 2021 season - López had an ERA of 3.00 when pitching in the first four innings of his starts. But his ERA in the fifth inning was 42.43. That is not good. He had allowed 11 earned runs over 2 1/3 innings. And opponents had eight hits in 14 at-bats, including three homers, against him in that inning. But there he went...

O's game blog: Trying to avoid a four-game sweep

O's game blog: Trying to avoid a four-game sweep
After losses by 6-2, 11-6 and 4-3 on Sunday afternoon, the Orioles host Boston tonight at Camden Yards. It's the final game of a four-game series that Boston has won and now will try to sweep. When the 2021 season began, the Orioles swept three straight from Boston at Fenway Park. The scores were 3-0, 4-2 and 11-3. In that series, O's pitchers held Boston to five runs on 15 hits and pitched to an ERA of 1.67. The Orioles scored more runs (11) and had more hits (17) in the final game of that...

Akin recalled, Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Akin recalled, Orioles and Red Sox lineups
The Orioles swapped out left-handers this afternoon, recalling Keegan Akin from Triple-A Norfolk and optioning Zac Lowther to the Tides. Akin threw two innings Friday night in his first start with the Tides and he's available in relief tonight. He was on the mound this afternoon for pitchers' fielding practice. Lowther made his first major league start Saturday night against the Red Sox and allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings. Trying to avoid a four-game sweep at home, the Orioles are...

Orioles can't hold lead in sixth and lose 4-3 (updated)

Orioles can't hold lead in sixth and lose 4-3 (updated)
The bullpen was a bit shaken by having too many relievers stir last night, reaching the point where a utility infielder finally had to pitch. And the Orioles couldn't provide any reinforcements this afternoon, instead subtracting Dillon Tate due to a hamstring injury and expanding their bench. Dean Kremer was coming off his finest start and the Orioles were in dire need of a duplication this afternoon against the Red Sox, leaders in just about every offensive category in the majors, including...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Shortstop Freddy Galvis did some light running this morning, took early batting practice and stayed in the lineup for today's game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Galvis was removed from last night's game to improve his chances of playing today. He's still working through some soreness in his adductor/groin. Last night's game produced Galvis' fourth home run of the season and 99th of his career. He also extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games and is batting .368...

Lowther struggles in first start, Valaika pitches in 11-6 loss

Lowther struggles in first start, Valaika pitches in 11-6 loss
The first major league start tonight for left-hander Zac Lowther also came with his first jams, runs scored and mound visits. By the time Lowther notched his second strikeout of the evening, he had thrown 49 pitches and surrendered four runs. The game was headed to the bottom of the second inning. The bullpen stayed quiet, with manager Brandon Hyde giving the rookie room to work and grow. A spot start, if that's what it was, didn't come with a short leash. Hyde had to tighten it in the third....

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)
The Orioles recalled Zac Lowther today, taking him from the alternate training site to the taxi squad to the majors for his first major league start and second appearance. Lowther tossed a scoreless ninth inning in his debut on April 25 against the Athletics at Camden Yards. The No. 11 prospect in the system per MLBPipeline.com was optioned and joined the Orioles for their West Coast trip. A start is needed tonight with Bruce Zimmermann optioned, and Lowther gets the assignment, with a spot...

Orioles spot starter still a secret

Orioles spot starter still a secret
The Orioles are going to need a spot starter for Saturday night at Camden Yards, the pitcher's identity withheld as they finish their series today in Seattle and board a flight home. Optioning left-hander Bruce Zimmermann has created an opening and the Orioles decided again to move it up, as they did after removing Dean Kremer from the roster. "Right now it's our friend TBA," manager Brandon Hyde said in today's Zoom call. This could indicate a bullpen game, the course chosen after Kremer...

Orioles and Mariners lineups, news of Ray Miller's passing

Orioles and Mariners lineups, news of Ray Miller's passing
Freddy Galvis is out of the Orioles lineup this afternoon for their series finale in Seattle that also concludes their road trip. Ramón Urías is the shortstop and Pat Valaika is starting at second base. Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays continue to bat 1-2 in the order. Ryan Mountcastle is the first baseman and Trey Mancini is the designated hitter. Left-hander John Means will try to maintain his roll. He's posted a 1.70 ERA, 0.838 WHIP and .163 average against in six starts and has allowed...

The RISP issues and a look at opening night on the farm

The RISP issues and a look at opening night on the farm
For the Orioles, it has been a recurring problem with their offense: a lack of clutch hits. This issue showed up again big time in the second game of the Seattle series Tuesday night. The Orioles had the bases loaded and one out in the second inning. They had bases loaded and two outs in the sixth and the same situation in the eighth. The last two times, catcher Chance Sisco grounded out in each instance to end the threat. He went hitless and is now batting .162 with a .414 OPS. He had company...

O's hit two homers in eighth, rally to beat M's (with quotes)

O's hit two homers in eighth, rally to beat M's (with quotes)
If one of the Orioles' goals tonight was to get right-hander Dean Kremer back on track, they did that. But could his strong outing lead to a win in the series opener at Seattle? It was a night where Seattle went with a bullpen game. And that actually was not great news for the Orioles. The Mariners bullpen began the game first in the majors in 'pen ERA at 2.30 and second in WHIP and batting average against. And for seven innings, five Mariners pitchers kept the Orioles off the board. And...

Stewart removed from tonight's lineup, Zimmermann optioned

Stewart removed from tonight's lineup, Zimmermann optioned
Removing one player from tonight's Orioles lineup led to a massive shuffling of personnel. Outfielder DJ Stewart is a late scratch due to stiffness in his lower back. Manager Brandon Hyde said Stewart is receiving treatment and is "kind of day-to-day right now." When the dust settled, Pat Valaika wound up at second base rather than sitting on the bench among three reserves. Rio Ruiz moved from second base to third and Maikel Franco is the designated hitter, with Trey Mancini at first base...

Orioles and Mariners lineups

Orioles and Mariners lineups
Rio Ruiz, who had a pinch-hit double yesterday in Oakland, is starting at second base tonight for the series opener against the Mariners in Seattle. Ryan Mountcastle is starting at first base. He's hit safely in seven straight games, going 9-for-26 (.346). Trey Mancini is 9-for-28 (.321) with six RBIs in his last seven games. He's the designated hitter. Pedro Severino, who's catching tonight, is 6-for-18 (.333) in his last five games. He's reached base in 10 straight. Freddy Galvis is in...

Galvis on getting back in lineup and trying to maintain a hot bat

Galvis on getting back in lineup and trying to maintain a hot bat
Just when he was starting to hit on a team that could have used some offense, new Orioles shortstop Freddy Galvis had to miss four games. He suffered a sore left adductor/groin on April 26 against the New York Yankees. But he was back in the lineup over the weekend, starting at short for the last two games of the series at Oakland. "I think it was like little by little," Galvis said via Zoom of that issue that kept him briefly on the bench. " After we came from Texas and Miami, where they...

There were good signs over the weekend for the offense

There were good signs over the weekend for the offense
It was at least a small step forward over the weekend at Oakland for the Orioles on offense. They scored 16 runs on 28 hits, batting .264 for the three games with four doubles and four home runs. There was no offensive explosion, but there seemed to be less chasing of pitches and more clutch hits. Again, no outpouring of clutch hitting, but seeing Trey Mancini, Freddy Galvis and Austin Hays get run-producing hits with two outs was a step forward in Sunday's 7-5 loss. The Orioles have lost just...

Orioles lineup vs. Athletics (updated)

Orioles lineup vs. Athletics (updated)
Shortstop Freddy Galvis played five innings yesterday in his return from a sore left adductor, and he's in the lineup again today as the Orioles attempt to complete the sweep in Oakland. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter again and Trey Mancini is the first baseman. The outfield corners are the same, too. Austin Hays in left and DJ Stewart in right. Pedro Severino is catching despite being hit on the right wrist yesterday by a foul ball and a pitch in the same inning. Rookie left-hander...

Orioles ride big inning to 8-4 win (updated)

Orioles ride big inning to 8-4 win (updated)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde watched César Valdez wiggle out of a jam last night to preserve the slimmest of leads, tossed a few compliments at his closer and pointed out how it would be easier on everyone if his club didn't skimp on the runs. "It would be nice," Hyde said, "to score a couple more to give a little breathing room in the ninth for all of our pitchers." Matt Harvey stepped out of the dugout for the bottom of the third today with a six-run lead. A direct path to the mound...

Orioles and Athletics lineups (updated)

Orioles and Athletics lineups (updated)
Freddy Galvis has returned to the Orioles lineup today, batting seventh against the Athletics in Oakland. Galvis, previously out with a sore left adductor, is batting .348/.400/.630 (16-for-46) in his last 15 games. He slashed .115/.179/.154 (3-for-26) in his first seven. "He got off to a slow start offensively," manager Brandon Hyde said today in his Zoom call. "Really, like the last week to two weeks before he had a little bit of the groin soreness, I think you started seeing better...

O's pregame notes on Franco, Galvis, Mountcastle and more

O's pregame notes on Franco, Galvis, Mountcastle and more
The Orioles will be without their usual left side of the infield, at least at the start, when they take the field tonight for Game 1 of a three-game series at Oakland. Neither Maikel Franco, who has made 23 starts at third base, nor Freddy Galvis, who has made 22 at shortstop, are in tonight's lineup for the series opener. Galvis has missed the last three games and has not played since Monday night when he suffered a sore left adductor/groin when running out a double. Franco had started every...