A look at a solid 5-5 start and Sedlock's season debut for Frederick

So the Orioles ended a four-game losing streak with last night's 12-4 win over Oakland. They are 5-5 through 10 games. That start is more impressive when you consider a few things, such as:

* The Orioles have played the Yankees six times.
* They have played six of 10 games on the road.
* They have played seven games versus teams that won 97 or more last year.
* They have played nine games versus the American League East.
* Their bullpen ERA was 7.97 through nine games.
* They have used an opener twice.
* Their starting pitchers have just two quality starts.
* Several players were scuffling on offense before Monday's game.

But on a night when the Orioles defense was strong again, their offense also broke out. The Orioles scored a season high in runs and added a season-best 15 hits that raised the team average for the year from .230 to .249.Their previous high in runs in a game was seven.

The Orioles had one triple all year before last night, when they added three with two by Cedric Mullins and one by Richie Martin. Mullins added a career-high three RBIs. Mullins began last night hitting .091 and Martin started at .087.

Hanser Alberto, who has started three straight games, produced a two-run single during the Orioles' five-run eighth and added several diving stops at third base. He is 8-for-19 on the season, batting .421.

A native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Alberto has somehow kept his spirits up during the wild ride of the last few months. Since November he was claimed off waivers four times by three teams, twice by the Orioles.

"You know, this business is tough," he said. "You have to stay positive. When the opportunity comes, you have to embrace it and be ready for it. It was a crazy winter for me, but I stayed positive and now I'm here. I'm feeling pretty good. Excited to get the opportunity and want to help this team to win any way I can."

Alberto is enjoying being an Oriole the second time around. The club claimed him from the Yankees on Jan. 11. But on Feb. 22, the Giants claimed Alberto off waivers from the Orioles. Then, March 1 he was back, claimed by the Orioles again, this time from San Francisco, where his stay lasted just a few days.

"A good group of guys here, with some young guys and veterans too. There is a lot of talent here," Alberto said.

Keys lose in extras: Three of the Orioles' four full-season minor league affiliates were rained out last night. The only club to play was Single-A Frederick, which lost 8-5 to Fayetteville. Right-hander Cody Sedlock threw well in his season debut for the Keys. Over 5 2/3 innings he gave up two hits and two runs with two walks and a career-high nine strikeouts. He threw 80 pitches and has a 3.18 ERA after one start.

In 2018, Sedlock was limited to just six starts with the Keys. He missed four months due to injury with a shoulder strain and thoracic outlet syndrome. He went 0-2 with a 7.97 ERA with the Keys and threw just 37 innings for the season between three affiliates.

Sedlock, the O's 2016 first-round draft pick, spoke to Keys broadcaster Geoff Arnold about his injuries in 2018 and said: "I knew something was wrong, my shoulder was barking a lot. They did an MRI and it showed no structural damage, so I got a PRP injection and they said it was a shoulder strain. As I started building back from that, I started having some problems with my finger and my arm felt weak. So I went and saw a vascular surgeon and they said I had a thoracic outlet syndrome.

"There were a couple of options, either to get surgery or to rehab with anti-inflammatories, and the rehab and stuff has worked so far. I have been to the highest of highs and lowest of lows. But all of it has put my life in perspective and I remember that every day I get to play is a blessing,"

Keys first baseman J.C. Escarra went 3-for-4 with a double, two-run homer and three RBIs. He's batting .400 during Frederick's 1-4 start with an OPS of 1.228.