Notes on Lowther, the Harveys, Hays and Mullins

Notes on Lowther, the Harveys, Hays and Mullins
Pitching prospect Zac Lowther is going to be used tonight following starter Matt Harvey. Could be right away, could be later in the game. But he's getting the ball for the third time in the majors. The Orioles recalled Lowther this afternoon from Triple-A Norfolk, which was in Durham. "I'm not exactly sure when I'm going to use him. I'm going to kind of see how the game is playing out," manager Brandon Hyde said in his Zoom call with the media. "Harvey's excited about kind of opening...
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Orioles recall Zac Lowther

Orioles recall Zac Lowther
The Orioles recalled left-hander Zac Lowther from Triple-A Norfolk this afternoon and he's available to work in bulk relief for tonight's series finale versus the Twins. Lowther has allowed seven runs and eight hits in two appearances with the Orioles spanning 3 1/3 innings. In three starts with Norfolk, he's surrendered nine earned runs (10 total) and 16 hits in 11 1/3 innings. He's walked seven batters and struck out 13. The Orioles get a fresh arm in Lowther, who last pitched on May 26...
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A few leftovers from last night's streak-breaking win

A few leftovers from last night's streak-breaking win
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde exhaled last night, wrestled with the urge to be annoyed by the late-inning walks and tightrope acts and made himself enjoy the moment. He initially felt more relief than actual joy that a 14-game losing streak was over. But he made certain to soak in the reactions of his players. The laughter and high-fives, how they cranked up the music inside the clubhouse. A new month brought out emotions that had been packed away. The game was fun again. "Coming through the...
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Orioles end losing streak at 14 games with 7-4 win (updated)

Orioles end losing streak at 14 games with 7-4 win (updated)
The count to 1988 can stop. No need to turn back the clock after the Orioles turned away the Twins. Local product Bruce Zimmermann played the role tonight of rookie stopper, Cedric Mullins did a little bit of everything, including twice scoring on Trey Mancini singles, and the Orioles snapped a 14-game losing streak with a 7-4 victory before an announced crowd of 5,337 at Camden Yards. Pedro Severino hit his second home run of the season and the Orioles won for the third time in 24 games. They...
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Hyde: "Whether we're winning or losing, it consumes me"

Hyde: "Whether we're winning or losing, it consumes me"
Manager Brandon Hyde said reliever Hunter Harvey will throw one-plus or two full innings tonight with Triple-A Norfolk, which is playing in Durham, and the Orioles will decide whether he's ready to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list. "We're going to see how that goes," Hyde said on his Zoom call, "and reevaluate after his outing tonight." Harvey is making his fourth appearance on his rehab assignment. He's allowed three earned runs (five total) and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings....
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Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
Pedro Severino is catching tonight and Freddy Galvis is batting cleanup as the Orioles try to snap a 14-game losing streak and defeat the Twins for the first time since March 2018. Trey Mancini is the designated hitter with Ryan Mountcastle at first base. DJ Stewart is in left field. Rookie Bruce Zimmermann is making his ninth start and 10th appearance this season. He held the White Sox to one run over five innings with six strikeouts in his last outing. Michael Pineda has a 2.62 ERA and 0.985...
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Orioles release pitcher Josh Rogers

Orioles release pitcher Josh Rogers
The return for former closer Zack Britton is down to two players. Triple-A Norfolk left-hander Josh Rogers was released yesterday, at least putting on hold his comeback from a second elbow surgery. Rogers, 26, made four appearances with Norfolk, including two starts, and allowed 15 earned runs (17 total) and 24 hits in 17 1/3 innings. He walked three batters and struck out 14. Reports showed that his velocity was good. The arm is healthy again. He just didn't have the overall results to...
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Quality start for Orioles can't stop losing streak (updated)

Quality start for Orioles can't stop losing streak (updated)
The best method for eliminating a streak usually isn't to pile another one on top of it. The Orioles began today with 13 losses in a row. They were 0-15 against the Twins since March 2018. Maybe they could kill two streaks with one starter. Or a solid outing from the bullpen. A clutch hit with runners in scoring position. Any trick to get back on track. Thirteen consecutive Orioles were retired by Twins starter José Berríos before Ryan Mountcastle hit a game-tying home run to center...
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Hyde on Wynns: "He's an ultimate team guy"

Hyde on Wynns: "He's an ultimate team guy"
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde sat down with catcher Chance Sisco this morning and talked about the club's decision to option him to Triple-A Norfolk. The reasoning, the reassurances that it hadn't given up on him. What must be done in order to return. The Orioles selected Austin Wynns' contract from Triple-A Norfolk and sent down Sisco, who's batting .154/.247/.185 with no home runs and three RBIs in 73 plate appearances after going 3-for-30 in spring training. "Tough conversation this...
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Orioles option Sisco to make room for Wynns (updated)

Orioles option Sisco to make room for Wynns (updated)
The Orioles selected the contract of catcher Austin Wynns this morning from Triple-A Norfolk, the anticipated move after he arrived in Baltimore last night, and optioned Chance Sisco to the Tides. Infielder Richie Martin was transferred to the 60-day injured list with a fractured left wrist to create room for Wynns on the 40-man roster. A shakeup at the catching position seemed to be coming with Sisco and Pedro Severino combining for below-average production at the plate and behind it. Sisco is...
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Orioles evaluating players while trying to stop their losing streak

Orioles evaluating players while trying to stop their losing streak
As the Orioles tried unsuccessfully yesterday to close out their road trip with a victory and slam the brakes on a losing streak that grew to 13 games, unable to make the flight home a little more enjoyable, some of the organization's top pitching prospects were given starts at the upper levels of the farm system. Kyle Bradish was handed the ball at Triple-A Norfolk, with Dean Kremer and Zac Lowther on the mound for the next two games in Durham. Mike Baumann and DL Hall started for Double-A...
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Wynns expected to join Orioles for upcoming homestand

Wynns expected to join Orioles for upcoming homestand
The Orioles are prepared to make a change with their catchers. Austin Wynns is in Baltimore, according to sources, and could be placed on the active roster for Monday afternoon's game against the Twins. Because he isn't on the 40-man roster, a corresponding move would be necessary. Wynns didn't play in the majors in 2020. He's a career .239/.271/.339 hitter in 70 games with the Orioles and has thrown out 10 of 36 runners attempting to steal. Among three catchers on Triple-A Norfolk's...
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Late runs stretch Orioles' losing streak to 13 games (updated)

Late runs stretch Orioles' losing streak to 13 games (updated)
Keegan Akin blew a 92 mph fastball by Zack Collins today to end the second inning and shook his head on his way back to the dugout, the disgust as visible as his facial hair. A silent scolding for a pair of two-out walks. Knowing what's unacceptable to the rookie and the people evaluating him. A leadoff home run by sudden slugger Billy Hamilton in the bottom of the third also was frowned upon, another early lead vanishing before it could be celebrated. Akin gave the Orioles 4 2/3 innings in...
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Hyde on Mountcastle, Mancini, Nevin, pitching and more

Hyde on Mountcastle, Mancini, Nevin, pitching and more
Ryan Mountcastle made it through yesterday's doubleheader without any physical setbacks, the only negative besides the losses being the five strikeouts in six at-bats. Mountcastle is listed among the reserves this afternoon in Chicago, while Trey Mancini returns to the lineup as the designated hitter. Two players that pass in the day. "His hand's still a little bit sore," manager Brandon Hyde said during his Zoom call with the media. "Proud of him, how he handled yesterday. We kind of...
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Orioles and White Sox lineups

Orioles and White Sox lineups
Trey Mancini has returned to the Orioles lineup this afternoon, batting third as the designated hitter, but Ryan Mountcastle returns to the bench after playing both ends of yesterday's doubleheader. Tyler Nevin is the first baseman, DJ Stewart is in left field and Anthony Santander is in right. Stevie Wilkerson is the second bnaseman. Left-hander Keegan Akin is making his fifth appearance this season and his first start since Sept. 27 in Toronto, when he allowed four runs (two homers) in three...
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Brandon Hyde on Hunter Harvey: "All reports are positive"

Brandon Hyde on Hunter Harvey: "All reports are positive"
The Orioles are expected to reinstate reliever Hunter Harvey from the 60-day injured list on the front portion of a three-team homestand that begins Memorial Day against the Twins. They could choose to give him a fourth appearance on his injury rehab assignment after Friday night's start at Triple-A Norfolk or bring him to Baltimore. Whatever they do, they're going to largely ignore his stats as they might in spring training. Harvey has been charged with three earned runs and five total with...
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Unlikely homer, wasted scoring chance and mistakes doom O's

Unlikely homer, wasted scoring chance and mistakes doom O's
Leave it to the Orioles' luck that on the day John Means starts the second game of a doubleheader, their losing streak reaching 11 games, the opposition sends out a pitcher with a lower ERA. A neat trick, considering how stingy Means is allowing runs. Billy Hamilton, the well-traveled outfielder known for his speed rather than his swing, homered off Means with two outs in the fourth inning, José Abreu hit a two-run shot in the fifth after a cheap two-out single ahead of him and the While...
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O's woes grow with 7-4 loss in Game 1 (updated)

O's woes grow with 7-4 loss in Game 1 (updated)
Games shortened to seven innings aren't capable right now of preventing losing streaks from growing. The Orioles must hope that they don't run out of ideas. Another early lead for the Orioles was erased in rapid fashion today after Freddy Galvis hit the first of his two home runs off White Sox left-hander Dallas Keuchel in the first inning. A single by José Abreu tied the game in the first. A pair of Matt Harvey walks and a wild pitch to open the third were followed by Abreu's two-run...
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Orioles and White Sox Game 1 lineups

Orioles and White Sox Game 1 lineups
Ryan Mountcastle hit on the field today and is in the Game 1 lineup against the White Sox. Mountcastle, who bruised his left hand Tuesday on a hit by pitch, is the designated hitter. "He feels good enough to give it a try," manager Brandon Hyde said on his Zoom call. "Really encouraged by that, give him a lot of credit for understanding our situation and playing banged up. Shows me a lot about him and his character of trying to be a pro. He's still sore, but he's going to try." First...
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Orioles see logic and challenges with short bench

Orioles see logic and challenges with short bench
The idea of a 14-man pitching staff still makes sense during a season with heightened injury concerns. The increase in games and innings endangering the arms. The handling of workloads done with care. Carrying two Rule 5 picks on opening day solidified the logic. Hard to punch holes through it. The complication resides in the trainers' room. Keeping nine relievers on a 26-man roster allows for only a three-man bench and the Orioles have found themselves stripped down to the extra...
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