Four-run first inning and leak-proof bullpen lead to series sweep

Four-run first inning and leak-proof bullpen lead to series sweep
Cedric Mullins is expected to represent the Orioles at the All-Star Game, finding out Sunday night whether he made it as a starter. Trey Mancini already confirmed his participation in the Home Run Derby. They can hang out in Denver. Ryan Mountcastle won't be tagging along, but he's distracted with strengthening his candidacy for American League Rookie of the Month. With more prestigious hardware in his sights. Astros starter Luis Garcia hung a slider tonight with two outs in the top of the...
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More on Lakins' elbow and Watkins' arrival in majors

More on Lakins' elbow and Watkins' arrival in majors
Orioles pitcher Travis Lakins Sr. isn't done undergoing tests on his right elbow. Manager Brandon Hyde said today on his Zoom call that Lakins will have the elbow checked again later this week after the team arrives in California to finish its road trip against the Angels. The Orioles are off Thursday. No matter the result, Lakins is expected to be unavailable for a significant stretch. "Right now we're still calling it an elbow strain, but they're going to do some further tests on it,"...
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Orioles put Lakins on IL, add Watkins and Mattson

Orioles put Lakins on IL, add Watkins and Mattson
The Orioles placed pitcher Travis Lakins Sr. on the 10-day injured list today with right elbow pain, selected the contract of pitcher Spenser Watkins from Triple-A Norfolk and recalled reliever Isaac Mattson. Watkins and Mattson were on the taxi squad. Left-hander Alexander Wells was optioned to the Tides after earning his first major league win last night. The Orioles also declared infielder Stevie Wilkerson has been designated for assignment to create room for Watkins on the 40-man...
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Sceroler "thankful for this whole entire situation"

Sceroler "thankful for this whole entire situation"
The Tuesday drive from Mac Sceroler's home in Louisiana to Chattanooga, Tenn., didn't show it on any map, but he traveled down a steep hill to get there. The peak of it actually back in Baltimore. The descent from the majors to Double-A baseball is common with Rule 5 selections. Sceroler sensed that it might be coming. Braced for it and understanding of the reasons. Two months spent on the injured list and rehabbing his right shoulder tore through whatever odds of success existed with...
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Rutschman and Diplán chosen for All-Star Futures Game

Rutschman and Diplán chosen for All-Star Futures Game
Top prospect Adley Rutschman is one of the highest profile names listed among players chosen today for the All-Star Futures Game. Rutschman, chosen by the Orioles as the first overall selection in the 2019 draft out of Oregon State University, was selected to the American League team. One of his teammates is Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Marcos Diplán. The 22nd installment of the game will be played at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at Coors Field in Denver. Rutschman, 23, is batting .287/.426/.520 with...
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Lakins leaves with injury, Orioles erupt late in 13-3 win (updated)

Lakins leaves with injury, Orioles erupt late in 13-3 win (updated)
A bullpen game to compensate for optioning a starter to the minors is a shakier proposition when six relievers are used the previous night. At least the Orioles planned on it tonight. Well, part of it. The Astros unexpectedly tapped into their bullpen in the second inning to replace injured starter José Urquidy. Travis Lakins Sr. exited with an injury after loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the second. There are bullpen games and then there are emergency situations, mad...
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Where will trade winds blow next month?

Where will trade winds blow next month?
The draft and All-Star break are approaching in Major League Baseball, running together like colors in the wash. They also move the sport closer to the trade deadline and stacking of chips. The Orioles have taken some hits, their pile reduced, but there's still the potential for some movement. Freddy Galvis isn't going anywhere after straining his right quadriceps muscle Saturday afternoon in Buffalo. Manager Brandon Hyde described it as a "Grade 1-plus" and projected a one- to two-month...
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Orioles and Astros lineups (with more notes)

Orioles and Astros lineups (with more notes)
The latest Orioles lineup combination tonight has Ryan McKenna batting fifth and playing left field, with Austin Hays in right field and Anthony Santander serving as the designated hitter. Domingo Leyba is playing second base and Maikel Franco returns to the lineup at third. Austin Wynns is catching. Meanwhile, with a marathon win last night, the Orioles summoned right-hander Conner Greene from Triple-A Norfolk and put him on the taxi squad. A fresh arm is close. Greene would become the 11th...
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Lakins making rare start tonight in Houston

Lakins making rare start tonight in Houston
The Orioles have decided on Travis Lakins Sr. as tonight's starter against the Astros in Houston. The mystery ended around noon with the team announcing it. Lakins, celebrating his 27th birthday, is making his fourth major league start and first since Sept. 26, 2019 with the Red Sox. None of his starts have lasted more than two innings and he worked a career-high four in relief Thursday in Buffalo. Pretty much indicates an opener, with Lakins perhaps followed by rookie left-hander Alexander...
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Orioles issue walks and score late runs in 9-7 win (updated)

Orioles issue walks and score late runs in 9-7 win (updated)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde spun his lineup again tonight in an attempt to find the right combination. A group that can make plays in the field and generate runs. Perhaps run with an opportunity. Locating strike-throwers also is on the agenda. The shuffling in the rotation is happening now in the infield with the arrivals of Domingo Leyba and Ramón Urías. They started again tonight, with Urías at short and Leyba switching from second base to third base. Slumps and health factor into...
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Tough breaks for Martin keeping him away from shortstop

Tough breaks for Martin keeping him away from shortstop
The injury to shortstop Freddy Galvis, a strained quadriceps muscle in his right leg perhaps keeping him out of the lineup for the next two months, opened another door that Richie Martin couldn't walk through. Martin missed the 2020 season with a fractured right wrist, an injury sustained while playing in an intrasquad game at summer training camp at Camden Yards. Meanwhile, shortstop José Iglesias was in and out of the lineup because of an aching left quadriceps. Surgery to remove a broken...
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Orioles and Astros lineups (updated)

Orioles and Astros lineups (updated)
Domingo Leyba is playing third base tonight as the Orioles open a three-game series in Houston. Maikel Franco and Anthony Santander are on the bench. Austin Hays is in right field and batting second, Ryan McKenna is in left and Ramón Urías is playing shortstop. Pat Valaika gets the start at second base. Urías has a seven-game hitting streak that was interrupted by his return to Triple-A Norfolk. He's 8-for-16 with a double, home run and six RBIs during the streak. Leyba went 0-for-4...
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The waiting for Jahmai Jones is the hardest part

The waiting for Jahmai Jones is the hardest part
The calls for Jahmai Jones grew louder over the weekend after Freddy Galvis limped off the field Saturday afternoon, the severity of his quadriceps injury written on his face. The pain and anguish, the attempts to fight back tears as he rode a cart to the auxiliary tent and later was placed in a vehicle - needing assistance just to sit down - for the ride to a nearby hospital. Fans want Jones in the majors and they want him now. Armchair general managers spew insults from their foaming...
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New faces can't keep O's from familiar place in 5-2 loss (updated)

New faces can't keep O's from familiar place in 5-2 loss (updated)
The roster churn that presents one of the defining qualities of the Orioles' 2021 season freshened the lineup this morning and expanded the bench. It could not, however, improve the won-lost record. Jorge López threw 100 pitches in 4 2/3 innings, the third time through the order bruising him in the fifth, and the Blue Jays won 5-2 in Buffalo to claim the series. The Orioles are 24-54 and have lost 22 of 23 road games as they board their flight to Houston. López was done after Cavan...
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Galvis to miss one to two months with quad injury

Galvis to miss one to two months with quad injury
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde anticipates that shortstop Freddy Galvis will miss one to two months of the season with a strained right quadriceps muscle, an injury sustained yesterday in the second inning while running out a bunt single. Galvis was placed on the injured list within a flurry of roster activity earlier today. "It's in between a Grade 1 to a Grade 2, so more like a Grade 1-plus," Hyde said in his Zoom call with the media. "Hoping for the four to six weeks. Could be a little bit...
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Orioles put Galvis on IL, option Wilkerson and Wade

Orioles put Galvis on IL, option Wilkerson and Wade
The Orioles placed shortstop Freddy Galvis on the 10-day injured list this morning with a right quadriceps strain. They also optioned pitcher Konner Wade and infielder Stevie Wilkerson to Norfolk and recalled outfielder Ryan McKenna and infielders Domingo Leyba and Ramón Urías, who are in Buffalo for the series finale against the Blue Jays. The Orioles selected Leyba off waivers from the Diamondback on June 4. He was 0-for-22 with two walks, leaving his career line at .149/.241/.234 in 54...
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Orioles aren't done debuting players

Orioles aren't done debuting players
Knuckleballer Mickey Jannis, and the law states that he can't be referenced without his signature pitch proceeding his name, became the eighth Oriole on Wednesday to make his major league debut this season. Konner Wade was the ninth, and the 42nd player used by the club, when he replaced starter Keegan Akin yesterday and allowed six runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. Alexander Wells became Nos. 10 and 43 when he replaced Wade in the seventh and tossed two scoreless innings. And it's only...
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Galvis leaves game with leg injury (Orioles lose 12-4, updated)

Galvis leaves game with leg injury (Orioles lose 12-4, updated)
Falling behind by four runs today wasn't the only pain inflicted on the Orioles. They watched shortstop Freddy Galvis leave the game in the top of the second inning with an injury to his right leg, which likely is going to force him onto the injured list and bring more roster moves. Galvis reached on a bunt single and limped off the field, grabbing the front of his leg to indicate a possible quadriceps injury. The club announced only that he had right quad discomfort. Galvis was making his...
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Reviewing how Orioles walked to last night's road win

Reviewing how Orioles walked to last night's road win
As Orioles manager Brandon Hyde soaked in the loud music last night and other celebratory sounds coming from the auxiliary tent that serves as the visiting clubhouse at Sahlen Field, the end of a 20-game road losing streak playfully compared to a wild card victory, he highlighted the key points that enabled his club to overtake the Blue Jays. Less flashy than the big hits were a bunch of walks that validated his lectures to his hitters, young and experienced, about the importance of plate...
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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Anthony Santander is in the Orioles lineup today and playing right field after delivering his second career pinch-hit last night during a four-run rally in the eighth inning. Austin Hays is in left field and DJ Stewart is on the bench as the Orioles continue their series against the Blue Jays in Buffalo. Pedro Severino, charged with his seventh passed ball last night, is behind the plate again. Freddy Galvis moves down to sixth in the order. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter. Over his...
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