Hyde on Alberto and catchers, Means on first start (O's up 12-4)

Though Chris Davis' inclusion in tonight's lineup provided another pregame distraction, it's also worth noting that Dwight Smith Jr. is sitting for the first time and Hanser Alberto is starting for the third consecutive game.

Right-hander Marco Estrada is a reverse-splits guy, which could explain why Smith and Rio Ruiz are on the bench. But Alberto is earning his way into the lineup by going 7-for-14 and providing a reliable glove at three infield positions.

He also can pitch a little, though manager Brandon Hyde will try to avoid it in the future.

In a sport where a player's "makeup" is graded by scouts and executives, Alberto gets high marks that enables him to carry a reputation as a good clubhouse guy.

"Hanser enjoys playing the game and that's clear when he's playing," Hyde said. "You can see the little mannerisms in the box. None of that is show, that is actually him. He loves to compete, loves to play. He plays the game like he's in Little League for the fun of it.

"That's why he's a pleasure to have around. That's why he plays loose, that's why he plays easy, that's why he can play multiple positions. That's why I have confidence in just throwing him out there in the ninth inning in a terrible spot yesterday. It was like, 'OK, who can just get three outs? Hopefully Hanser can throw the ball over the plate.' Yeah, just love his makeup and his attitude and everything about him.

"He's just awesome to have in the clubhouse, awesome to watch on the field. He's the loudest guy in the dugout. It's just been a pleasure for sure."

Catcher Austin Wynns went 3-for-4 today with a long home run in an extended spring training game in Sarasota. He's supposed to catch nine innings Wednesday and could begin a rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Bowie.

Meanwhile, Jesús Sucre is making his seventh start behind the plate tonight and Pedro Severino has made three. Both catchers are lauded for their work defensively and handling of a pitching staff. And they aren't inclined to bury their emotions.

Sucre and Severino have used the same move to convey their frustration with a home run ball, bolting upright and ripping off their mask while spinning toward the dugout. Sucre did it while catching Mike Wright, Severino while catching Miguel Castro.

The full range of emotions are noted by the former minor league catcher who now manages the club.

"I think it's real, it's real disappointment because they're trying to help out the pitcher and they're trying to get through the inning or whatever it may be. So it's a real emotion," Hyde said. "There's nothing fake about it. And because of that, you like it, right? I like guys that show emotion, I like guys who are themselves, I like guys that play the game to win and not worry about what it looks like.

"I just want guys to play with confidence and play to win, and whoever they are as a person, be that person. Everybody's different, obviously, and those guys are just really passionate guys. I just came from the Cubs, (Willson) Contreras was an incredibly passionate guy.

"Too passionate at times? Maybe, but you live with it and you love it because you know how much it means to him and what you want as a coach is to have guys that are fully invested in doing what they're doing to try to win and that's how those guys are."

Hyde will choose between Sucre and Severino to catch John Means Tuesday night in the left-hander's first major league start.

Means found out yesterday that he's getting the ball during a brief meeting with Hyde. He only had to take the few steps that separate his locker from Hyde's door.

"I was excited, I was excited that they have that kind of trust in me to start the game and obviously that's what I've done my whole career. I'm no (stranger) to it," he said.

"He called me into his office and pointed at the board and was like, 'You're starting Tuesday.' He just wanted me to give whatever I could and that outing the other day was basically my bullpen."

Means retired all three batters he faced Saturday night, striking out two and throwing only 18 pitches. He threw 79 over 3 1/3 innings on March 31 at Yankee Stadium while earning his first major league win.

How far can he go Tuesday?

"I don't know, we'll see how it goes," he said. "We'll see if I can keep the strength throughout the game and kind of play it by ear."

The best advice for Means is to change nothing. He's allowed one run and struck out nine batters in 5 2/3 innings. No reason to tamper with success.

Keep spotting the fastball, keep using a changeup that's been a neutralizer, and show no fear.

"Just kind of come out of it like I'm coming out of the bullpen and try to get everybody out," he said.

"I'm definitely happy and I think they're taking note of it, too. They have trust in me and it's nice to see. It really is."

Update: Trey Mancini hit his fifth home run, an opposite-field shot in the first, to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

Update II: Cedric Mullins had a two-run triple in the second inning and raced home on a throwing error to increase the lead to 4-0.

Update III: Josh Phegley hit a two-run homer off Andrew Cashner in the third to reduce the lead to 4-2.

Update IV: Mullins tripled again and scored on Jonathan Villar's home run to increase the lead to 6-2 in the fourth.

Update V: Mark Canha led off the fifth with a long home run to left-center field.

Update VI: The Orioles took a 7-4 lead in the sixth on Mullins' sacrifice fly after Richie Martin hit his first career triple.

Cashner was charged with four runs (three earned) and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Update VII: The Orioles have scored five runs in the eighth on Villar's two-run single off Fernando Rodney, Mancini's RBI single and Alberto's two-run single.