Mancini returns to Orioles lineup today (O's win 8-4)

SEATTLE - The Orioles get their best hitter back in the lineup today. Trey Mancini, hitting .304/.361/.558, is batting second and playing first base today at Seattle. Mancini has been out since getting plunked on the left elbow in the first inning Wednesday afternoon at Oakland. He suffered a contusion and sat out the last two games.

"I think he's still a little sore but he really wants to get back in there," said manager Brandon Hyde. "Talked this morning. He's excited to play, so he's in there. Happy to see him in there."

"It feels better, good enough to play," Mancini said. "The hope was that I may be good today or tomorrow. I took some swings even yesterday and felt like I could be in there. So, it feels good."

Hyde said it was not hard to resist using Mancini as a pinch-hitter in last night's 10-9 loss.

"In our situation no, I wasn't going to use him," Hyde said. "If it was September and we were two games out, yeah. But not right now. I just want Trey to stay healthy."

The Orioles optioned lefty Sean Gilmartin back to Triple-A Norfolk after last night's game and today selected the contract of right-hander Matt Wotherspoon, who was 2-1 with a 4.46 ERA with the Tides. Wotherspoon was not in the clubhouse when reporters were allowed in today but was expected to arrive by game time. A solid walk rate is one reason he's here on a staff that has issued the second-most walks in the American League.

"You just can't walk guys in the big leagues," Hyde said. "You have to command the baseball. I know it's a lot different than Triple-A. At the same time, if you are allowing free passes and working behind in the count here, you won't be here very long. Can't survive here. Matt has had a track record of throwing strikes, and that's what we need."

The Orioles are also looking for someone to get here from the minors and stick around. The constant shuffling of players in the O's 'pen has been out of need, and Hyde would finally like to see some players arrive here and be good enough to stay a while.

"Yeah. It's quite an opportunity for pitchers in our organization," Hyde said "Lot of major league opportunity. If you come up here and pitch well, you're going to stay. You're going to pitch. You might even pitch with a lead late in the game or whatever it may be. We're just looking for guys to take the opportunity and run with it.

"Guys like Shawn Armstrong. He's come here and pitched really, really well. I have to be careful with my usage of him. I don't want to burn him out by August. But he's come here and taken advantage of an opportunity."

Hyde said left-handed starter John Means is expected to throw a side session tomorrow. He went on the injured list Thursday with a left shoulder strain.

The O's are still piecing together a rotation for the two-game series at home Tuesday and Wednesday with San Diego. We saw the O's use an opener Wednesday at Oakland, with right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis starting, followed by left-hander Josh Rogers. That is in play for the Padres series.

"We're going to need a starter in the San Diego series," Hyde said. "We might do the Yac-Rogers thing again. We're not really clear on that right now."

Seattle takes the lead: For the first time in this series, Seattle scored first. Daniel Vogelbach's RBI double to center made it 1-0 in the home first. The O's were retired through three at-bats on 35 pitches by lefty Tommy Milone.

One big swing: Jonathan Villar hit a three-run homer to left to give the O's a 3-1 lead in the fourth. It scored Pedro Severino, who singled and went to third on a Renato Núñez double. It was No. 9 for Villar.

And another big swing: Anthony Santander hit a two-run homer to right in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Gerson Bautista and the O's lead is 5-1.

Mariners get one back: Domingo Santana scored on Omar Narváez's grounder in the home sixth. Santana likely would have scored on the play anyway, but because Hanser Alberto's throw sailed wide and pulled Mancini off the bag at first, Andrew Cashner's pitch count climbed a bit higher. The Orioles lead 5-2.

Manufacturing at its finest: Richie Martin singled and stole a base, took third on Alberto's sacrifice bunt and scored on Severino's sac fly. Orioles lead 6-2.

Two with two out: With two out and the bases loaded, Alberto stroked a single to left to plate Villar and Keon Broxton. Orioles lead 8-2.

Rogers greeted rudely: Lefty Josh Rogers came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth and surrenderered a solo home run to Santana. The Orioles now lead 8-3.

Givens gives one up: Mychal Givens pitched a less-than-smooth ninth, walking Mac Williamson and allowing a Mallex Smith RBI double. But that was the extent of the damage. Orioles win 8-4.