Orioles and Athletics lineups (and notes)

Anthony Bemboom starts behind the plate tonight as the Orioles begin a four-game series in Oakland.

Anthony Santander is in left field, Austin Hays is in right and Ryan Mountcastle is the first baseman. Trey Mancini is serving as the designated hitter.

Mountcastle and Santander have reached base in all nine games.

The infield also includes Ramón Urías at third base. Rougned Odor is at second after yesterday’s pinch-hit two-run single in the eighth inning that broke a scoreless tie against the Yankees.

Spenser Watkins gets his second start after allowing one earned run, but four total, in three innings against the Brewers. He’s never faced the Athletics.

The Orioles have allowed only three home runs, tied with the Giants for fewest in the majors. Their 3.04 ERA is fifth-lowest and ranks second in the American League.

The Athletics placed pitchers A.J Puk, Kirby Snead and Lou Trivino, catcher Austin Allen, infielder Jed Lowrie, and outfielder Chad Pinder on the COVID-19 injured list. They added pitcher Sam Selman and infielders Nick Allen and Christian Lopes to the roster.

Oakland is starting right-hander Frankie Montas, who’s allowed six earned runs (seven total) and 11 hits in 11 1/3 innings in his two starts. He’s walked two batters and struck out 12.

Montas has identical 16-12 career records at home and on the road. But his ERA is 3.50 and his WHIP is 1.262 in Oakland, compared to 4.26 and 1.338 as a visitor.

Tonight marks his second start against the Orioles after allowing three runs and three hits in six innings on April 10, 2019 at Camden Yards. Mancini and Rio Ruiz homered in the fifth.

The Orioles lost two of three games to the A’s at home last summer and won two of three in Oakland. John Means was the winning pitcher in two games.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander LF
Trey Mancini DH
Rougned Odor 2B
Ramón Urías 3B
Austin Hays RF
Anthony Bemboom C
Jorge Mateo SS 

Spenser Watkins RHP

For the Athletics
Tony Kemp LF
Elvis Andrus SS
Sean Murphy C
Billy McKinney 1B
Christian Bethancourt DH
Seth Brown RF
Sheldon Neuse 2B
Kevin Smith 3B
Cristian Pache CF 

Frankie Montas RHP

Triple-A Norfolk’s Kyle Bradish was named International League Pitcher of the Week after making two starts and allowing one run in nine innings with four hits and nine strikeouts. Opponents went 4-for-31 (.129).

Steve Melewski is on the West Coast. I’ll rejoin the team in New York.