Orioles select Lucas' contract (plus O's lineup and notes)

The Orioles have replaced Yefry Ramirez with Josh Lucas in their latest attempt to find a fresh and productive bullpen arm.

Lucas had his contract selected this afternoon from Triple-A Norfolk, with pitcher Nate Karns moving to the 60-day injured list to free up room on the 40-man roster.

Lucas made three appearances with the Orioles before they designated him for assignment and outrighted him. He allowed two earned runs (three total) and four hits in 4 1/3 innings before coming off the 40-man on April 22.

In six relief appearances with Norfolk, Lucas has surrendered four earned runs (five total) and nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings. His most recent appearance was Friday night in Indianapolis, only his fourth outing since the Orioles designated him.

The Orioles optioned Ramirez after yesterday's start in Cleveland.

Jonathan Villar is out of the lineup tonight for the first time this season. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing second base.

Catcher Pedro Severino moves up to fifth in the order. Chris Davis is on the bench.

Andrew Cashner is making his 10th start of the season and third against the Yankees. He allowed six runs over four innings on March 28 and two runs in six innings in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Cashner has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. He has 20 strikeouts in 16 innings this month.

Kendrys Morales is 7-for-14 with three home runs lifetime against Cashner, Aaron Hicks is 6-for-16 with two doubles and Gleyber Torres is 5-for-10 with a double and home run.

Left-hander J.A. Happ has made three starts against the Orioles and allowed nine runs and 15 hits in 13 2/3 innings.

Renato Núñez is 7-for-15 with a double and three home runs lifetime against Happ, but he's 5-for-52 with one walk and 16 strikeouts this month. He's 6-for-68 since April 24.

He's batting cleanup tonight.

Trey Mancini is 8-for-25 with a double and three home runs against Happ. Davis is 4-for-29 with two doubles, two home runs and 13 strikeouts.

Davis was flirting with a .200 average, but it's down to .179. He's 4-for-29 with 18 strikeouts since going 2-for-3 with a home run on May 10.

Dan Straily and Dylan Bundy will start the last two games of the series, spots that had been listed as TBD.

The Orioles have lost nine of their last 11 games, 15 of 20 and 20 of 26.

The Yankees are 20-7 in their last 27 games, the best record in the majors over that span. They've won five series in a row.

The Yankees have hit 19 home runs in their last five games against the Orioles, including 14 in a three-game series in Baltimore last month.

For the Orioles
Hanser Alberto 2B
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Trey Mancini 1B
Renato Núñez DH
Pedro Severino C
Stevie Wilkerson CF
Joey Rickard RF
Rio Ruiz 3B
Richie Martin SS

Andrew Cashner RHP

Double-A Bowie's Zac Lowther was named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week. He didn't allow a run in 12 2/3 innings and struck out 15 batters while winning both starts.