CLEVELAND – The Orioles didn’t wait until Thursdays’ roster expansion to select infielder Gunnar Henderson’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk.

They did it early this afternoon, bringing up Henderson and optioning infielder Tyler Nevin to Norfolk.

Pitcher Denyi Reyes was designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster.

Henderson, who’s wearing No. 2, could be in tonight’s lineup against Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie. We’ll find out later.

The first appearance will allow Henderson, 21, to become the youngest Oriole to make his major league debut since infielder Manny Machado in 2012. Machado was a first-round shortstop who switched to third base. Henderson is a second-round shortstop in 2019 who’s played all four infield positions in the minors, gaining experience on the right side this month.

CLEVELAND - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde spoke with Ryan Mountcastle yesterday afternoon, trying to get his first baseman to relax at the plate. To be the hitter he was a few months ago.

“It’s a young guy pressing. That’s what it is,” Hyde said before the series opener in Cleveland.

“A young guy who’s just trying to do way too much.”

Mountcastle flied to deep right field in the second inning, keeping his hitless streak at 14 at-bats in a row but scoring Ramón Urías with a sacrifice fly.

Lowered to seventh in the order for the first time since 2021, Mountcastle also grounded out and walked.

CLEVELAND – The Orioles are ready to increase their roster with two of the top prospects in the organization.

According to an industry source, infielder Gunnar Henderson and reliever DL Hall are flying to Cleveland on Wednesday to join the taxi squad.

Rosters can expand to 28 players on Thursday, when the Orioles complete their three-game series against the Guardians and head home.

Henderson is rated as the No. 1 prospect by Baseball America, and his promotion has been anticipated for more than a week. He played second base tonight for Triple-A Norfolk and collected three more hits.

The Orioles had Henderson making starts on the right side of the infield to increase their flexibility when he arrived in the majors. He’s primarily been a shortstop and third baseman since they drafted him in the second round in 2019 out of John T. Morgan Academy in Selma, Ala.

CLEVELAND – Spenser Watkins retired the first 11 batters tonight and seemed intent on maintaining the recent run of quality starts from the rotation.

To do so, of course, required Watkins to limit the number of runs.

Watkins surrendered two in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth, exiting before the final out, and the offense sputtered again in the Orioles’ 5-1 loss to the Guardians at Progressive Field.

The beginning of another important series for the Orioles produced the third loss to Cleveland in four games this season and lowered their record to 67-61.

Cal Quantrill allowed a leadoff single to Ramón Urías in the second inning, and it was the last Orioles hit. Quantrill retired the last 10 batters he faced after Anthony Santander’s two-out walk in the third.

CLEVELAND – Tyler Wells is getting closer to appearing in games and rejoining the Orioles.

Wells threw about 30 pitches today during a bullpen session at high Single-A Aberdeen, and he’s poised to begin an injury rehab assignment with the IronBirds.

Today’s activity followed the simulated game from a few days ago.

“Felt great after, so positive news there,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

“We’re going to get him into some sort of rehab game if he wakes up tomorrow and feels well. We’re taking it just kind of day-to-day with him right now, but as of right now, it went well and we’re going to continue to progress him.”

CLEVELAND - The Orioles leave Houston after winning two of three games against the team with the best record in the American League, and now they play three games in Cleveland against the leaders in the Central Division.

Yesterday’s off-day actually cost the Orioles a half-game in the wild card race. They’re two behind the Blue Jays for the last spot.

The Guardians won two of three games from the Orioles at Camden Yards on June 3-5. They’ve lost six of their last 11.

Right-hander Cal Quantrill is 10-5 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.203 WHIP in 24 starts. He’s walked 38 batters and struck out 94 in 143 innings.

Quantrill is having his best month in August, going 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 0.781 WHIP in five starts. He’s tossed six, seven and seven scoreless innings in three of his last four outings, holding the Blue Jays to one hit in seven frames on Aug. 12.

Colton Cowser was supposed to move quickly through the Orioles’ system. They believed it would happen before making him the fifth overall selection in last year’s draft. The advanced, polished bat with its high contact rate. The defensive skills to play anywhere in the outfield.

And that’s exactly what’s happening. Right before our eyes.

Cowser already has reached Triple-A Norfolk, which is hosting Lehigh Valley tonight, after 143 minor league games. Only 32 in his first professional season.

The Tides are his fifth affiliate, counting the seven games played in the Florida Complex League. And he gets a full month with them before the offseason.

The Cowser watch begins next spring. Whether he actually breaks camp with the team or returns to Norfolk and is deemed ready at a certain date.

The Orioles launched a few more significant minor league promotions this afternoon, including a first-round draft pick’s ascension to Triple-A. To be determined is whether the ripple effect touches the major league roster.

Outfielder Colton Cowser and shortstop Joey Ortiz are moving from Double-A Bowie to the Norfolk Tides. Infielder Darrel Hernaiz is going from High-A Aberdeen to the Baysox.

Grayson Rodriguez, the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball, is starting for Aberdeen on Thursday night after recovering from a Grade 2 strain in his right lat.

Mondays are rarely dull in the minors, even with the lack of games.

Cowser, the fifth overall selection in the 2021 draft out of Sam Houston State, is speeding through the system. He began the year with Aberdeen and is reporting to his third affiliate with a combined .294/.422/.479 slash line in 502 plate appearances, 29 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 55 RBIs.

The Orioles create their own breaks and catch a few along the way. Or at least, it appears that way.

Doesn’t always lead to a win, but it happens.

Going for the three-game sweep yesterday in Houston, they were tasked with trying to beat Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander. The major league leader in ERA and OPS, and tied for the lead in WHIP. A tough matchup, to say the least.

A brief one, too, with Verlander leaving after three scoreless innings with right calf discomfort.

Nothing related to his surgically repaired right elbow or his shoulder. Just his calf muscle.

HOUSTON – It seemed improbable that the Orioles' run of great starting pitching could last against one of the best hitting teams in the majors on the road.

But it did.

The Orioles were not scoring runs on their end, however, and the game went into the late innings with a 0-0 score at Houston's Minute Maid Park. This after the Orioles had beaten Houston by 2-0 and 3-1 to take the series' first two games. But the Houston bullpen was doing the job after a surprise early exit by Justin Verlander due to injury.

And then the Astros finally broke through and got the big hit they had been waiting for.

Against a drawn-in infield with runners on second and third and one out in the seventh, first baseman Yuli Gurriel poked a two-run single to right field. That put Houston ahead, and they went on to a 3-1 win to avoid getting swept in the three-game series.

HOUSTON – The Orioles' pitching has carried them to two wins at Minute Maid Park. As they go for the three-game sweep today they’d like to generate more offense.

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, struggling in the second half, showed some signs of breaking out last night, when he hit one ball 102 mph and another 105 mph on line outs. It was a good sign for the Orioles, said manager Brandon Hyde.

“You know the way the three guys ahead of him in the lineup are getting on base, the at-bats they’re taking, you know with Ryan, I was happy with his at-bats last night,” Hyde said. “Had better at-bats, was a little more under control, stayed on the ball better. Hit a couple of balls pretty hard. When he stays with himself, good things happen. Being able to lay off sliders out of the zone and elevated fastballs, you know when he puts swings on strikes, good things happen. So we’re getting on base ahead of him and hopefully he can turn it around here pretty soon.”

In the second half, Mountcastle, who is 0-for-8 this series, is batting .177/.282/.298/.550 after he posted a .786 OPS in the first half.

“Yesterday felt a little better. Hit two balls hard,” Mountcastle said. “Thought I got the second one, but I guess it didn’t want to go out. It is what it is. I’m trying and working hard at it.”

The Orioles are trying for their second three-game sweep in Houston in two seasons.

The rotation has tied a season high with four quality starts in a row, posting a 1.26 ERA during that stretch. The ERA is 2.25 in the last 11 games.

The Astros have been held to one run in the first two games. Kyle Bradish and Dean Kremer have combined for 15 2/3 innings, after Jordan Lyles completed seven innings on Thursday.

It really does start with starting pitching.

Only 1 ½ games separate the Orioles from the last wild card spot. But they’re facing Justin Verlander today.

Kyle Bradish came up with a nice solution Friday night to the bullpen’s recent struggles that raised concerns about its ability to hold up through the rest of the wild card chase.

Stay on the mound for eight innings and don’t allow any runs.

So simple. Why didn’t anyone else think of it?

Dean Kremer ran with the idea last night, holding the Astros to one run in 7 2/3. All it takes is one person to start a movement.

A fresh right arm arrived to the team Thursday afternoon when the Orioles recalled Rico Garcia from Triple-A Norfolk. Rosters expand to 28 players on Sept. 1, which allows them to bring up another pitcher.

HOUSTON – The Orioles took the field tonight following afternoon losses by the Blue Jays and Rays. They knew if they won this evening, they would gain some ground in the AL wild-card race. Two homers later, they took early control of this game and were on their way to a second straight win against the team with the best record in the league.

Another gem on the mound proved pretty vital as well.

Anthony Santander and Austin Hays homered in the third inning and right-hander Dean Kremer allowed one run over 7 2/3 innings as the Orioles beat the Houston Astros 3-1 in front of 34,526 at Minute Maid Park.

The Orioles (67-59) moved eight games over the .500 mark for the first time since May 21, 2017. They are now 1.5 games out of the last AL wild card spot. 

They have won five of six and eight of 12 games and are 32-15 in their last 47 games. Baltimore has now won five straight games at Houston after a sweep here last year. Before that, the O's were 6-20 all time in Houston.

HOUSTON – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde believes the start by right-hander Kyle Bradish against Houston last night was the best of the year by an O’s starting pitcher. Bradish threw eight scoreless innings, allowing just two singles on 96 pitches in the 2-0 series-opening win.

He gave the Orioles quality and quantity. He shut down a great offense and also went deep into the game. It was the longest outing by an O’s starter in 2022.

“For me it was for sure (the best this year),” said Hyde this afternoon. “How cool is that, one of our young starters being able to do that. Our guys are growing in front of us. They’re developing. They are getting great experiences.”

Now the next step is to get the O’s starters to pitch deeper into games. They have gotten that the last two nights with outings of seven and eight innings back-to-back. Hyde wants and needs more of that and he used the example of tonight’s opponent to show what that can mean.

Houston’s rotation leads the AL in ERA at 3.07 but also in rotation innings at 744 1/3. The O’s are 13^th in innings at 615 and 11^th in rotation ERA at 4.42.

The Orioles won last night and remained 2 ½ games back for the last wild card after the Mariners defeated the Guardians in 11 innings.

Gain ground on two teams ahead of them, with the Blue Jays and Rays losing, but also stay planted in the same spot.

Kyle Bradish tossed eight scoreless innings with only two hits allowed, Dillon Tate struck out Trey Mancini to strand two runners in the ninth, and the Astros fell to 42-19 at home.

The Orioles are seven games above .500 for the first time since May 22, 2017. They haven’t been eight above since May 21.

Cedric Mullins is the designated hitter tonight. Anthony Santander is playing left field, Ryan McKenna is in center and Austin Hays is in right.

The Orioles wanted veteran starter Jordan Lyles to be durable and dependable. To make each start, push past the middle innings and give his club a chance to win. They sought his leadership on an inexperienced staff.

And they were willing to sign him for $7 million guaranteed with a $11 club option for 2023.

How’s it working out?

“I think he’s exceeded our expectations and what he’s done for us in every way,” says manager Brandon Hyde.

Hyde has gone on record with that opinion multiple times this season, most recently before Thursday’s game.

HOUSTON – For an Orioles team searching many nights for offense recently, one swing can make a big difference. It did on Thursday night and Kyle Stowers was the hitter then. It did Friday night in the series opener at Houston and Ramón Urías had the huge swing.

The Orioles third baseman broke up a 0-0 tie and ended a night of mostly frustration on offense for his squad when he blasted a two-run homer to left. The sixth-inning blast helped lead the Orioles to 2-0 win over Houston behind a gem from right-hander Kyle Bradish.

Making his 16^th big league start, Bradish had one spectacular night on the mound for the Orioles.

The rookie had a 4.21 ERA in five starts since coming off the injured list. His strong outing tonight came against the team that ranks third in the league in runs, second in homers, third in slugging and OPS and with the second fewest strikeouts at bat.

Bradish spun eight scoreless innings at the Astros, allowing just two hits: a single in the fourth by Kyle Tucker and another in the seventh by Alex Bregman.

HOUSTON – Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias is on this road trip with the Orioles and told reporters today in the Orioles dugout that no decision has been made yet as to whether Gunnar Henderson, ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the sport by Baseball America, will be called up to the Orioles.

“We are watching everything he is doing carefully,” Elias said. “And having ongoing conversations about when and how he might factor into that in 2022, but no decisions have been made. But it’s obviously something we are monitoring and very pleased where he is at as a 21-year-old that started the year in Double-A.

“We do (see rosters) expand on Sept. 1. We are, obviously, going to be adding one position player and one pitcher. I don’t know who those are. Everything changes day to day in baseball. Somebody could get hurt. We’re just going to have to see. He’s put himself in a spot to be considered but he’s still having ups and downs in Triple-A on a nightly basis, and we’re watching that too.”

Henderson, in 108 games between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, has batted .292/.415/.531/.946 with 19 homers and 75 RBIs.

Elias was asked what Henderson still needs to show to get his shot with the Orioles.

The challenges keep coming at the Orioles, one after another, contenders leaving them and others waiting right around the corner.

A ninth walk-off win last night is followed by a three-game series in Houston, where the Orioles can visit with former teammate Trey Mancini and try to gain ground in the wild card race.

Last night’s improbable result, a 4-3 win in 11 innings over the White Sox, kept them 2 ½ games back for the last spot.

The Orioles earned their 29^th comeback win, the most since 2017, after Kyle Stowers tied the game with his first major league home run after falling behind 0-2 with two outs in the ninth. Anthony Santander singled in the 11^th for his second career walk-off hit.

The club has registered three consecutive winning months for the first time since April-June 2016.