Bullpen shuttle shuts down (O's lead 3-2)

Exactly one month has passed since the Orioles made a roster move to bring up a reliever from the minors. They recalled left-hander Jayson Aquino from Triple-A Norfolk on July 5 and optioned him after the game.

Stefan Crichton and Mike Wright were reinstated from the 10-day disabled list and optioned. Jeremy Hellickson was acquired from the Phillies. Yefry Ramirez was acquired from the Yankees and assigned to Double-A Bowie. That's it for pitching transactions.

The shuttle has stalled.

The Orioles have stuck with the same seven-man bullpen, with Miguel Castro and Richard Bleier largely responsible for the unit staying intact. Chris Tillman joins them as an eighth reliever following his removal from the rotation.

"The starters have gotten more consistent (deep) into games," Showalter said, "but the job that Miguel and Richard have done has been a big difference, too. It's one thing to say this guy is a long reliever, but when they can't get people out in that role, you're not a long reliever. They've come in and been able to do the job for us."

Showalter issues a warning.

"Tonight's going to be a challenge," he said.

It's due to the Orioles starting left-hander Wade Miley and not having Castro available to back him up. Castro threw 69 pitches in six innings Thursday night and won't be ready again until Sunday afternoon at the earliest.

Showalter likes to have a right-hander available behind a left-handed starter, and vice-versa, but he'll need to call upon Bleier tonight if Miley makes a premature exit.

Right-handers are batting .260 against Bleier. There are seven of them in the Tigers' lineup tonight and switch-hitter Victor Martinez.

"Richard has shown the ability to defend himself against right-handed hitters and certainly Donnie (Hart) is capable of doing that, too," Showalter said. "I've got a couple guys who need to pitch tonight, so I know I've got two innings out of the 'pen that I'm going to need to pitch.

"I've always tried to have Richard available when a right-handed starter is out there and Miguel available when Miley pitched and we've made some moves the night before for that. But both of those guys, if we get caught, are available to do it against either side. It's hard to find.

"It's one of the things that makes us think especially about Miguel as a starter down the road. The definition is what's doing the road? Is it a week from now or next year?"

Trey Mancini and Caleb Joseph avoided the disabled list today. Mancini is starting in left field tonight after fouling a ball off his left knee Thursday. Joseph still has a large red mark across the back of his right hand after being hit by a pitch last night, but he's available off the bench.

"The X-ray was negative, so that's good," Joseph said. "I think the soreness is the puffiness and the swelling that's inside there. That's all it is. Really get after the treatment today and try to get that swelling out and it should be fine."

Joseph said he'd be "shocked" if it became a DL situation.

"Unless the X-ray missed something," he said. "As far as right now, I'm expecting to be available tonight. We're going continue with the treatment and go and take some swings. I threw last night. The throwing was fine. It was more the grip and the strength of the grip."

Update: Justin Upton hit a two-run homer off Miley in the first inning to give Detroit a 2-0 lead.

Upton has homered in three straight games for the first time since May 18-20, 2014 with the Braves.

Miley threw 30 pitches in the inning.

Update II: Jonathan Schoop drove in his 80th run of the season with a double in the third inning that scored Adam Jones and reduced the lead to 2-1. Schoop began the night one RBI behind former teammate Nelson Cruz for the American League lead.

Update III: Jones hit his 20th home run, a solo shot in the fifth to tie the game 2-2.

Miley allowed two runs and four hits in five innings, with three walks and four strikeouts. He threw 113 pitches.

Update IV: Welington Castillo homered off Joe Jimenez to lead off the seventh and give the Orioles a 3-2 lead.