Early notes from rainy Camden Yards (Gentry to DL, O's down 7-1)

The tarp was peeled back at Camden Yards to allow the grounds crew to do some work on the infield. It's back on while a light rain continues to fall.

Manager Buck Showalter said the status of the game is "iffy." The Orioles want to play tonight and avoid a Sunday doubleheader with an afternoon game on Labor Day.

Outfielder Craig Gentry, who fractured the middle finger on his right hand, will visit a hand specialist on Sunday. The Orioles are hoping that he'll be available to pinch-run later in the month, ahead of the healing of the finger.

Gentry sustained the fracture and laceration while attempting to bunt in the third inning.

"I was looking at it. That's pretty nasty," Showalter said. "Pretty amazing that he continued the at-bat.

"It will be interesting to see what he can actually do. I'm anxious to hear what the doctor says about what the future may hold after looking at it. Timeframe and what he might be able to do and not do."

The Orioles won't recall Alec Asher and Donnie Hart until knowing whether they're playing tonight. The relievers are at Camden Yards and available out of the bullpen.

Asher was eligible today to return from Triple-A Norfolk. Hart's addition is tied to Gentry's status.

Another outfielder could come up to replace Gentry, but the Orioles have a full 40-man roster and still need to add shortstop J.J. Hardy.

"Considering it," Showalter said. "Got some roster issues right now, depending how you look at it."

Left-hander Wade Miley posted a 2.60 ERA in five starts last month. He had a 7.48 ERA in six June starts and an 8.68 ERA in six July starts.

Opponents batted .325 in June, .342 in July and .238 in August.

"I think his stuff is a little crisper, especially with a little extra time," Showalter said. "Wade's one of those guys who just dialed it in about an inch or two. He was missing barely and getting a lot of counts away from him and got a little more in the zone with quality stuff.

"There's some stuff he's done with his repertoire that I'm not going to get into and broadcast that has given him a different look. Pitchers always, especially starting pitchers, they throw a little crook in there, a little different look, because hitters adjust to them. You've seen some great starters who all of a sudden show up with a cutter or a changeup that they didn't have, or they're throwing a curveball. You've got to throw a little different look at them. Unless you just have overpowering three pitches every time you go out there, which nobody does."

Single-A Frederick catcher Yermin Mercedes has been placed on the suspended list.

For the Blue Jays
Steve Pearce LF
Josh Donaldson 3B
Justin Smoak 1B
José Bautista RF
Kendrys Morales DH
Kevin Pillar CF
Darwin Barney 2B
Ryan Goins SS
Luke Maile C

Marcus Stroman RHP

Update: Gentry has been placed on the disabled list, with Asher and Hart recalled. The Orioles must feel pretty good about playing tonight.

Update II: Kevin Pillar homered off Wade Miley leading off the fifth to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead.

Update III: The Jays loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth and Kendrys Morales flied to right field to score Steve Pearce for a 2-0 lead. They settled for one run.

Update IV: Josh Donaldson hit a three-run homer off Richard Rodriguez, making his major league debut, in the seventh inning to increase the lead to 5-0.

Update V: Darwin Barney hit a two-run homer off Alec Asher in the eighth to give Toronto a 7-0 lead. One of the runs was charged to Rodriguez, giving him four on the night.

Seth Smith led off the bottom of the eighth with a home run to cut the lead to 7-1.