Hays in Orioles lineup, Mountcastle stays in reserve role

Austin Hays is in the Orioles lineup tonight for the first time since Tuesday. His knee soreness has dissipated and the Rangers are starting left-hander Andrew Heaney. It’s time for him to play.

Left field is back in Hays’ possession.

Ryan Mountcastle is on the bench, where he also began last night’s game before pinch-hitting. An explanation will come later.

Heston Kjerstad, who hit a grand slam last night, is the designated hitter while Ryan O’Hearn plays first base. Jordan Westburg is the cleanup hitter. Colton Cowser is in center field and batting ninth.

Gunnar Henderson’s on-base streak has reached 36 games. He’s leading off against a left-hander, with Adley Rutschman batting second.

So much for switching to Rutschman atop the order versus southpaws.

Cole Irvin is 6-4 with a 3.74 ERA and 1.312 WHIP in 15 games (13 starts). He worked four innings in his last start against the Guardians and allowed four earned runs and eight total with 10 hits.

Over his last three starts, Irvin has surrendered 12 earned runs and 17 total with 24 hits in 14 1/3 innings. His ERA has grown from 2.87 to 3.74.

Marcus Semien is 5-for 13 with a double and home run against Irvin and Robbie Grossman is 4-for-7 with a homer. Adolis García is 4-for-21 with a homer and eight strikeouts. Jonah Heim is 2-for-11 with a double.

Heaney 2-9 with a 4.17 ERA and 1.313 WHIP in 16 games (15 starts). His nine losses are tied for most in the American League.

Left-handers are batting .291 with a .753 OPS against Heaney this season and right-handers are batting .251 with a .730 OPS. He posted a 6.26 ERA in five starts in April, a 2.96 ERA in six games (five starts) in May and a 3.62 ERA in five starts this month.

Heaney has made seven career appearances (six starts) against the Orioles and registered a 7.63 ERA and 1.565 WHIP in 30 2/3 innings. Mountcastle is 4-for-8 with two doubles and two home runs. Hays is 4-for-10 with a double and two home runs.

James McCann is 3-for-16 with two doubles and seven strikeouts.

The Orioles are trying for their first four-game sweep of the Rangers since 2017. They lead the Yankees by one game in the American League East.

Tonight’s game airs exclusively on ESPN beginning at 7:10 p.m.

Phase 2 of All-Star voting began today at noon and runs until Wednesday at noon. Fans can vote once a day by visiting Orioles.com/AllStar or through the MLB or MLB Ballpark App.

Fans who vote for Orioles will receive 30 percent off tickets to an upcoming game.

Mountcastle, Henderson, Rutschman, Westburg, O’Hearn and outfielder Anthony Santander are finalists. Only Rutschman has been an All-Star.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Anthony Santander RF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Austin Hays LF
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Jorge Mateo 2B
Heston Kjerstad DH
Colton Cowser CF

Cole Irvin LHP

Triple-A Norfolk’s Julio Teheran optioned out of his Triple-A contract today after making four starts with Norfolk and allowing 17 runs and 23 hits in 16 2/3 innings. He walked 11 batters and struck out 12.

Teheran had two stints in the organization, including spring training, without returning to the majors.

Teheran allowed two runs in six innings on June 15 and one run in six innings in his next start, but was torched for seven in two-thirds in his last outing.

Kyle Stowers hit his 53^rd career home run today to pass former Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich for the most in Tides history. He added a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

Terrin Vavra rejoined Norfolk and had a walk, triple and two runs scored in his first two plate appearances. Left-hander Tucker Davidson tossed five scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 2.22.

High-A Aberdeen infielder Tavian Josenberger was reinstated from the injured list. Right-hander Bradley Brehmer was transferred from Aberdeen to Double-A Bowie.

Steve Melewski is handling game coverage. I’ll be in Seattle and Oakland.