Hays is back in Orioles' lineup for final game of road trip

ATLANTA – The Orioles still have a chance to win their eighth series in a row to draw within one of the club record.

The Braves rallied last night for a 5-4 win on Kevin Pillar’s two-run homer off Danny Coulombe in the eighth inning.

Austin Hays returns to the lineup, batting fifth and playing left field. James McCann is catching a morning game after a night game, and Adley Rutschman is on the bench.

Anthony Santander is the designated hitter and batting second. Gunnar Henderson is the shortstop and cleanup hitter, with Jorge Mateo on the bench.

Manager Brandon Hyde spoke to Mateo at the infielder’s locker after last night’s game, likely to tell him about the day off.

Ramón Urías moves from first base to third. Kyle Stowers is in right field.

Tyler Wells starts this morning in an 11:35 a.m. game on NBC/Peacock. The Braves are starting right-hander Bryce Elder.

Wells has a 3.34 ERA and 0.771 WHIP in six games and again looks like the staff’s first-half ace. He’s pitched into the sixth inning in all five starts.

The Braves saw Wells in 2021 but in a relief appearance. He faced two batters, retired them both and struck out one.

Elder, a fifth-round pick in 2020 out of the University of Texas, is 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA and 1.056 WHIP in six starts. The Braves keep bringing the arms.

Elder has allowed seven earned runs (eight total) and 29 hits in 36 innings. He’s surrendered only three home runs.

Left-handers are hitting .196/.268/.358 in 16 career games against Elder.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Anthony Santander DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Gunnar Henderson SS
Austin Hays LF
Adam Frazier 2B
Ramón Urías 3B
Kyle Stowers RF
James McCann C

Tyler Wells RHP

For the Braves
Ronald Acuña Jr. RF
Matt Olson 1B
Austin Riley 3B
Ozzie Albies 2B
Eddie Rosario LF
Marcell Ozuna DH
Michael Harris II CF
Orlando Arcia SS
Chadwick Tromp C

Bryce Elder RHP