McKenna playing major role off bench, Means close to rejoining Orioles

The comeback that unfolded for the Orioles in the ninth inning Tuesday night, before the Angels rallied to tie and lost in the 10^th, began with Adam Frazier and Ryan O’Hearn producing clutch hits in reserve. Frazier doubles with one out and scores on O’Hearn’s line drive single. Depth again playing its role in defining the 2023 club.

The Orioles keep finding ways. Many times, they only have to look as far as their bench.

Manager Brandon Hyde has done a nice job rotating players to multiple positions and out of the lineup. Frazier made 90 starts at second base and seven in the outfield. O’Hearn made 44 starts at first base, 16 in the outfield and 10 as the designated hitter.

“We’ve got really talented hitters up and down the lineup, and depth like that helps,” O’Hearn told reporters.

“We care a lot. We want to win. We want to win the division. We love each other. We play for each other. We trust each other. It’s not just me down there practicing and trying to get ready for every inning. It’s every guy on the bench, all (five) guys on the bench down there are getting ready to hit to potentially impact the game.”

You know who’s impacted many of them? Backup outfielder Ryan McKenna, who has been optioned twice this season and is trying to hold onto his spot on a roster that could undergo more September changes.

McKenna leads the Orioles with six pinch-hits in 11 at-bats. O’Hearn was next with four going into last night, and his six RBIs ranked first.

Told of his numbers during the last homestand, McKenna smiled and said, “Honestly, I didn’t know that which is kind of cool.”

“I think part of the preparation is being ready physically and mentally. Just being aware even before the series starts who could you potentially face, what’s the repertoire, what’s their pitch shapes. All that stuff kind of goes into it,” he said.

“We also have a lot of specific tools that we can utilize to get us ready in the middle of the game, which is huge. Pitching machines, seeing shapes and seeing some velo. Weight equipment that we can make sure our bodies are ready to fire from that first pitch on. Just being prepared.”

The Orioles’ 23 pitch hits before last night ranked sixth in the American League and 10^th in the majors. McKenna was fourth in the AL and sixth in the majors.

O’Hearn’s RBI total was one behind leaders David Peralta, Austin Slater and Alejandro Kirk.

There’s also a skill in anticipating what Hyde might do with his in-game strategy. Managing along with him to avoid being caught by surprise. Reading situations through his eyes.

“Absolutely,” said McKenna, who was 8-for-16 with a double and home run before last night in late and close situations, per baseball-reference.com, and 9-for-27 in tie games. “I think matchups, and then lining up with positions, too, defensively. Where I could go in and be a positive impact there. Just kind of knowing what it has been in the past and what’s worked. Understand everything that’s involved.”

* John Means made his final injury rehab start last night at Triple-A Norfolk and allowed three runs and six hits in five innings. He was pulled after 67 pitches, which felt like a de-load.

Means’ assignment ends on Friday and the Orioles can remove him from the 60-day injured list, put him on the 28-man roster and make the corresponding pitching move. He’s made three starts with Norfolk and three with Double-A Bowie. His last game in the majors was April 13, 2022, against the Brewers at Camden Yards.

It’s time to get him back to the majors.

To keep Means on normal rest or beyond, the Orioles would withhold using him until at least Monday at home against the Cardinals. They haven’t confirmed whether he’s going into the rotation or bullpen.

An arrangement with six starters makes it easier to fit Means, but Hyde indicated to reporters in Anaheim that the Orioles could go back to five as the playoffs approach.

“We’re still talking about all that,” he said. "We’re mapping out some guys for certain teams and series. Might have a spot start here and there. Might just go straight five-man. Lot of different scenarios.

“We’re kind of getting through the weekend in Boston and then kind of reset a little bit. We’ve got Tampa and some big games coming up. All these are big games and trying to act accordingly."

After that media session, Hyde confirmed yesterday that the starters for the weekend series against the Red Sox in Boston won't include Cole Irvin. The Orioles are starting Kyle Bradish, Jack Flaherty and Grayson Rodriguez.

Asked about Irvin, Hyde said, “He’s going to be kind of a length guy right now. Kind of get through the weekend and evaluate series-to-series right now.”