Means back on the mound, plus a take on the ninth inning

To say the least, the Orioles' search for starting pitching is ongoing. Their rotation ERA of 6.09 is the worst in the majors and their three starting pitchers covered just 11 2/3 innings in the weekend series in Anaheim, allowing 12 runs.

The O's know they have a good one - really, this year he's been a great one - in John Means. The lefty is their ace and he can't get back here soon enough.

Means took a big step toward a return to the rotation yesterday, throwing a sharp two-inning rehab stint at Ripken Stadium for high Single-A Aberdeen against the Brooklyn Cyclones.

He retired six of the seven batters he faced, throwing 18 of his 25 pitches for strikes. He threw first-pitch strikes to six of seven batters. He gave up a solo homer to a hitter who now has 10 home runs on the year. But his fastball worked between 90 and 94 mph and he threw all his pitches. His health is good. He's been out since June 5 with a strained left shoulder.

Means said he threw often while rehabbing in Sarasota and got in one live batting practice session before he took the mound for the first time in a month on Sunday in Aberdeen.

He is now expected to make one rehab outing for Double-A Bowie and one for Triple-A Norfolk before he returns to the majors. He hopes the shoulder issue, which has hampered him in past seasons, is in his rear-view mirror for a long time.

"I think it kind of stems from that," he said, referring to the shoulder problems he's experienced in previous seasons. "Honestly, it's me needing to take care of myself a little bit more. Had some tightness in the back of the shoulder, and I think that's what it was. Just attacking that, I have a game plan now to try and take care of that. I think it should be good from here on out."

With the O's losses mounting, it had to be tough for Means to watch his teammates on television from afar.

"It's just tough not being with the team right now. Good or bad, I miss the guys. I miss being there and I can't wait to get back," he said.

Means said it was exciting to again pitch in a game, especially at Ripken Stadium.

"Yeah, being this ballpark. It's been a while," he said." I think last time I was here was 2014, and it was one of my favorites in the minor leagues. And just to be out here playing competitive baseball, it's nice."

In none of the last eight games has an O's starting pitcher thrown five innings, and the rotation has gone 11 games in a row without a six-inning outing. The Orioles have just two such outings in the last 30 games. This coincides, basically, with Means time on the injured list.

The O's need him back. The sight of Means on a mound Sunday was a real good one.

The challenge of the ninth inning: In their first 81 games of this season, the Orioles suffered two walk-off losses. Now they have added two to that total in the last three games.

The ninth inning is just different.

The game shows us examples of this all the time. The debates where some insist "they are the same three outs" as in the fifth, sixth or any other inning is technically correct. But really, it's not. Those outs are harder to get and the pressure is different. The Orioles are 30 games under .500 and yet the pressure is still there.

I don't write this to throw Cole Sulser under the bus. He's had a good year, and yesterday - for me, anyway - doesn't come close to erasing or changing that.

But the ninth inning is different.

Maybe it's because you see your bullpen teammates pitch lights-out and then it's your turn. Maybe it's because you see your team come from 4-0 down but now it's your turn. Maybe it's because you see Cedric Mullins doing amazing things to get you a lead and a win, but now it's your turn.

If you can do the job, the final job of the game, you all win. The pressure is clearly there. If the Orioles can produce a contending team over the next few years, getting an experienced closer who can deal with all that and still succeed will be very important. A closer who can blow Tuesday's game but save the one on Wednesday.

Because the ninth inning is different.