Mountcastle lowered to sixth in order (game postponed)

An opposing left-handed starter didn't tempt manager Brandon Hyde to keep Ryan Mountcastle as the cleanup hitter.

Mountcastle has been lowered to sixth in the order tonight against the Mariners' Justus Sheffield. He batted fourth in eight of nine games.

Though he's doubled twice and homered this month, Mountcastle is 7-for-38 (.184) with a .541 OPS and 17 strikeouts that lead the majors. He's 3-for-18 with nine strikeouts in the last four games.

Mountcastle doubled in his second at-bat yesterday, but also fanned three times, including after Ryan McKenna's leadoff triple in the sixth.

Maikel Franco is batting cleanup tonight for the 114th time in his career.

"I'm just trying to take a little pressure off Ryan," Hyde said of Mountcastle. "He's putting so much pressure on himself. I wanted the right-handers in there against Sheffield. He's got a really good arm, we've got our work cut out for us. I watched a video on him earlier today. Someone we faced a couple years ago. He's going to be tough on us. Trying to stack up right-handers there in the middle.

"I just wanted to kind of give Ryan a little bit of a breather. Talked about it with him. And just try to let him breathe through his at-bats a little bit. I just see him really pressing."

Though back in his role as designated hitter, Mountcastle keeps taking fly balls in the outfield and is going to get other opportunities to play defense. He was on the field earlier today.

Hyde used five relievers Saturday night and four yesterday, with starter Jorge López unable to retire a batter in the fifth inning. He mentioned after Saturday's loss that he wanted to give Dillon Tate a few days off. Rule 5 selections Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells aren't available.

Bringing in a fresh arm today from the alternate training site was discussed and rejected.

"There was some consideration, but we're going to go with what we have tonight," Hyde said. "I do feel comfortable that we have (Wade) LeBlanc, who can go long. Hoping that Dean Kremer can give us some innings tonight."

The minor league season doesn't start for three more weeks, but the Orioles can evaluate which pitchers are ready if they choose to adjust their staff. Hyde reads the daily reports coming from Bowie. It isn't complicated.

"We're very, very aware of how guys are doing at our alternate site, just like we were last year when we had to make decisions without games being played, mainly going off intrasquad and controlled simulation games and we made decisions when to call guys up," Hyde said. "It's going to be the same thing this year until the Triple-A season's going, but we're very aware of what's going on."

Anthony Santander was credited with a sacrifice bunt yesterday in the first inning on a 3-1 count after Trey Mancini drew a one-out walk. He wasn't following instructions from the dugout. Santander did it on his own.

"I don't want Anthony Santander bunting with a 3-1 count and a runner on first base, just like I don't want Cedric Mullins bunting with two strikes in New York," Hyde said.

"I like to give guys freedom. I think we're pretty inexperienced in a lot of ways. Both of those were surprises, but I think our guys are going to learn from those. I think the bunt is definitely necessary at times and I think the situation calls for it. It's going to be right in your face, when you know, 'Now is the time where I try to lay one down.'

"Cedric, it's a weapon, so it's part of his game, but when you're a left-handed bat like Santander or Chance Sisco or Rio Ruiz, it's all about game situation and understanding where we are, do we need a baserunner, where they're playing, etc. And if I'm Anthony Santander in a 3-1 count, one, I'm looking to drive the baseball, and two, if I do decide to lay a bunt down and I only have one strike on me, it's either going to be fair or foul. I'm not going to allow the pitcher ever to be able to come over and get it. So I think all of these things we're still learning."

For the Mariners
Mitch Haniger DH
Ty France 2B
Kyle Seager 3B
José Marmolejos LF
Luis Torrens C
Taylor Trammell CF
Evan White 1B
Dylan Moore RF
J.P. Crawford SS

Justus Sheffield LHP

Note: The game has been postponed and will be made up Tuesday as part of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m.