Mullins leading off tonight for Orioles

Rookie center fielder Cedric Mullins returns to the Orioles lineup tonight after missing last night's game with a hip flexor.

The Orioles open their three-game series against the Blue Jays with Chris Davis batting cleanup, Trey Mancini the designated hitter and Jace Peterson in left field.

Rookie David Hess also faced the Blue Jays in his most recent start at Rogers Centre and held them to one run and three hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings. Kendrys Morales broke a scoreless tie with a home run in the seventh.

Morales has homered in seven consecutive games, one shy of the major league record.

Hess has been impressive in two starts against the Jays, allowing only two runs in 13 innings.

Sam Gaviglio's last start also came against the Orioles, and he held them to two runs with seven strikeouts over seven innings. Mullins homered off him.

Gaviglio made a July 20 start against the Orioles, also in Toronto, and allowed four runs with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. Davis and Tim Beckham hit home runs.

Davis has 37 strikeouts in 77 at-bats this month.

Mancini is batting .324 (48-for-148) with seven home runs when leading off an inning.

Peterson had the first multi-stolen-base game of his career last night. He's 11-for-14 in stolen-base attempts this season.

Jonathan Villar is 19-for-21 in stolen base attempts this season and has been successful in his last 11.

Caleb Joseph is batting .279 (29-for-104) in 32 home games and .148 (16-for-108) in 32 road games.

The Orioles are 1-12 against the Jays this season.

Right-hander Cody Carroll was named the top International League reliever in Baseball America's "Best Tools" issue.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Jonathan Villar 2B
Adam Jones RF
Chris Davis 1B
Trey Mancini DH
Tim Beckham SS
Renato Núñez 3B
Jace Peterson LF
Caleb Joseph C

David Hess RHP