O's game blog: John Means starts White Sox series opener

The Orioles road trip moves on to Chicago and they start a three-game series tonight in the windy city. The Orioles (10-19) went 0-3 at Minnesota, scoring just four runs. They've lost seven of nine and 14 of the last 19 games.

Left-handers get the start with John Means (3-2, 1.74 ERA) facing Manny Bañuelos (1-0, 2.51 ERA). In his three starts, Means is 1-2 with a 2.08 ERA. He has averaged 6.9 strikeouts/nine innings in his starts and 15.3 per nine when pitching out of the bullpen.

The White Sox lost two of three at Camden Yards last week and is 11-14 overall, but 7-5 over its past 12 games. The Sox are 5-6 at home and 3-6 versus the AL East.

Chicago's Tim Anderson leads the American League with a .385 average. José Abreu owns a seven-game hitting streak, going 15-for-30 (.500) with four doubles, two home runs and 14 RBIs. Abreu is a .352/.410/.607 (51-for-145) hitter with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 36 career games against Baltimore.

A few notes from the O's farm: Despite seeing their season-opening 12-game home winning streak come to an end in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader, the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds (17-4) own the second-best record by winning percentage (.810) in all of minor league baseball. Delmarva, which is off today, has lost two in a row for the first time all season.

Triple-A Norfolk (9-15) is playing at Durham tonight with lefty Keegan Akin (0-1, 4.58 ERA) on the mound. Christopher Bostick has recorded a hit in 11 straight games, the longest hitting streak by a Tide this year. In that span, Bostick has hit .326 (14-for-43) with a home run, four doubles and 12 RBIs. His five RBIs Friday set a new career-high.

In five games since joining Norfolk from Baltimore on April 23, outfielder Cedric Mullins has batted .278 (5-for-18) with four runs, seven walks and a .480 on-base percentage. Right-handed reliever Jay Flaa has thrived over his first five Triple-A appearances, posting a 1.50 ERA with one save. Flaa has held opponents to a .132 average (5-for-38), with right-handers batting just .053 (1-for-19) against him.

With the promotion of pitcher Yefry Ramirez to Baltimore today, there have now been 14 different players to appear on the active roster for both the Orioles and Tides this year.

Single-A Frederick (9-14) opens a series at home versus Wilmington tonight. After posting an 11.58 ERA in the Fayetteville series, Keys starters were outstanding against the Winston-Salem Dash. Cody Sedlock, David Lebron and DL Hall combined to record a 1.13 ERA to go with 21 strikeouts (11.8 SO/9IP). Sedlock's start also ranked as the second quality outing by a Frederick pitcher in 2019.

Sedlock has been among the most consistent starting pitchers in the Carolina League this season. Through four starts, the former Illinois product is 1-0 with a 2.49 ERA. That ERA is the best on the Keys staff, while he has limited opponents to a .169/.289/.366 slash line to go with a .655 OPS. In all four of Sedlock's starts, he has held opponents to two runs or less while working at least five innings.

After losing two of three against Akron this weeked, Double-A Bowie (5-18) is hosting Richmond tonight. Lefty Bruce Zimmermann (0-0, 1.59 ERA) got the start. Left-hander Alex Wells earned his first career Double-A win Saturday, throwing seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on three hits with one walk and a pair of strikeouts. Rylan Bannon homered for his third long ball of the year.

Orioles minor league leaders through Sunday's games

Batting average: Mason McCoy, Frederick, .352
Home Runs: Ryan Mountcastle, Norfolk, 4
RBIs: Mountcastle with 18
Stolen bases: Adam Hall, Delmarva, 11
ERA: Grayson Rodriguez, Delmarva, 0.54
Wins: Tyler Joyner, Delmarva, 4
Saves: Tim Naughton, Delmarva, 4