Orioles recall Castro and option Hart (O's down 5-4)

DETROIT - The Orioles had another roster move in them before tonight's game against the Tigers.

Pitcher Miguel Castro has been recalled from Double-A Bowie, with left-hander Donnie Hart optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Castro will wear No. 50.

Castro made one relief appearance with the Baysox after leaving extended spring training and allowed one run and six hits over four innings. He didn't walk a batter.

The Orioles acquired Castro, 22, from the Rockies on April 7 for a player to be named or cash. He appeared in 37 games over the past two seasons and registered a 6.12 ERA and 1.670 WHIP over 32 1/3 innings.

"A good arm," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's always been a guy that everybody's liked. He's got a good arm, good stuff and he's got some major league experience. He's been throwing well. He spent some time in extended to get going with his inactivity. But he's been pitching now and he was our best option."

Hart is 1-0 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.683 WHIP this season in 19 games spanning 13 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs in the 12th inning last night after the Orioles took an 11-8 lead over the Tigers.

Hart has hit a rough patch that contributed to the decision to option him to Norfolk, where he's never pitched after making the jump last season from Bowie to the majors. He turned in 12 scoreless appearances in April, but has allowed six runs and 11 hits in seven outings this month covering six innings.

Left-handers are 8-for-26 (.308) against Hart after he held them last season to five hits in 38 at-bats for a .132 average.

"Donnie's capable of pitching a little better," Showalter said. "He's hit a little rut there. He's done some good things. If he goes down there and does what he's capable of, he'll be back. But it's an open end.

"It's like what we told (Stefan) Crichton a couple times that he's gone down there and done the job and that's why he's come back. There will be a need. Hopefully, it will settle out some."

Richard Bleier is the only left-hander in the bullpen with Hart gone and closer Zach Britton on the disabled list.

Alec Asher survived the cuts today despite working 2 2/3 innings last night.

"If you look at the club we're playing today and tomorrow, and the club we're playing next in Toronto, we want to be a little more right-handed." Showalter said.

"He's shown quick recuperative skills. I think in a day or two he'll be available again. He's already told us he's available tonight, which he's not.

"Mychal (Givens) needs a day or two. Hopefully, I think Brad (Brach) and Darren (O'Day) feel good, so they will be available. That's basically it. So, we need some length tonight."

Castro is the second addition today after the Orioles recalled Crichton from Norfolk and designated catcher Francisco Peña for assignment.

"Just some repercussions of a lot of things that have been going on with our pitching and extra innings and some short starts," Showalter said.

Britton will throw on flat ground from 60 feet on Thursday as he begins a throwing program in Sarasota.

Update: The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on consecutive singles by Jonathan Schoop, Welington Castillo and Trey Mancini, and J.J. Hardy's bouncer that produced an out at second base. However, the Tigers tied the game in the bottom half on Tyler Collins' home run to center field with one out - his first hit in 31 at-bats - and grabbed a 2-1 lead on Ian Kinsler's two-out single to center field that scored James McCann.

Ubaldo Jiménez has thrown 48 pitches in two innings.

Update II: The Orioles scored twice in the fourth off Michael Fulmer to take a 3-2 lead, the rally starting with a throwing error by shortstop José Iglesias.

Schoop doubled and Castillo singled to score Mark Trumbo and tie the game. Mancini followed with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Castillo is 5-for-8 since coming off the disabled list.

Jiménez has thrown 68 pitches in three innings.

Update III: Collins struck again, hitting a three-run homer in the fifth to give Detroit a 5-4 lead. It's the first multi-homer game of his career.

The Orioles led 4-2 after two-out doubles by Chris Davis and Trumbo in the top of the inning.

Jiménez has thrown 95 pitches and Stefan Crichton is warming.