Orioles try to avoid sweep today in the Bronx

NEW YORK - The Orioles made half of their roster moves yesterday by optioning left-handers Jayson Aquino and Vidal Nuño to Triple-A Norfolk. They brag about having more optionable pieces this year and no longer being handcuffed when their bullpen is taxed. They're now providing a demonstration.

If Richard Bleier is recalled, and he's been discussed, the left-hander will be returning to Yankee Stadium. He appeared in 23 games with New York as a rookie last season and posted a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings. He shut out the Orioles on one hit over three innings.

With the Yankees starting rookie left-hander and 2014 fourth-round pick Jordan Montgomery this afternoon, the Orioles most likely will return Joey Rickard to left field and the top spot in the order.

Rickard came off the disabled list before Friday night's opener and went 2-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored. He had two infield hits, his speed again a prime weapon.

It also showed defensively.

"The thing that jumped out at you was balls hit to left field that required a quick first step and reaction and he's sitting there waiting on it. That's the first thing that jumps out at you," said manager Buck Showalter.

"You can tell he's excited to be back in a major league lineup and back in a major league uniform and ballpark. Sometimes, that's infectious. And I think just the all-around game.

"It was a challenge for us last year when we lost him."

Wade Miley won't have Caleb Joseph behind the plate today. Welington Castillo finally gets a turn.

Miley is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 1.000 WHIP over 26 innings with Joseph catching his first four starts. His walk totals are seven, none, one and six.

The Yankees haven't lost to Miley in his eight career starts against them. He's 0-3 with a 4.96 ERA and 1.478 WHIP in 45 1/3 innings, and has posted a 4.70 ERA and 1.565 WHIP in four starts in the Bronx over 23 innings.

The current group is batting .218 (29-for-133) with no home runs against Miley. Starlin Castro is 3-for-23.

So what do we know about Montgomery besides being a fourth-rounder who throws with his left hand? He attended the University of South Carolina, is 25-14 with a 2.57 ERA in 61 minor league games, is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in three starts with the Yankees this month over 16 2/3 innings, has back-to-back quality starts, right-handers are hitting .309 against him, left-handers are hitting .286 and opponents are 2-for-17 with a home run with runners in scoring position.

He may or may not enjoy long walks on the beach.

Left-hander Zach Britton will pitch another inning today at Double-A Bowie. He went two-thirds of an inning on Friday, serving up a home run and walking two batters.

"Physically, he felt good," Showalter said. "All the velocities will tick up when they come up here. He said actually the ball was moving too much. Unlike him, he was missing up some, which is really unusual."