Resting Bleier, Hart's arrival, Britton's availability (O's win 7-6)

The Orioles recalled Donnie Hart today from Triple-A Norfolk because they wanted a rested left-hander in the bullpen while backing off Richard Bleier, who appeared in all three games of the Red Sox series over the weekend.

Bleier has pitched in the last five games over a span of six days, an unusual occurrence under manager Buck Showalter.

"But not with the amount we're using him," Showalter said.

This is true. Bleier has faced one batter in three of his last four outings, twice walking a left-hander and coming out of the game.

Showalter said Bleier is physically ready to face one hitter again tonight, "but I just don't want to."

"Obviously, we wouldn't have done it in a 12-2 game," Showalter said. "I'd rather not do it."

Bleier's 1.78 ERA in 43 appearances is the lowest on the club.

"I'm pleasantly surprised," Showalter said. "Just, you don't know. There's not a big track record there. I know that the people that recommended him and thought we should take a look at him based a lot on what our hitters were telling them when they could come back in after a game.

"The people in the area, in the box, get a lot of feedback on them. 'Hey, I didn't do particularly well, but I see him good.' But they kept talking about Richard, they don't see the ball well off him, and he can defend himself against right-handed hitters.

"You don't realize it until you look at him career-wise, statistically his walk totals are pretty low for someone who's walked a couple guys recently. Which makes me worry a little bit about some of the usage, but Richard's a guy who wants to and likes to pitch every day. He said, 'I get better if I'm up every day.'"

Hart is available to pitch more than one inning tonight. He's 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA in 12 appearances in Norfolk and has gone 1-0 with a 3.12 ERA in 39 games with the Orioles.

"We didn't want to go into the series without a left-handed pitcher for the first day," Showalter said. "We've got reinforcements coming on the 1st and probably some more will join us in the 5th. The minicamp in Sarasota starts on the 8th."

Dylan Bundy remains the scheduled starter for Tuesday night. He's expected back in Baltimore later today after going on the bereavement list.

Hart could be optioned on Tuesday to make room for Bundy. There are other ways for the Orioles to approach it, but Hart is an obvious candidate.

The Orioles optioned Mike Wright today while recalling Hart, and he can't return for 10 days unless replacing an injured player. It no longer matters, via a new rule, that Norfolk's season ends on Sept. 4.

Showalter said Wright will start Wednesday for the Tides.

Closer Zach Britton is available tonight and likely will pitch. Showalter doesn't want Britton sitting for too long and seems comfortable with using him tonight, though Britton felt ready on Sunday.

"He's ready to go," Showalter said.

The Orioles are expected to bring up a catcher and a pitcher on Sept. 1, and they also could add a position player.

"A lot has to do with how quickly J.J. (Hardy) is progressing," Showalter said. "I haven't heard anything yet today."

Top prospect Chance Sisco could have his contract selected from Norfolk as the third catcher, the idea being that he'd benefit from exposure to a pennant race. He wouldn't get an extended look as long as the Orioles are in playoff contention.

Showalter talked about the expanded roster with executive vice president Dan Duquette on the flight home yesterday and he's been in contact today with Norfolk manager Ron Johnson, who needs to know whether he should adjust how he's using certain players who could come up on Sept. 1 or 5.

Update: Danny Valencia homered off Chris Tillman with two outs in the second inning to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.

Update II: Welington Castillo's two-run single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead.

Update III: Manny Machado doubled with one out in the third inning and scored on Jonathan Schoop's bloop single for a 3-1 lead. Schoop has 96 RBIs.

Update IV: Tillman walked two batters in the fourth and Ben Gamel hit a three-run homer to give the Mariners a 4-3 lead.

Update V: The Orioles scored twice in the bottom of the fourth on Craig Gentry's bases-loaded RBI single and a Marco Gonzales pitch that hit Tim Beckham on the left foot. Orioles 5, Mariners 4

Update VI: Adam Jones led off the fifth inning with his 250th career home run to give the Orioles a 6-4 lead, but Mychal Givens let two inherited runners score in the sixth to tie the game 6-6.

Tillman was charged with all six runs in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed three hits and walked four batters.

Update VII: Chris Davis doubled to score Trey Mancini in the seventh and give the Orioles a 7-6 lead.