Showalter on why just one call-up (plus a game update)

KANSAS CITY - The Orioles added just one player today, when rosters can expand to as many as 40 players. They are going to add more but it didn't happen this afternoon, as just infielder Breyvic Valera was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

So why just the one addition?

"You could ask Dan (Duquette), but I think they (the minor league teams) have three games there left," manager Buck Showalter said. "Same reason why, what did they (Kansas City) call up, one? They'll be right around the corner. We're fine. Valera traveled all day today. I'll probably play him tomorrow. Just want to let him get some rest and get his feet on the ground."

Could the Orioles have more roster additions on Sunday?

"Communicating with Dan, there is a possibility of that. But in Seattle for sure," Showalter added.

The Orioles have set their rotation for the first two games of the Seattle series. Lefty Josh Rogers (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will pitch Monday night, and right-hander Alex Cobb (4-15, 5.11 ERA) will start Tuesday. Wednesday's starter is yet to be announced. Showalter today repeated that this could be Rogers' last start, due to his season innings limit. But it might not be.

"We want to give Alex one more day (of rest), with some of the things he had going on with blisters," he said.

John Andreoli is back in tonight's starting lineup, batting eighth and playing left field. He gives the team another Craig Gentry-type player. Gentry was designated for assignment on Friday.

"We hope," Showalter said. "Craig is what, 34. He's a guy that came up with those skills. He got my attention when he was 25, 26. But there is a similar skill set. But there is some unknown. Andreoli is a guy with three options that keeps our maneuverability and allows us to have some depth. We're kind of looking at him to see if he can be a piece as we go forward.

"We're going to keep everybody in the mix and play them. I met with the infielders today, and the outfielders. We were going over a hit-and-run play. But kept the infielders to talk about what is going to happen this month, just so they know what the reasons are. (Steve) Wilkerson continues to progress. It will be up to Dan and them whether to have him here, but that is a possibility. I'm sure we'll add a third catcher at some point."

Showalter was displeased with Yefry Ramírez's bullpen appearance last night. After throwing three scoreless out of 'pen in the Yankee series, Ramírez gave up two runs in 2/3 of an inning Friday night. Is he strictly pitching out of the 'pen now?

"He might get a start," Showalter said. "You know, we are going to play it be ear. Lot of it has to do with how we feel with Andrew (Cashner) and Alex and Dylan (Bundy) and who else we might call up that may not be on the roster. What we are going to do with (Jimmy) Yacabonis? There might be another opportunity for him to start before its over. Little disappointed last night. (Ramírez) had been doing so well, well he had not been doing it so long, but intriguing in that role. But last night was tough."

Showalter said the Royals lineup is a good test for the Orioles defense. He lists six of their players whose foot speed forces defenders to hurry.

"I call it a clock alert. Like, for instance, with (Adalberto) Mondesi. Why even play double-play depth with a man on first? Like to know how many double plays he hits into left-handed."

O's get the lead: The Orioles lead 2-0 in the fourth tonight. John Andreoli's sac fly in the second provided the 1-0 lead after the Orioles loaded the bases on singles by Chris Davis, Tim Beckham and Renato Núñez. The O's made it 2-0 in the fourth on Beckham's 10th homer. He blasted a 3-1 fastball from right-hander Heath Fillmyer 431 feet to center. O's right-hander Dylan Bundy allowed five hits but no runs over the first three innings.

Royals on the board: K.C. right fielder Brett Phillips hit a solo homer to center in the fourth to cut the O's lead to 2-1. It was the 35th homer allowed by Bundy in 2018. That ties him with four others for the O's single-season record, which he will, obviously, have time to break. The others that allowed that many in one year as an Oriole: Robin Roberts in 1963, Scott McGregor in 1986, Sidney Ponson in 1999 and Jeremy Guthrie in 2009.

Royals take the lead: Kansas City scored twice in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead knock Bundy from the game. Ryan O'Hearn drew a leadoff walk and scored on a booming double to center by Brian Goodwin. That tied it 2-2. An RBI single by Rosell Herrera gave the Royals the 3-2 advantage. Bundy went 5 1/3 allowing eight hits and three runs on 101 pitches.

O's take the lead: Trey Mancini's 21st homer tied this game at 3-3 in the eighth. Later in the inning Beckham's double to left put the Orioles ahead 4-3 and gave him a four-hit night.