Showalter pregame and Jones on donation to LL team (game update)

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles starting lineup today doesn't include center fielder Adam Jones or first baseman Chris Davis. Jones is just getting a day off.

But is it not the exact same scenario for Davis.

"He's banged up a little bit. We're going to give him the benefit of another day and the off-day tomorrow. Hopefully, he's back in the lineup Tuesday. Just felt like he needed one more day," manager Buck Showalter said.

Showalter was asked today if he's noticed if Davis has become more vocal and assertive and/or less so in the clubhouse since the trades.

"Not yet. I think right now Chris is more trying to get back into what Chris is capable of. One of those things where you've gotta take care of yourself first, and I think Chris is focused on that. I think you'll see some of that as things settle in a little bit. He's certainly capable of that. I think there are a lot of things like that that go on beyond the scenes that you don't see every day," Showalter said.

Showalter pointed out last night how well struggling reliever Mychal Givens threw in that loss. Givens came on in the eighth and got a fly out and two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches and touched 98 mph. Givens is trying to find consistent mechanics to lower an ERA that is at a career-high 4.83.

"Being able to stay together mechanically over a long season is hard," Showalter said. "Because Mike's stuff is so good, sometimes he can get away with the command not being there. But when he gets the command and the stuff like he had last night, it's fun to watch. He's not been able to get the ball where he wants to get it. Just trying to stay more in his mechanics has been harder for him this year. Last night I told him coming up the runway, 'That was it.' It's not a velocity thing.

"Sometimes when guys are struggling they try to throw through the mechanics and throw 96 instead of 93. That is what happened to David Hess the other night. He tried to go up to 95 or 96 and he wasn't locating, instead of going down and locating the ball."

Showalter said outfielder Craig Gentry is expected to play for Double-A Bowie on Tuesday and Steve Wilkerson is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday.

Jones talks about his donation: Jones took a few questions from the local media today about something he did that has become a national story.

The Mamie Johnson Little League team in Washington, D.C. needed money to get to a huge tournament in Bristol, Conn. Jones donated $8,500 to cover the team's travel expenses as they attempt to advance to the Little League World Series.

The Mamie Johnson Little League team is the first predominantly black team to advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional, the final stepping stone toward the Little League World Series.

"It meant an opportunity for a group of young men that deserved it," Jones said. "This was something easy for me to do for these kids to get what they earned and deserved. Not just myself, but other people donated to them. We're watching their journey and it's amazing to see these kids. I FaceTimed them the other day and was able to see their energy. It's about giving the next generation an opportunity to succeed.

"Hopefully, they advance to the next round. But whatever they do, so far they've opened up a lot of eyes in their community and around the country. It's a bigger story now. People are going to cheer a little harder for them, and they deserve it."

Did Jones make the donation to bring more exposure to that team?

"The thing is that sometimes you just have to do what's right, and that is what's right. These kids deserve an opportunity to further their season. Hopefully, these kids make their families and their communities proud."

Jones is reluctant to talk about his charity work and he obviously doesn't do it to generate publicity for himself. In fact, often times he does things that don't get media attention.

"I like to do things to do them," he said. "The power of social media has created a storm but it's a good storm to have. You see what LeBron (James) did when he opened a school. There are others doing great things. Us black men, we're successful, we see ourselves in these kids. It's not hard to give back."

O's trail early again: Texas took a 2-1 lead in the first inning on a Robinson Chirinos two-run single off Yefry Ramírez. Mark Trumbo's RBI single had put the Orioles ahead 1-0 in their half of the first. Through one today, O's starters have allowed 21 runs in 12 innings in this series.

Wynns for the lead: Catcher Austin Wynns put the Orioles ahead with a three-run homer to left off Drew Hutchison in the second inning. It scored Trey Mancini and Joey Rickard, who had both walked. It was Wynns' third homer. The O's lead is 4-2.

Ramírez removed: Texas scored three more runs in the second to lead 5-4 and Ramírez had no command today as he walked five and allowed five runs in 1 2/3 innings.

O's starters in this series: 12 1/3 innings, 24 hits, 24 runs, 21 earned runs.

But the Orioles moved back ahead on Trumbo's two-run homer in the third and it's 6-5.