Showalter talks up Santander (plus a game update)

OAKLAND, Calif. - It may now be just a matter of days before the Orioles get a look at Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander at the major league level. Manager Buck Showalter is excited to see what he's got.

The 22-year-old native of Venezuela was taken from the Indians organization last December at the Winter Meetings.

Santander played for Lynchburg in the Carolina League last year. He batted .290/.368/.494 with 42 doubles, 20 home runs, 90 runs scored, 95 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 128 games. In 2016, he was selected as a Carolina League postseason All-Star after leading the league in extra-base hits (62) and doubles.

But he's been on the big league disabled list this entire year and is at Double-A Bowie now on a rehab assignment that will end after the games of next Tuesday. He can't be optioned as a Rule 5 selection, so the assumption is that he'll be in the majors starting next Wednesday.

In 12 games for the Baysox, Santander is batting .400/.489/.825 with five doubles, four homers and 12 RBIs.

"He's doing good, he's doing real good at a level he hasn't played at much," Showalter said. "I was talking to (minor league instructor) Mike Bordick and (Bowie manager) Gary Kendall and they are really impressed with this young man. He's a good looking player. He's got to join us after the 15th.

"I'm excited about getting a look at him. We'll figure out how it fits. More excited about the challenges he's overcome to get to this point. A really nice job by the organization of getting him healthy. Plus knowing the challenges we were going to have once we got him and willing to take on that challenge to potentially have a nice piece at the end. Good looking player."

Santander's Rule 5 status is going to carry over into next season. But a player only has to be on the active roster for 90 consecutive days. They don't have to fall in the same year. Santander's days later this summer can be added to his days at the start of the 2018 season to total 90. He could then be optioned to the minors after that.

Tied up early on tonight: Moved to the leadoff spot today, shortstop Tim Beckham immediately delivered for the Orioles tonight. He tripled to deep center on a 2-2 pitch to start the game. Manny Machado followed with a slow roller to third, Beckham scored and the O's led 1-0 two batters into the game.

The lead didn't last long as Oakland tied it in the home half. Rajai Davis led off with a single. Wade Miley had him picked off first, but first baseman Trey Mancini's throw toward second hit Davis, who advanced to third. It was a stolen base and error on Mancini. Jed Lowrie's one-out sac fly to right tied it up at 1-1.

The game was tied 1-1 heading to the fourth.

Longball for the lead: The Orioles used the home run ball to break the tie. Adam Jones and Mancini hit back-to-back homers in the fourth for a 3-1 lead. Jones hit No. 21 414 feet to left center. Mancini hit No. 19 a distance of 391 feet to right field. Jones hit a 3-2 pitch and Mancini hit the next pitch out. It's the eighth time this year the Orioles hit back-to-back homers.

Longball to extend lead: The O's used the longball again two innings later and again hit back-to-back homers on consecutive pitches. Mancini blasted his second of the game and 20^th on the year for a 4-1 lead, and Mark Trumbo followed with another for 5-1. Trumbo snapped an 0-for-24 stretch. The Orioles have seven hits, all for extra bases tonight. They hit three homers in three games in Anaheim and have four in this game.