This, that and the other

The Orioles’ posted lineup yesterday had Ryan McKenna in center field instead of Colton Cowser for the third game in a row. Three out of the four played at Rogers Centre.

Facing left-handers Hyun Jin Ryu and Yusei Kikuchi provided a built-in explanation. Sitting Cowser yesterday against right-hander Kevin Gausman required one.

Manager Brandon Hyde cited Gausman’s career reverse splits during his pregame session with the assembled media. But he also explained how a few days of extra work and batting practice could benefit Cowser, along with a chance to “relax.”

This is one way for a contender to handle a rookie’s struggles. The other, of course, would be to option him.

If wins weren’t as important in the grand scheme, like over the past four years, the Orioles could keep starting Cowser and view it as part of his development. But that won’t work in 2023.

Cowser is 6-for-52 with two doubles, four RBIs, nine walks and 18 strikeouts in 63 plate appearances. He had three hits in his first five games and 16 at-bats.

“There is nothing like facing major league pitching," Hyde told the assembled media Monday afternoon, before Cowser went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. "It doesn’t matter what your Triple-A numbers are. It’s a completely different level. The stuff you are seeing is just different and it takes time to adjust for some guys. Colton is going to be a really good major league player who is going through a slow start from a results standpoint.”

Asked yesterday about Cowser and reliever Shintaro Fujinami, who entered a tie game Wednesday night and let two inherited runners score with a walk and two hit batters, Hyde steered the conversation back to contention.

“There’s no real soft landing in the big leagues, especially in August and you’re trying to win,” Hyde said.

“It’s not ’19, ’20 or ’21 here now.”

And we’re not in Kansas anymore.

Cowser is trying to stay out of Scranton Wilkes-Barre.

There’s nothing left to prove in the International League, but Grayson Rodriguez was exposed to a reset and came back better. Cowser has an opportunity as a left-handed hitter while Cedric Mullins and Aaron Hicks are on the injured list. He can play all three outfield positions. And he’s a skilled hitter with an advanced eye and approach, as any scout would tell you.

The Orioles appear to be choosing patience with Cowser, which is easier than sending a struggling starter to the mound every fifth day. Heston Kjerstad doesn’t play center field, except for four games in the Arizona Fall League, so he isn’t the simple swap that many fans are preaching. The club doesn’t want to shuttle Cowser.

But they also need to win games.

The balancing act that Hyde also talked about again yesterday.

Cowser replaced Ryan O’Hearn in right field yesterday in the seventh inning, batted in the ninth and lined a 95.1 mph fastball from Thomas Hatch at 106 mph for a double. He scored on Adam Frazier’s sacrifice fly.

Maybe that's patience paying off.

The Mets are starting left-handers David Peterson tonight and José Quintana Sunday. More chances to reset Cowser in the majors.

* Inherited runners are an issue for the Orioles.

Heading into yesterday, the Orioles had the fifth-highest percentage in the majors at 36.9 percent, with 75 0f 203 crossing the plate. They were 12^th in 2022 with 33.6 percent.

Bryan Baker was optioned Wednesday after allowing 51.5 percent of inherited runners to score, the second-most among qualified relievers.

* Left-hander Cade Povich, making his second Triple-A start, allowed one run and one hit yesterday over six innings against Charlotte.

MLB Pipeline ranks Povich as the organization’s No. 11 prospect. The Orioles acquired him from the Twins in the 2022 Jorge López trade.

Keegan Akin tossed a scoreless inning on his rehab assignment, walking one batter and striking out one. Mychal Givens had two scoreless innings, striking out one and hitting a batter.

* Pitcher Jack Flaherty needed a new number with the Orioles after they acquired him from the Cardinals at the deadline.

They weren’t bringing Jim Palmer’s No. 22 out of retirement.

Flaherty wore 15 in yesterday’s debut start, when he held the Blue Jays to one run with eight strikeouts in six innings and retired 15 batters in a row - the first Orioles pitcher to work at least six innings with one run or fewer allowed in his first start with the club since Jeremy Hellickson against the Royals on Aug. 2, 2017.

The last Orioles player to wear 15? Catcher Chance Sisco from 2017-21.

Before Sisco was infielder Johnny Giavotella in 2017. Remember him? And before Giavotella were infielder Paul Janish and catcher Craig Tatum.

Perhaps forgotten is catcher Matt Wieters wearing 15 as a rookie in 2009 before switching to 32.

My mind immediately goes to Kevin Millar. It should have gone to Davey Johnson.

I will carry you away on my shoulders if your mind first went to outfielder Ramón Nivar in 2005.

* The homestand begins tonight with Mets manager Buck Showalter’s first appearance at Camden Yards since Sept. 30, 2018, when the Orioles shut out the Astros 4-0 to finish 47-115.

They had the first pick in the 2019 draft and selected catcher Adley Rutschman.

The Mets are below .500 and sellers. The Orioles have the best record in the American League and traded three minor leaguers for Flaherty.

This is why the games are played on the field instead of paper – besides how spikes would shred the paper.

The Orioles are holding a pregame ceremony Saturday to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the 1983 World Series championship. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:20 p.m.

More than 20 members of the team will be attending, including Hall of Famers Palmer, Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray.

The guest list also includes Al Bumbry, Mike Boddicker, Rick Dempsey, Scott McGregor, Tippy Martinez, Storm Davis, Ken Singleton, Dan Ford, John Shelby, Gary Roenicke, Tito Landrum, Lenn Sakata, Glenn Gulliver, John Stefero, Bill Swaggerty, Dan Morogiello and Allan Ramirez.

The first 20,000 fans 15 and over Saturday will receive a Murray World Series bobblehead.

The ceremonial first pitch Thursday is a special one, with WWII and Purple Heart and Gold Star recipient Lee Sassi celebrating his 101^st birthday. Sassi has collected every Oriole player card since the team moved to Baltimore in 1954.