Improving Orioles brace for doubleheader vs. Jays

Maybe it’s not too late to alter the narrative on the season for the Baltimore Orioles. With the lineup closer to looking the way the club expected it to, there is growing confidence even with the trade deadline looming on Thursday.

Now another test comes with a day-night doubleheader against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Catcher Adley Rutschman came off the injury list and was among the batters to provide sparks as Baltimore belted four home runs in an 11-4 series-opening victory on Monday. Rutschman delivered three hits, including a pair of doubles, a much-coveted development after he had been out of the lineup for more than five weeks because of an oblique injury.

“I missed these guys so much, and to be able to get back out there again today, it was just the best,” Rutschman said.

The Orioles have won three games in a row and four of their last five.

The Blue Jays will try to dodge a three-game losing streak, which is something they haven’t experienced since they were swept June 13-15 in Philadelphia.

There also is concern about designated hitter George Springer, who was plunked up high by a ninth-inning pitch from Baltimore reliever Kade Strowd. Springer walked off the field as he was removed for a pinch runner.

“He’s doing all right,” Toronto manager John Schneider said postgame. “It kind of got him in his shoulder, then helmet. … He was able to turn a little bit, too.”

Two batters later, Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette grounded into a game-ending double play, ending his franchise-record streak of collecting hits in nine consecutive at-bats. Four Toronto players previous had 8-for-8 streaks.

The pitching matchups weren’t entirely clear for the doubleheader, though right-hander Charlie Morton (6-8, 5.48 ERA) is slated to be used by Baltimore in the opener.

Morton is coming off a 6 2/3-inning stint during a victory at Cleveland on Thursday, when he allowed three runs and five hits while walking four batters. With 99 strikeouts this year, the 41-year-old veteran is on the verge of reaching triple figures for the 10th time in his career.

In 10 all-time matchups against the Blue Jays, Morton is 2-3 with a 4.42 ERA.

Morton is unbeaten in nine home appearances since April 29, though he spent some of that time coming out of the bullpen.

Baltimore should have left-handed reliever Keegan Akin, who came off the injured list Monday, available for at least one of the games Tuesday. Akin had been out since July 1 due to an inflamed left shoulder.

Left-hander Eric Lauer (6-2, 2.61 ERA) will get the call for the Blue Jays in one of the games.

Lauer, who is averaging slightly more than one strikeout per inning, is aiming to pick up his third victory in as many starts. In 14 innings combined against the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers, he surrendered three runs without giving up a walk while striking out 13 batters.

Lauer’s only career start against Baltimore lasted 4 1/3 innings without a decision, as up four runs (three earned) on April 12, 2022.

Baltimore’s offense suddenly is showing encouraging traits. Coby Mayo has hit two of his three career home runs across the past four days.

Not only was Rutschman back, but he re-introduced himself with an eye-catching performance. It was his first multi-RBI game since June 5.

“He’s gone through some struggles here over probably a 300-at-bat span,” Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “That’s probably the right way to look at it. It felt like he was coming out of it a little bit when he got hurt. Today was another nice step in the right direction, so hopefully he continues.”

The Tuesday doubleheader came about because of an April 11 postponement.

–Field Level Media