The New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles have generated recent momentum going into their series this week.
They both had Monday off before beginning a three-game series Tuesday night in Baltimore.
The Orioles are fresh off sweeping the host Atlanta Braves. Now they’ll try to produce a winning streak of more than three games for the second time this season.
The Orioles have reached the 40-win mark, though they’ll go into the All-Star break with a losing record no matter what happens in their next six games. Still, there are signs of momentum surfacing again.
“You know we don’t take that for granted,” Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino said of winning.
The Mets, who won four straight before Sunday’s 6-4 loss to the New York Yankees, will have to refocus after competing in that rivalry series.
“The guys fought back,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We got down and they kept fighting. Not only (Sunday), but the whole series. I’m proud of the team.”
Infielder Ronny Mauricio has made an impact for the Mets in a bench role. He has totaled three hits across the past two games as a reserve.
“He’s ready to go,” Mendoza said. “… He’s handling whatever we’re throwing at him. It’s not easy coming off the bench and you’re facing pretty good arms, and he continues to be ready.”
Baltimore’s results in Atlanta came with two one-run escapes and an extra-inning triumph. A boost in Sunday’s 2-1 outcome came from second baseman Jackson Holliday going 4-for-4 and driving in both runs.
“Kind of grinding through some stuff and just up there trying to compete,” Holliday said. “Got some lucky knocks and some good ones. So just part of the game. But very happy with how I felt during the game compared to what I’ve been feeling the past few days.”
The Mets have right-hander Clay Holmes (8-4, 2.99 ERA) lined up to start the series opener in Baltimore. He has won only one of his past four starts. He has already thrown a career-high 93 1/3 innings this season in his first year as a full-time starter.
Holmes last worked 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on three hits in Wednesday’s no-decision against the Milwaukee Brewers. He is 1-2 with a 1.11 ERA in 22 career relief outings against the Orioles.
Baltimore has right-hander Brandon Young (0-3, 7.02) scheduled as its starting pitcher. He hasn’t reached five full innings in any of his four appearances this season as he continues to bid for his first victory in the big leagues.
The Orioles made another roster adjustment Sunday by adding catcher Alex Jackson when Gary Sanchez went on the injury list. Jackson joins Jacob Stallings to make up Baltimore’s catching corps — and neither player has been with the organization for two weeks.
“It’s guys that have the capacity to quickly catch up and make themselves assets at that position for a major league team,” Mansolino said.
–Field Level Media
