When the Baltimore Orioles try to capture the finale against the visiting San Francisco Giants in the rubber game of the three-game series Sunday afternoon, they might be doing with a bit of a makeshift lineup.
But at least they’ll have some momentum following Saturday night’s 6-2 victory.
The Orioles lost first baseman/designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle to a foot injury during that game. Before the game, catcher Adley Rutschman went on the injured list with left ankle inflammation.
“As he was going through (Saturday), it kind of just swelled up on him pretty good. So that’s kind of where we’re at now,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said of Rutschman. “This might sound repetitive, but it sucks. It sucks for any player to get injured, and I’m obviously glad Adley said something to make sure we kind of nip this in the bud.”
Albernaz said injuries are part of what comes with the season, even though they’ve been piling up on the Orioles. Baltimore should have Samuel Basallo available behind the plate, while they also called up Maverick Handley from Double-A Chesapeake.
“The grind of the season,” Albernaz said. “There’s always injuries. Yeah, it’s a lot going on, but I wouldn’t say it’s difficult. To me, it’s making sure guys are prepared to step up when their name is called.”
If Mountcastle goes on the IL, that could create a move with Sam Huff getting a call up from Triple-A Norfolk.
Whoever the Orioles have in Sunday’s lineup, they’ll be facing Giants right-hander Adrian Houser (0-1, 3.97 ERA). He’s 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in two all-time starts vs. the Orioles, with one of those outings last June as a member of the Chicago White Sox when he allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings in a loss in Baltimore.
The Orioles have left-hander Cade Povich (0-0, 3.18) lined up to be their starter. He’ll make his second appearance of the season after a solid 5 2/3-inning effort last Sunday at Pittsburgh.
Povich will meet the Giants for the first time in his career that has included parts of three seasons.
The Giants had a three-game winning streak end with Saturday’s result.
Even though the Giants held a 10-9 edge in hits, they never led after the top of the second inning. They batted 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
“It wasn’t just the one play that’s kind of unique and that only pops up every now and then,” manager Tony Vitello said. “It was just kind of a quirky night.”
Yet starting pitcher Logan Webb took responsibility for putting the team in a bind.
“I’m not putting the team in a good spot to win,” Webb told the San Francisco Chronicle. “We score a run in the second, I gave it right back. We tied it again, and then I gave up two more. So it was just a bad job by me.”
San Francisco second baseman Luis Arraez exited in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game with a right wrist contusion.
–Field Level Media
