CLEVELAND-What happened? If the Orioles trade a starting pitcher or two, there may be more opportunities for Brandon Young to audition for a spot in the 2026 rotation.
Six of Young’s starts have lasted fewer than five innings, and on Tuesday night, he allowed three runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings in the Orioles’ 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians before 22,714 at Progressive Field.
It was the Orioles’ sixth loss in seven games.
Young (0-5) may be heading back to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Wednesday’s starter, Zach Eflin, who’s returning from the injured list.
In only one start, on July 8th against the New York Mets, did Young pitch well. He threw an immaculate fourth inning, striking out three batters with nine pitches, and gave up two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
“Still trying to find my feet under me,” Young said. “Just very frustrated, you know. Not what I’ve wanted it to be, but it’s all perspective. I’m glad I’m up here, I’ve really enjoyed throwing in the big leagues for this team.”
José Ramírez hit his second first-inning home run in as many days, and Young allowed a run in the third on two singles and a walk. He was lifted with runners on second and third in the fifth before Andrew Kittredge intentionally walked Ramírez to load the bases. Kyle Manzardo, who drove in the second run in the third, drove in the third run with a sacrifice fly.
Young, who struck out three and walked three, has a 7.34 ERA.
“There’s a lot of ups and downs to it,” Young said. “I’m trying to look at the positives for sure, but I keep learning, keep working, and not giving up.”
The Orioles (44-56) didn’t have a hit against Joey Cantillo (2-0) in the first four innings, though they walked three times.
They loaded the bases with none out in the fifth, and Ramón Urías scored when Jacob Stallings hit into a double play. Ramón Laureano, who homered on Monday night, hit his 13th in the sixth against Erik Sabrowski.
Cleveland (50-50), which has won six of seven, scored two runs in a shaky inning for Gregory Soto, who like several of his teammates, may be on the move before the July 31st trade deadline.
Soto walked three, allowed two hits and threw a wild pitch as the Guardians took a 5-2 lead.
Coby Mayo, who drew a career-high three walks, scored in the seventh inning on Jackson Holliday’s RBI single, but the Orioles left two runners on.
“It’s a solid night,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said about Mayo. “Proud of him. Three [walks] and then makes contact there in the ninth off a good closer.
“Just proud of him. It was a good night, made the plays at first base. That was super positive. Definitely a small step in the right direction, no doubt, for Coby, but I feel like he’s been taking a lot of small steps in the right direction. Optimistic about him. At some point his time will come, and he’ll get an opportunity.”
Brayan Rocchio’s squeeze bunt scored Nolan Jones in the seventh.
Emmanuel Clase pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.
Cedric Mullins struck out four times.
Why was Carlson called up? Shortly before gametime, the Orioles recalled outfielder Dylan Carlson from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned infielder Luis Vázquez to the Tides.
Mansolino said it was because outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who has already been on the injured list twice this season, has “general soreness.”
He said he didn’t expect O’Neill to go on the injured list again and expected him to play on Thursday against left-hander Logan Allen.
“We needed to make sure we had another outfielder available tonight in case another guy goes down,” Mansolino said. “We’ve got to have major league outfielders out there, so that was the reason.”
O’Neill has played just 33 games this season.
What’s the latest on the trade deadline? With the trade deadline now eight days away, Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that multiple teams are interested in 41-year-old starter Charlie Morton.
It’s possible that Mayo could benefit from moves at the deadline and get more playing time.
“I think everybody kind of knows the situation we’re in right now,” Mayo said. “I think there’s probably going to be some guys moved. But if you think about that too much, it’s going to take away your focus from tonight.
“You know, everyone worries about the trade deadline every year. I feel like it’s been a thing the last three years, and I feel like we’re on the flip side this year. So, I don’t know. I think guys are focused on handling business day by day and we’ll see what happens.”
What does it mean? Young will probably get more opportunities to pitch for the Orioles in the season’s last two months.
What’s the stat of the day? Oriole pitchers walked eight Guardians for the second straight game.
What’s the word? “Looking forward to that day. Looking forward to the Kyle Bradish return. I’m looking forward to the Ryan Mountcastle return, the Adley Rutschman return, the Keegan Akin return. There’s a lot of dates I have circled on my calendar, and the most important one is tonight.”-Mansolino on whether he’s looking forward to games after the trade deadline.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Second baseman Carter Young hit a two-run home run, and three Double-A Chesapeake pitchers limited Altoona to two hits in the Baysox’s 2-1 win.
Trace Bright pitched the final five innings, allowing one hit and striking out eight.
Cohen Achen allowed five runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings as High-A Aberdeen lost to Winston-Salem, 5-1.
Outfielder Jud Fabian has begun a rehab assignment with Aberdeen.
Sayer Diederich allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings as Lynchburg beat Single-A Delmarva, 8-5.
What’s next? Zach Eflin (6-5, 5.95) will face Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.84) on Wednesday night at 6:40.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.