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The Orioles failed to pick up their first win against the Nationals this season yesterday, after jumping out to a 5-1 lead. Judging by the pitching matchups for the remainder of the series, Baltimore could struggle to score seven runs again. Andrew Cashner will square off against Gio Gonzalez tonight.
Gonzalez is currently 6-3 with a 3.01 ERA this year. His ERA in 14 starts this year is even lower than his career average of 3.61. However, the lefty has struggled a bit in his last two outings. Gonzalez followed up his shortest outing of the year in San Francisco (3.1 innings, four earned runs), with a five earned run performance in a loss June 15 at Toronto.
While Gonzalez has struggled by his standards in his last two outings, those outings would be considered par-for-the-course for Orioles starter Andrew Cashner. The Orioles reinstated Cashner from the 10-day DL after he suffered from lower back soreness. The righty is 2-8, with a 4.98 ERA on the year.
The Orioles sent Corban Joseph back to Double-A to make room for Cashner. After sharing a roster spot on the big league club with his brother for a day, Caleb Joseph will start at catcher tonight while his brother rides the shuttle. Danny Valencia will hit clean up and play first base. Trey Mancini will lead off, and Craig Gentry will get the start in right field. The Orioles offense performed well enough to earn a win last night, maybe they will be rewarded this evening.