The Orioles say, \"Bring on September.\" They closed a trying August on Tuesday night with a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, ushering in the regular season’s final full month on a high note.\n\nTuesday’s win -- just the O's fourth in 28 August games -- came via a team effort, with Baltimore breaking through with three runs off Hyun Jin Ryu in the sixth and Tyler Wells recording four key outs to hold the lead in the late innings.
It also made a winner out of Keegan Akin for the second consecutive start, the rookie left-hander dueling Ryu with five innings of one-run ball. The O’s were held hitless by Ryu until shortly before Ramón Urías’ two-run double in the sixth.\n\n“I’d like for us to start playing more competitive baseball,” manager Brandon Hyde said prior to the game. “I think it's a chance to see some other guys as well. September in our situation is a chance to take a look at some other guys and give them an opportunity and make decisions at the end of the year. I would like to see our guys finish the year strong and win as many games as we can.”
Between Urías’ big hit, Wells’ strong outing, Jahmai Jones’ RBI single and Ryan Mountcastle’s double off Ryu in the sixth (which ended the no-hit bid), Tuesday’s victory was brought home largely by rookies. They won’t be the only young players the Orioles put eyes on come September, with rosters expanding to 28 on Wednesday.\n\n“This is an evaluation period,” Hyde said. “We’re still looking at a ton of players.”
Let’s look ahead at who some of those might be:\n\n**RHP Mike Baumann** \nThe Orioles are preparing to insert a pitcher from Triple-A Norfolk into their rotation after Thursday’s off-day, Hyde confirmed Tuesday, filling Spenser Watkins’ vacated spot. Whether that’s Alexander Wells or Baumann remains to be seen, but Baumann would be the splashier choice. The club’s No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, Baumann has a 2.14 ERA in five starts with Norfolk, while No. 14 righty Kyle Bradish, No. 16 lefty Kevin Smith, Dean Kremer and others are struggling at the level. Baumann, 25, is on the 40-man roster and he built up to six innings in a recent outing, and the O's need a starter. If not now, when?
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**LHP Alexander Wells** \nThe Orioles have been carrying Wells on their taxi squad in recent days, and they could easily insert him back into their rotation or bullpen, or they could juggle the left-hander between both. He’s made six appearances (three starts) at the big league level this season and profiles as a swingman option.
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