Danielle Allentuck

1 week ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Danielle Allentuck

TAMPA, Fla. — Every day, regardless of whether he’s playing in the field that night, Coby Mayo and third-base coach Buck Britton dig out a little red machine to work on his defense. They call the machine, which is formally known as a Power Pro Heater, Big Red because of the power it produces even though it is small — it sends balls out up to 45 mph. It’s been around for ages and is used commonly as the first step in an infielder’s warmup routine. But Mayo puts more importance on it.

1 week ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Danielle Allentuck

TAMPA, Fla. — When Colton Cowser was on the injured list for the first two months of the season, the gaping hole he left in the outfield was blatantly clear. As other outfield injuries piled up, and infielders Jorge Mateo and Ryan O’Hearn had to play in their spots, Cowser’s services were duly missed. But perhaps his offensive skills were just as crucial to this team as his defense. Because now, in his third week back, Cower’s bat is heating up.

1 week ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Danielle Allentuck

TAMPA, Fla. — It was an inning that reaffirmed the potential of the Orioles. The offense exploded, scoring eight runs on home runs from Colton Cowser, who is finally healthy and heating up, Cedric Mullins, the always dependable center fielder, and Ramon Laureano, the under-the-radar offseason signing who is proving to be anything but unnoteworthy. Eight runs, even though the game was still young, should have been plenty to hold them over. Right? The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

1 week ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Danielle Allentuck

TAMPA — When the Orioles optioned Trevor Rogers back to Triple-A Norfolk last month, he was prepared. Sure, there was disappointment, that’s natural after putting together a scoreless 6 1/3-inning performance as the 27th man in a doubleheader against the Red Sox. But he knew going into it that he was there for a spot start, and that staying in the majors would require a shuffling of the roster. A year ago, a demotion like that would have been devastating for him.

1 week ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Danielle Allentuck

TAMPA — Matt Thaiss had no choice but to put his head down and retreat back to the dugout after swinging wide on Dean Kremer’s splitter. It was the fourth inning, and with the game tied 1-1 with two outs and Tampa Bay runners on first and third, it was a crucial at-bat with control of the game at stake. Thaiss and Kremer battled, with Thaiss fouling off six in a row to extend the at-bat before Kremer finally got him with that splitter.