Showalter not making excuses for quiet bats

Although Wieters, Davis out of lineup, manager says absences 'part of the gig'

July 20th, 2016

NEW YORK -- Buck Showalter wouldn't take the bait. The Orioles' manager was without (right foot) and (stomach virus) in a 7-1 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday night, but Showalter scoffed at the suggestion their absences played a part in the result.
"We've been without people all year," the manager said. "Just like the Yankees have and just like everybody has. It's part of the gig."
A day after totaling five hits and one run in the series opener, the O's offense managed just four hits Tuesday. and , who spelled Wieters and Davis, respectively, went a combined 0-for-5. The rest of the offense didn't do much, either.
, and didn't record any hits in the middle of the order, and 's sixth-inning RBI double was Baltimore's lone extra-base hit.
, who pitched 4 1/3 innings of three-run ball, said he didn't feel pressure to compensate for the lack of production. Rather, he spun the onus around to himself.

"If we're in the dugout more often, then they're off their feet. Going to be more comfortable out there swinging," Worley said, "If they're constantly on their heels playing defense, it only makes it harder for them to come up and hit."
Even so, the Orioles faced a less daunting iteration of the Yankees' bullpen than Monday night. After being silenced by the trio of , and , Baltimore had equally unimpressive results Tuesday against and , who combined to throw 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief of right-hander .
The Orioles had a promising opportunity in the sixth, though. With Eovaldi's day over, Swarzak entered to a bases-loaded, one-out jam. Trumbo, the Major League leader with 28 homers, was up, and Schoop, who entered the game hitting .301, was on deck. The tide appeared to be turning.
Not quite. Trumbo and Schoop both popped out in foul territory, and the O's wouldn't reach base again.
"When you get those opportunities you got to try to cash them in. You're not going to get many," Showalter said.
The skipper said it's possible that Wieters and Davis could be available for Wednesday. Their help would be a welcomed sight. Tuesday's loss, paired with the second-place Red Sox's 4-0 win over the Giants, trimmed Baltimore's American League East lead to a half game.
Showalter didn't sound too enthusiastic about their returns, though. Wieters is still pretty sore, and Davis was just starting to eat again before the game after a Sunday night trip to the hospital.
So if they aren't ready?
"You don't stomach it and find the excuse," Showalter said. "We don't live in those worlds."