OAKLAND -- Orioles outfielder Joey Rickard was back in manager Buck Showalter's lineup Thursday night, one day after getting hit in the head by a pitch from Angels starter Troy Scribner in the Orioles' 5-1 loss.
Rickard worked out prior to the opening of Baltimore's four-game series against the Athletics and was cleared to play after what the 26-year-old called "a weird experience."
Rickard went hitless in four at-bats in a 7-2 win over the A's while hitting in the No. 9 slot.

"Yesterday was more of a shock," said Rickard before the game. "Today I'm fine, good to go."
Rickard was struck on the side of his batting helmet by an 88 mph fastball from Scribner, who buried his face in his hands briefly as Rickard stood near the plate, bent at the knees in obvious pain. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells came out to examine Rickard, who left the field under his own power.
"We were lucky that was a glancing blow, but you still want to be precautious with it," Showalter said. "He was fine today in the early work."
Rickard said other than the ringing he felt in his ears after getting hit, he was mostly fine, despite the scary moment.
"They've been checking on me, last night, this morning. Everything is good," Rickard said. "They wanted me to go out there and break a sweat and see if anything reacted, something they didn't like, but I checked out fine."
Worth noting
• Showalter decided to give slumping slugger Chris Davis the night off. Davis is hitting .212 this season and is just 4-for-27 over his past 10 games.
"He's fine physically, as fine as everybody can be this time of year," Showalter said, adding that Davis may also be rested Friday. "Just giving him a day to kind of restart. We all need it now and then."
• Outfielder Anthony Santander (right forearm strain) is expected to join the team for its upcoming series in Seattle, although Showalter said a move could happen before then.