Practically the only bright spot in the Orioles’ lineup so far this season, Mullins put together another solid game as most of the rest of his teammates floundered. He extended his hitting streak to five games and has reached base safely in 10 straight. His 1.049 has been a pleasant surprise and seems to be set for a resurgent season.

The Orioles could have sat Mullins against the lefty tonight — they did sit their other platoon guys — but he’s simply been too good. The homer came off left-handed reliever Joey Cantillo. It was just his second in 111 plate appearances against southpaws since the beginning of last year.

With the bases loaded in the first inning, Mullins put the Orioles on the board with a base hit to plate two runs. He later led off the seventh with a double before scoring on a sacrifice fly. The 30-year-old outfielder is off to an outstanding start at the dish, hitting .308/.426/.615 with three homers, 14 RBI, and two steals across 47 plate appearances.

The red-hot Mullins started the first two times the Orioles faced left-handers, but the Orioles are going with Jorge Mateo in center field today. Jackson Holliday, Ryan O’Hearn and Heston Kjerstad are also sitting, making Gunnar Henderson the only lefty in the Orioles lineup today.