Terry Mulholland seemed unlikely to dominate, but he did until the Orioles scored two runs in the fifth with a one-out single by Melvin Mora. They added to their lead in the sixth with a two-run home run off Mulholland by Leon, who also had a double off the left field wall in the second.
Though Baltimore has won seven of eight games, the playoffs are clearly out of reach, and for that reason players such as Leon will get an extended look in September. Mazzilli said Leon, a 27-year-old infielder with no minor league options remaining, will get more starts in the final month.
Everything is looking up for Daniel Cabrera after a second consecutive strong outing. "The same guy of a few months ago . . . he is back," Cabrera (11-7) said. "I'm cocky again."
(Gail Burton -- AP)
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"I think he could be a right-handed batter against left-handers that could help," Mazzilli said. "We've been looking for that."
Leon knows this is a time to prove himself.
"I have to take advantage of all the opportunities they give me," Leon said in Spanish. "It's difficult, but you have to make the best of it."
Orioles Notes: Left-hander Matt Riley was recalled from Class AAA Ottawa and will start Tuesday against the Twins. Riley was 1-3 with an 8.39 ERA in his prior stint with the club.
Riley's last stay with the club ended badly after the 25-year-old angered management by failing to arrive in Philadelphia a night prior to his July 2 start against the Phillies, even though the club had sent the pitcher home early while on a road trip in Kansas City. In that start against the Phillies, Riley allowed five runs in one inning and was sent down to Ottawa immediately after the game.
"I owed an apology to teammates and to my manager for the stunt I pulled," Riley said. "I think that's all washed clear now."
The Orioles also recalled outfielder Darnell McDonald and pitchers Rick Bauer and Aaron Rakers. Jerry Hairston was placed on the 60-day disabled list. . . .
Brian Roberts hit two doubles, pushing his season total to 45, only two behind Cal Ripken's 1983 single-season mark.
