Gabriel Ynoa did the honors of reminding Baltimore Orioles’ fans what the Birds’ issue has been all season: the home run ball. As this afternoon’s starter, Ynoa gave up four home runs to New York. Therein lies the result of the game. Ynoa’s line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 3 K.
Here you see some of the effects of doubleheaders for teams. Ynoa probably didn’t pitch well enough to justify pitching six innings. However manager Brandon Hyde seemed to feel that he needed to protect his bullpen – presumably due to the second game.
The O’s took a 1-0 lead early on Renato Nunez‘s sac fly-RBI in the first inning. However Ynoa allowed two base runners in the last of the first before even recording an out. That brought Gregorius to the plate, and he smacked New York into the lead at 3-1 with a three-run home run. One inning later they would tack on a fourth run on Urshela’s RBI-double.
Trey Mancini would keep the Orioles close with a solo home run in the third inning, cutting the New York lead to 4-2. The teams would swap solo home runs in the fifth and sixth with Urshela hitting one out for New York, and Anthony Santander doing so for the Birds. So while the home run ball back back to haunt the Orioles again this afternoon, they weren’t the only team hitting them out this afternoon.
However Maybin would smack a solo homer in the last of the sixth, and Gregorius added a sac fly-RBI in the seventh. The O’s would cut the lead to 8-5 in the eighth however on Renato Nunez’s RBI-groundout and Jace Peterson walking with the bases loaded. The mini-rally forced NY to bring in former Oriole Britton, which could play well for the Orioles in game two.
In essence, if Britton’s already been used today, that might make them attempt to stay away from him in the night cap. A championship-caliber team such as New York may not quite look at it like that, however needless to say if Britton pitches tonight he won’t be fresh. Different game(s), but same day.
The O’s should be heartened by the fact that they put some runs on the board in this game. Granted they also left guys on base, but they were able to have guys cross the plate. However this further illustrates the issues that the home runs are causing. You can look at it from the perspective that the three-run homer in the last of the first by Gregorius in effect was the game. Solo home runs generally don’t beat you; three-run homers often do.
The series and the doubleheader continues this evening at Yankee Stadium. Ty Blach (who was claimed off waivers last week from San Francisco) gets the start for the O’s, and New York is yet to announce a starter. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 