Ty Blach got the start this afternoon for the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. And in doing so, he put the Orioles in a position to win, which as I’ve said many times is all you can ask of a starting pitcher. Especially in the first game of a doubleheader. Blach’s line: 5.0 IP, 2 H. 2 R, 4 BB, 2 K.
As I said, this was game one of two today. The teams were scheduled for a night game this evening, and a day game tomorrow. But uncertainty over the path of Hurricane Dorian caused Tampa and MLB to alter the schedule. So we end up with a straight doubleheader today.
Tampa took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on d’Arnaud’s two-run homer. Blach had been mowing hitters down, but hung a pitch that was ultimately jumped upon. However he would regain his form, and pitch through five.
Rio Ruiz smacked a solo homer in the fifth to bring the O’s to within 2-1. One inning later Anthony Santander‘s two-run homer gave them the lead at 3-2. And as good as Blach was in this game, the Orioles’ pen played a huge role as well. Sean Armstrong pitched two quality scoreless innings to hold the Birds over into the later innings.
Tampa-area native Mychal Givens did the same in the eighth, pitching out of a small jam. Small things like that can make a huge difference in games. The O’s also got an insurance run from Mark Trumbo in the last of the eighth to pad the lead, which turned into a 3-2 win.
The series concludes in just a few moments at Tropicana Field. Neither team has announced a starter at this time. Game time is set for about 25 minutes from now.
