Baltimore Orioles: Big wheels keep on turning

The Baltimore Orioles turned to Wade LeBlanc this afternoon at Fenway Park in the series finale with Boston. And LeBlanc didn’t disappoint. While for the second straight day the O’a fell short of a quality start, it was also the second straight day where starter put them in a great position to win a game. LeBlac’s line: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 4 K.

Whether it was Fenway Park’s dimensions or something else, Oriole bats were hot right off the bat. They took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run homer by Rio Ruiz. For a short period, it appeared that it might be a game – Boston cut that lead to 2-1 in the second on a solo homer by Vasquez.

But that was short lived. The O’s came right back. Jose Iglesias‘ RBI-double in the third have the Birds their two-run cushion back. And it was full steam ahead from there, as they’d get a sac fly-RBI from Austin Hays, and a solo homer from Anthony Santander in the fourth. They also chased the Boston starter before the end of the inning.

Boston would get a solo homer from Pillar in the fifth, and an RBI-single by Bogaerts in the sixth. Other than that, the Orioles shut the door on Boston. Chris Davis even added an insurance run with an RBI-double in the ninth. (Davis would later commit an unforced base running gaffe by getting doubled off second, but luckily it didn’t cost the O’s.)

The star of the day had to be Anthony Santander. He had the aforementioned solo home run. He also saved a homer by Bogaerts in the last of the fourth. The ball looked to be curling around the Pesky Pole, however Santander lept into the empty stands and caught the ball. Shades of the final game last year.

It’s worth reminding folks that 2019 began the same way. The Birds fell on Opening Day in NY, and won the final two games of the series to register a series victory in the beginning of an otherwise forgetful season. However I think there were a lot of people who expected the Birds to get swept this weekend in Boston. Yes, Friday was bad. But they bounced back in the final two games in convincing fashion. That should mean the world to fans.

Even in a sixty-game sprint, it’s too early to look at the standings. But while they have the same record as the NY Yankees, if you really want to be technical the Birds are ahead of them in the standings. Because the Orioles’ wins were division games. But it’s still early. ; don’t read into too much. You’d just rather win two-of-three in the opening series than drop two-of-three or get swept. As the title states, big wheels kept on turning this weekend for the O’s.

The Orioles now head to South Florida for a short series against Miami at Marlins Park. Asher Wojchiekowski gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Miami’s Pablo Lopez. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.