John Means didn’t even last an inning for the Baltimore Orioles against Washington today. In fact, he turned in the shortest outing of his career. If anything, Means was getting too much of the plate. Means’ line: .2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 0 K.
Means surrendered three runs, two on RBI-singles, and one on a sac fly-RBI. But in what’s become commonplace, the O’s showed signs of life. Anthony Santander‘s solo homer cut the lead to 3-1.
Washington would extend their lead to 5-1 in the fifth with two additional runs. But again, that aforementioned Santander homer was a harbinger of things to come. Both the act, and the person who did it.
The O’s were thrust right back into the game in the last of the sixth. Pedro Severino smacked a three-run homer, and suddenly the Birds we’re back to within one at 6-4. One inning later Anthony Santander came to the plate again. And he didn’t disappoint, smacking a solo homer and tying the game at five.
This Oriole team is nothing if not resilient. They battle back and they play to the final out. And they’re starting to do it with power. Anthony Santander is starting to turn into a legit stud at the plate. He’s not only hitting the ball, but it’s traveling a long way after he makes contact.
Unfortunately, Santander’s two homers weren’t enough today. Washington put a runner at third base in ten eighth, and he would score on an E5 throwing error. That would end up being the winning run for Washington.
And that really shows you the two aspects of this game offensively. It’s great to smack the ball out of the yard, especially when runners are on base. However sometimes when you put runners on base things happen. That run came with two outs, so it would have been the end of the inning.
The Orioles dropped this series, but as I wrote last night they’ve won the season series with Washington. Given that they’re the defending champions, that means something. This Oriole team is in good shape, and people are starting to notice.
The O’s begin a three-game set with Toronto tomorrow night at Camden Yards. The Birds are yet to announce a starter, but Toronto will throw Hyun Jin Ryu. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 