The Baltimore Orioles are having no luck putting runs up against Tampa. This obviously puts a lot of pressure on the Birds’ pitching so as to in essence be perfect. And that perfectionitis hit starter Jorge Lopez last night, as he pitched the O’s to a quality start and ended up a hard-luck loser. Lopez’s line: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 K.
The O’s took an early lead when they loaded the bases in the first inning and Chance Sisco was hit by a pitch. That gave the O’s a 1-0 lead. And it held up – for awhile.
Tampa evened the score in the third on Tsutsugo’s solo homer. They then took the lead in the fifth on a two-run homer by Arozarena. And there’s your ballgame. Tampa pitching shut the Orioles down for the remainder of the game.
Tampa must really have a heck of a scouting report on the Orioles, because they’ve totally shut down Oriole bats. And mind you, the O’s had been hot and had been scoring coming into this series. But even when they square a ball up and hit it hard, it’s right at someone. It’s almost uncanny.
Jorge Lopez was optimistic after the game in terms of having a shot at the rotation next year. He was a pick up that was under the radar by Mike Elias, however he’s paid dividends thus far. Lopez him being in the 2021 rotation (quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports):
Yeah, absolutely. Since I got drafted and since I got called up it’s a big opportunity. I want to be a starter on the major league level. The most important thing is to get consistent. That was one of my toughest things. Just get consistent every outing, and that’s what I’m trying to show everybody. I just try to lock it in and execute and have a good plan and have that good energy out there always. It’s been really good.
The loss guarantees that the O’s will finish the season under .500, although they’re still mathematically alive for a playoff spot. I wouldn’t hold my breath. However. SS Jose Iglesias was hit on the wrist by a pitch last night, and appeared to be in immense pain. He was lifted from the game immediately. The Orioles also announced before last night’s game that 1B Chris Davis would remain on the IL for the rest of the season.
The Tampa series, and the home portion of the schedule will close out this afternoon at Camden Yards. John Means gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Ryan Yarbrough. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 