For the first time since September of 2019, the Baltimore Orioles welcomed fans into Oriole Park at Camden Yards this afternoon. The O’s started Matt Harvey in today’s home opener against Boston, and with mixed results. Harvey’s line: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 6 K.
Harvey gave up a two-run homer to Devers in the first, which gave Boston a 2-0 lead. However the Birds, you know, the home team who’s celebrating their home opener, battled back almost immediately. Ryan Mountcastle countered with a two-run homer of his own in the last of the sixth. Pedro Severino also added a solo shot in the fourth to give the O’s a 3-2 lead.
However following the Birds taking the lead the game took a strange turn. Rio Ruiz appeared to be checking his swing, and was then hit by a pitch. However the umpire gave the strike instead of the HBP. Manager Brandon Hyde came out and argued, and was VERY promptly ejected.
Personally I thought it was a very quick hook. Especially for the hometown manager in the home opener. Furthermore Hyde and Ruiz appeared to be right, according to replays. In fact, it struck me all game that many borderline calls went Boston’s way. In Baltimore. On Opening Day.
However that would rally Boston. Arroyo grounded out in the sixth which tied the game, and Cordero’s RBI-single later in the inning gave Boston a 4-3 lead. Martinez’s RBI-double and Gonzalez’s RBI-single in the seventh extended that lead to 6-3. Hernandez’s solo homer in the eighth would cap off their 7-3 win.
Hyde was right to stick up for the team. But somehow it rallied Boston more than it did the Orioles. Credit to Boston for feeling the energy, but somehow the O’s didn’t. I’m not sure what that says about either team, but it’s a fact.
The good news is that there are 80 more home games to go. And hope always springs eternal on Opening Day. This was one game out 162. After an off day tomorrow, we’ll come back and do it all again on Saturday.
Birdland Crush 