The Baltimore Orioles entered this series with Los Angeles on an 18-game losing streak. After the streak was snapped (following it reaching 19), the Birds turned their attention to winning today, and thus winning the series. Keegan Akin got the cheery assignment of providing a decent start in the wake of last night’s exciting win. And he pitched to a quality start, putting the Birds in a spot to win. Akin’s line: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K.
It didn’t start well; Ohtani smacked a solo homer in the first inning, giving Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. But that was the only highlight for LA. Kelvin Gutierrez‘s RBI-single in the last of the third tied the game at three. Only downside there was that Gutierrez was thrown out trying to extend it to a double. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that you have to have base runners to be competitve.
Two innings later the O’s had the lead for good, thanks to Trey Mancini‘s RBI-single. And they never looked back. In fact, they kept pushing.
The O’s also got an RBI-double from DJ Stewart in that fifth inning. However it was only 3-1, which meant that the Los Angeles Angels were still technically “in the game.” But Pedro Severino kind of ended that sentiment. His grand slam blew the game wide open, giving the Birds a 7-1 lead. What was that about getting guys on base again?!
The O’s got an RBI-single from Ramon Urias in the seventh, this in advance of another big inning in the eighth. I think that Los Angeles had already waved the white flag, but the hit parade continued. Ryan Mountcastle smacked a two-RBI single, Ramon Urias an RBI-double, and Pedro Severino two-RBI single. When the smoke cleared, the previously hapless O’s had a 13-1 victory, and a series win.
It should go noted that fans, opposing teams, and even national writers had piled onto this Orioles team. But those people are now having to look and see that the O’s not only broke their skid, but they won a series. And go figure, they now find themselves on a two-game WINNING STREAK.
The O’s will open up a three-game series with Tampa tomorrow at Camden Yards. Matt Harvey gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Shane McClanahan. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 