Well folks it finally happened again – the Baltimore Orioles won a game! They snapped a 19-game losing streak, avoiding team history and league history. For futility. Chris Ellis, who was recently claimed off of waivers from Tampa, got the start, but didn’t really figure into the final decision. Ellis’ line: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander smacked solo homers in the first to give the Birds the lead early. However Ellis hit a batter in the second, and Marsh’s two-RBI single tied the game. Walsh’s solo homer in the fourth gave Los Angeles the lead at 3-2. Marsh would subsequently smack a three-run homer, and LA led 6-2. The O’s and the fans had to be thinking well, maybe tomorrow.
However as I’ve said before, losing streaks don’t go quietly into the night. They tend to go away kicking and screaming. But needless to say, the Orioles seemed to finally get the message about getting guys on base, and how it correlates to winning.
With a runner on in the fourth, DJ Stewart cut the lead to 6-4 with a two-run homer. Mullins would tack on a run in the seventh with an RBI-groundout. The Birds were within one at 6-5. Then the eighth inning happened.
Again, guys getting on base is often the key to winning. And the fact is that when you put ducks on the pond, anything is liable to happen. The O’s loaded the bases in the eighth, and Ramon Urias drew a walk, tying the game at six. Kelvin Gutierrez would also walk, giving the O’s the lead back.
However the truly fatal blow would come from Austin Hays, who smacked a two-RBI double. Cedric Mullins would add a sac fly-RBI for good measure, and the O’s went home with a 10-6 victory. Again, snapping a 19-game losing streak.
You could almost see this coming on Tuesday when Los Angeles had a massive lead and the O’s still battled back. This lifts a huge weight off the team’s shoulders, as now they can come to the ballpark everyday and focus on just playing baseball. This as opposed to that streak. Let the good times roll!
The series with Los Angeles concludes this afternoon at Camden Yards. Keegan Akin gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by LA’s Jaime Barria. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 