Keegan Akin got the start for the Baltimore Orioles last night in game one of a three-game set at Fenway Park. And the results were probably what you would have expected. Boston has a high-powered offense and they’re in the thick of the playoff race. The Orioles are playing out a string on the season. Akin’s line: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 0 K.
Let me rephrase that; in many cases the Orioles are playing hard as they play out a string. They did play hard last night. They just wound up on the short end. Boston’s a good team – some things can’t be helped.
The Orioles did have a lead in the game for a short period of tine. Austin Hays smacked a solo homer in the second inning, and the Birds led 1-0. However Boston would tie the game and then take the lead in the bottom of that second inning. Iglesias’ RBI-double and Hernandez’s sac fly-RBI would give them a 2-1 lead.
Two innings later Dalbec would add a solo homer, and Martinez an RBI-double. And Renfroe would come to the plate with the bases loaded in the last of the sixth. And he’d clear the bases with a double, running the final score to 7-1.
This was the Orioles’ 100th loss of the year. Keegan Akin addressed this point after the game, explaining the team’s attitude regarding this:
I don’t think it’s really on the top of our minds right now. We get here every day and take care of business and go out and play. No one’s really talking about it. I didn’t find out until after I came out of the game that it could have been the 100th loss when I was in the clubhouse. Everybody comes here and it’s not really the priority. Just try to finish strong.
Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports
That’s probably the best attitude that they could take. “Just finish strong,” is the goal. They may be playing out a string, but they’re still trying to win games.
The series continues this afternoon at Fenway Park. Zac Lowther gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Nick Pivetta. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 