The Baltimore Orioles found themselves in what appeared to be a familiar spot in the series finale against Boston. This in that it appeared to be a pitcher’s duel at first. Jordan Lyles did his part, although he had a couple of shaky innings early on. Lyles’ line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K.
Lyles lived on the edge for awhile, allowing Boston base runners into scoring position left and right. But while he was generally able to escape unscathed, eventually his luck ran out in the fifth when Boston scored on Cordero’s sac fly-RBI. To be clear, Lyles’ outing had it’s deficiencies. But there was more good than bad. He ended up with a quality start.
The Birds eventually got to Boston starter Pivetta in the last of the fifth. While he had struggled through the first few starts of the season, Pivetta kept the O’s at bay for four innings today. But I’m the fifth, things started to come together for the hometown nine.
Tyler Nevin came up with two runners in scoring position, and his two-RBI single promptly gave the Orioles the lead at 2-1. Anthony Santander would add a sac fly-RBI, giving the O’s a 3-1 lead. And one inning later Rougned Odor smacked his first homer as an Oriole, running the lead to 4-1.
Then the skies opened up. It had drizzled lightly for a few innings, but the game was halted for two hours in the last of the sixth. And we waited – until play resumed.
And when play resumed two hours later, the assault by Oriole bats continued. Jorge Mateo’s two-RBI double extended the lead to 6-1. Santander would add a two-RBI single later in the inning, and Mountcastle an RBI-single to close the inning out.
In many instances lengthy rain delays can change the course of games. Not only did the O’s not allow that to happen, but they extended their lead. They broke the game wide open after the rain ceased. That’s a good sign.
That said, Boston would tack on a grand slam by Martinez in garbage time. In the ninth inning. Running the final to 9-5. But a win’s a win, and the O’s took two-of-three this weekend from Boston.
The Minnesota Twins come to town tomorrow night for a four-game set at Camden Yards. Tyler Wells gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Chris Paddack. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 