Fans have been waiting for the Baltimore Orioles to break out offensively for most of the year. They finally got their wish tonight, as the Birds put up nine runs for starter Kyle Brandish (and the bullpen). Brandish’s line: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 3 K.
Interestingly enough, Brandish was pitching against former Oriole Dylan Bundy. Brandish was the centerpiece of the trade that went Bundy packing from Baltimore. Interesting juxtaposition.
The game was scoreless through 2.5 innings, until Cedric Mullins smacked a two-run homer in the last of the third. Austin Hays and Rougned Odor would follow later in the afternoon inning with RBI-singles. And the Orioles were off to the races.
Four runs would have been a very healthy inning for any team. But the O’s were gunning for more against Minnesota and against their former starting pitcher. Ramon Urias would smack a two-run homer of his own later on in the inning, running the score to 6-0.
And it’s a good thing they tacked on some extra rubs. Because Correa’s two-run homer in the fourth cut the lead to 6-2. Minnesota had a very tough team, and they aren’t about to go down looking in a sense. Before the end of the inning, they had run the score to 6-4 – well within striking distance.
But Oriole bars were having none of that. The Birds would put three more runs on the board in that fourth inning. A run scoring-single by Anthony Santander, a sac fly from Hays, and an RBI-double by Ryan Mountcastle would round things out, both in the fourth inning as well as in the game.
So if this game was any indication, it appears that the Orioles won the Dylan Bundy trade. Again, that’s based on TONIGHT’S RESULT. But in truth I think it temains to be seen. I don’t think you can make a decision on that point based on one game. Needless to say however, the O’s wanted Brandish in return for a reason.
The series with Minnesota concludes tomorrow evening at Camden Yards. Spencer Watkins gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Chris Archer. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 