Offense has been tough to come by for the Baltimore Orioles thus far in 2022. However if this past week’s series with Minnesota is any indication, that might be changing. In last night’s series finale the Birds sent Spencer Watkins to the mound, and while he didn’t stick around long enough to get the win, he put the team in a spot to be successful. Watkins’ line: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K.
The Orioles hit five solo homers in the game last night. When you’ve been struggling to put runs on the board, that makes a difference. Ryan Mountcastle gave the O’s a 1-0 lead in the last of the second with the first of those five solo shots. One inning later it appeared that Minnesota had taken a 2-1 lead when Buxton grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored two runs. However the O’s challenged the second run, and the call was overturned. And we played on in a 1-1 tie.
But in the bottom of that same third inning the O’s took the lead back as Cedric Mullins smacked a solo homer. Minnesota briefly held the lead on Buxton’s two-run shot in the fifth, but it was short-lived. Jorge Mateo’s solo homer in the bottom of the inning tied the game back up at three.
Austin Hays and Ryan Mountcastle would add solo homers in the last of the eighth, and the O’s took the game 5-3. This also means that they split a four-game series with a very good Minnesota team. Mind you, Minnesota’s in first place in their division. They’re no slouch.
But more importantly, Oriole bats are coming alive. It was only a matter of time. If they can keep that momentum going, they’ll be in really good shape. This of course assuming that the pitching remains fairly solid – both starting and relief pitching.
Weather permitting, the O’s welcome the Kansas City Royals into Camden Yards this evening for the first game of three this weekend. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Kansas City’s Carlos Hernandez. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 