The Baltimore Orioles finished with a .500 road trip this afternoon in Toronto. That might sound average at best, but Kansas City and Toronto are two VERY CHALLENGING places for the Orioles to win over the course of the last few years. Tyler Wells got the start today, and pitched to a quality start at that. Wells’ line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K.
The O’s never trailed in this one. Adley Rutschman set the tone for the game with a fielder’s choice-RBI in the first. But it was the third inning that made the game. Ryan Mountcastle’s two-RBI single extended the lead to 3-0. He would later score on Roughned Odor’s sac fly-RBI. However later in the inning Tyler Nevin and Ryan McKenna would smack RBI-doubles, and Jorge Mateo an RBI-single.
When the smoke cleared after the third inning, the O’s led 7-0. The competitive portion of the ballgame appeared to be over. The interesting thing was that the Orioles got a lot of guys both on and in today on doubles. Getting people on base in general is a good thing, but a double will automatically get someone in scoring position. And as was evidenced today, it should score someone, even from first base. Needless to say, doubles ruled the day regarding Oriole bats.
Toronto would get a run back in the fourth on a solo homer from Hernandez. Before the game ended they’d score once more, and the O’s would tack on three additional runs. Including a solo homer by Austin Hays. It’s also worth noting that Cedric Mullins was on base three times today.
Insurance runs weren’t really necessary today, but in general it’s good to see the Orioles adding to their lead late. The vast majority of the games are going to be close the rest of the way. If you can add runs on, it takes pressure off your bullpen. Which is never a bad thing.
The Orioles return home tomorrow night to take on Tampa at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Shane Baz. Game time is set for just after 6 PM.
Birdland Crush 