The Baltimore Orioles sent Spencer Watkins to the mound this evening in the series final with a Texas at Camden Yards. And Watkins turned in perhaps the best outing of his career, sending Texas down to defeat once again. Watkins’ line: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K.
Watkins was whatever adjective of which you can think which is stronger than solid. I think stellar is probably the term best used. Watkins was stellar all night. And the O’s reaped the rewards.
Ryan McKenna, who it was pointed out to me this evening bears a slight resemblance to Baker Mayfield (the new quarterback of the Carolina Panthers after being traded today), attested for all of the Oriole offense tonight. Quite frankly, McKenna had a great series overall.
McKenna smacked an RBI-single in the last of the seventh. However a second run was allowed to score on a throwing error by Texas’ Seager. And that was the entire Orioles’ offense, in a game that quickly became a pitcher’s duel.
Taveras would double a run home in the fifth, getting Texas on the board. But they couldn’t put anything more on the board than that. And neither could the Orioles, but they of course already had the lead. And it delivered them a 2-1 win.
Jorge Lopez also recorded the save this evening, after blowing two of his last three save situations. (And in the one he didn’t blow, he surrendered the lead, which in effect is the same thing.) He gave up a base hit tonight, but he held the line and held firm. Which should help him get past his confidence issues that have sprung up.
With the win, the Birds swept the series with Texas. It was their first three-game series sweep in about a year; their last sweep was last July, against Washington at Camden Yards. I’ve said this previously, but you’d be hard-pressed to argue that this team isn’t turning a corner.
The O’s will now welcome in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the first of four tomorrow. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Chase Silseth. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 