Monthly Archives: July 2022

Baltimore Orioles: Hottest team in baseball sweeps LA and the home stand

The Baltimore Orioles were back in the saddle again this afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Birds and starter Austin Voth came into today’s game having won seven straight. A win today would also give the O’s a perfect home stand. Voth’s line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 6 K.

It started off inauspiciously, however. Hamilton’s two-run homer in the third gave LA a 2-0 lead. For a moment it appeared that the winning streak was going to stop at seven. Boy would you have been wrong had you put money on that.

One inning later in the last of the fourth Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI-double cut the LA lead in half at 2-1. But that was only the table-setter. Later in the inning Ramon Urias’ two-RBI single and Roughned Odor’s RBI-single gave the O’s the lead at 4-2. But it didn’t end there – OH NO.

Anthony Santander would extend the lead to 5-2 with an RBI-double in the last of the fifth. If you’re Los Angeles you’d just as soon forget the bottom of the fifth inning today. But the Orioles and the fans at Camden Yards won’t soon forget it.

The Birds would end up loading the bases, Ryan Mountcastle scored on a passed ball. Santander would almost immediately follow, scoring on a wild pitch. And Ramon Urias would follow with a run-scoring single. When the smoke cleared, the O’s led 8-2.

If you’ve read me for awhile, you’ve seen me say that good things happen when you get guys on base. The O’s had the bags juiced, and fluky things plated a couple of runs. And on the aforementioned Urias hit, he was able to reach safely because the pitcher didn’t cover the bag. Again, get people on base and good things can happen.

The Birds would add a ninth run on an RBI-single by Trey Mancini in the sixth. Los Angeles would add three more runs in the later innings, including a two-run homer by Stassi. However Los Angeles reminded me a lot of the Orioles in 2018 – they have some talented players, but appear on the verge of a rip down and rebuild. The O’s of course are in a different point in that process.

The O’s swept LA, and swept the home stand. They’re the hottest team in baseball, having won eight straight. Where the season goes from here remains to be seen. But they’re firing on all cylinders at this moment.

Baltimore Orioles: Baseball’s hottest team churns on

The Baltimore Orioles are baseball’s hottest team. Yes, you read that correctly; I’ll say it again for the people in the back…the Baltimore Orioles are baseball’s hottest team. Try that one on for size! Having won six straight coming in, they sent Dean Kremer to the mound against Anaheim this afternoon in hopes of keeping the party going. Kremer’s line: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K.

Despite being the hottest team in the league, the Birds still sit in last place in the AL East. But that’s a testament to the division as much as anything else. Yet, national pundits continue to overlook the Orioles. And consistently at that. And in fact you watch…as soon as the winning streak ends, you’ll see people saying I told you they were bad.

But savvy fans know that one game a season does not make. It’s the overall body of work that matters. And we’re nowhere near being done; odds are some struggles still await this 2022 Oriole team. But to date, the overall body of work exceeds expectations.

Perhaps the best moment of today’s game came in the last of the third inning, when Tyler Nevin came up to bat for the first time. His Dad, Phil, of course is the interim manager of the Anaheim Angels. He was suspended for the first two games of this series (due to the Anaheim/Seattle brawl a few weeks ago), but returned to the Anaheim dugout this afternoon.

Today was the first time that father and son had been on a big league field together. Father and son exchanged the lineup cards before the game and posed for a photo with the umpiring crew. It was the sort of moment that only baseball can provide. And it didn’t disappoint.

For the record, (Tyler) Nevin reached base on a single in his first at-bat against his old man. Needless to say, (Phil) Nevin had to have mixed feelings on that. One inning later in the last of the fourth, Anthony Santander’s RBI-single have the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

And when your pitching staff doesn’t give up any runs, one run is all you need. The back end of the Oriole bullpen was dominant once again, with Relic Bautista getting a key strikeout to end the eighth, and Jorge Lopez closing the door in the ninth.

The Birds will go for a sweep of the series and the home stand tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. Austin Voth gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Jose Suarez. Game time is set for just after 12 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Trey Mancini plays the hero as the magic returns

Tyler Wells got the start last night against Anaheim for the Baltimore Orioles, with mixed results. For awhile it looked like he was in line to be the losing pitcher. For most of the ballgame, in fact. But anyone who thought that sure had something else coming. Wells’ line: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K.

Wells gave up a three-run homer to Trout in the third inning. And that was it. He departed obviously after four innings, but the bullpen was solid. Luckily, so we’re Oriole bats.

The Birds began their comeback in the seventh with an RBI-single by Ramon Urias. One inning later Ryan Mountcastle smacked an RBI-single, and the comeback was on. But not before Ohtani extended the Anaheim lead back to two runs in the ninth with a solo homer.

That simply made the road slightly tougher for the Birds, who had that look of determination in their eyes. This as the old sentiments of Orioles Magic began to descend once again upon Camden Yards.

With a runner on second in the last of the ninth, Adley Rutschman’s RBI-double cut the lead to 4-3. Rutschman would later score on Cedric Mullins’ RBI-double, and the O’s had officially “come back.” But that only tied the game – the Orioles had in mind to win it.

Mullins would advance to third on a wild pitch, but that wasn’t such a big deal as he was already in scoring position. But the moment everyone was waiting for came in the form of Trey Mancini’s RBI-single to left. That plated Mullins, sent everyone home happy, and reminded the fans of this franchise’s not-so-distant magical past, and perhaps of a similar future.

After the game Mancini tipped his cap at the crowd and his teammates in the clubhouse:

It was so exciting, one of the best wins I’ve been a part of in my time here. I’m guessing it was one of our top crowds of the year. It was a great energy, the fans brought it all night, and we fed off that, especially late. It was just an amazing comeback for us. It was unbelievable to be a part of a great team win for us

Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports

The series continues this afternoon at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Patrick Sandoval. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Jordan Lyles strong as Birds inch towards .500

With a victory tonight, the Baltimore Orioles are within four games of the .500 mark. It’s no coincidence that they’ve come to this point coinciding with when the starting pitching improved, as did the bullpen. If it begins and ends with starting pitching, it began and ended this evening against Anaheim with Jordan Lyles. He was outstanding, and he pitched to a quality start. Lyles’ line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

Lyles is all but anchoring the rotation at this point. In the absence of John Means, that is. And Anaheim may be having an underwhelming season to date, but they do have a formidable lineup that includes at least two generational talents. They were all kept at bay tonight.

Adley Rutschman got the O’s on the board with a solo homer in the last of the second. It was the first Camden Yards home run of his career. An inning later Ryan Mountcastle added an RBI-double, which doubled the Birds’ lead – to 2-0.

But Oriole bats weren’t through just yet. Trey Mancini would add an RBI-single in the fifth. Mountcastle would come up again as well, and tack on a sac fly-RBI. Anaheim would add a sac fly of their own by Suzuki in the seventh, but the Oriole bullpen didn’t allow anything further. Jorge Lopez closed out the game, giving the Orioles their fifth straight win.

The stunning thing is that the O’s remain in last place in the AL East. And sadly, there’s a vocal minority of fans who only look at the standings. And they don’t want to care about a last place team. But the savvy fans know that this team is coming on. It may not be this year, but once things start really clicking, watch out for the Baltimore Orioles.

The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Tyler Wells gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Reid Detmer. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Spencer Watkins strong as Birds sweep Texas away

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.

Baltimore Orioles: Cedric Mullins walks Birds off as winners

The Baltimore Orioles got a bit of a longer outing tonight out of Austin Voth. To be clear, a longer outing than they’re used to getting. Does this mean they’re stretching Voth out? Tough to say. But he pitched into the fifth inning tonight against Texas. Voth’s line: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

This game was sort of wild from the beginning. Jorge Mateo’s RBI-single in the second gave the O’s a 1-0 lead. Cedric Mullins added a two-RBI double, and Trey Mancini an RBI-double of his own. When the smoke cleared the O’s led, 4-0.

But Texas snapped back in the fifth. They put three runs on the board, bringing them to within one at 4-3. Then Garver’s solo home run in the seventh tied the game. Whereas it looked like the O’s might cruise to victory…let’s just say that nothing’s easy in thugs world.

But they would get the lead back in the last of that seventh inning. Anthony Santander’s RBI-single gave the Birds a 5-4 lead. And it even looked like they had put some insurance runs up, as Ramon Urias’ two-RBI single gave them a three-run lead at 7-4.

But Texas came back again, and in one fatal swoop. Lowe’s three-run homer in the top of the eighth tied the game at seven. Then it was the Orioles’ turn – in the last of the eighth. Ryan McKenna picked an outstanding time for his first homer of the season, a solo shot. It gave the O’s an 8-7 lead.

And go figure, the teams swapped homers in the ninth. The game was re-tied at nine when Roughned Odor smacked a solo home run. And to extra innings we went! One might have labeled this as the game that wouldn’t die.

Almost true to form for this game, Texas threatened in the top of the tenth. They loaded the bases, but the Orioles pitched out of it. This put the O’s in a spot to once again take advantage of the ghost runner on second rule in extra innings. And of course the advantage that they also had (from the beginning) is that the home team bats last. And it was Cedric Mullins who played the hero last night, with an RBI-single to win the game for the O’s.

It goes down as one win. But this was a crazy game that went back and forth. Just when one team thought they had dealt a death blow to the other, something else would happen. Needless to say, it was about as entertaining of a game as you’re going to see in a given year.

The series concludes this evening at Camden Yards. Spencer Watkins gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Glenn Otto. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: All’s well that ends well on the Fourth of July

Dean Kremer pitched a lot better than his statistics look this afternoon against Texas at Camden Yards. He fell apart a bit in the fifth, but prior to that he was stellar. You always like a decent outing on a day such at the 4th of July. Kremer’s line: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

The O’s took the lead in the last of the second when Jonathan Arauz smacked an RBI-single to right. An inning later that was extended to a 2-0 lead on Cedric Mullins’ RBI-double. Texas would get on the board in the fifth on a sac fly-RBI by Garcia.

But little did we know that was a harbinger for what was to come. Because Kremer struggled in the fifth inning, and eventually departed before it was over. Lowe’s RBI-single tied the game at two. But Garver smacked a three-run homer, which gave Texas a 5-2 lead, and sent Kremer to the showers.

But the O’s still had a lot of fight in them. One way or the other, this team battles, and it definitely shows. Cedric Mullins’ solo homer in the last of the fifth cut the lead to 5-3. Arauz would later reach on an E3, allowing two runs to score, tying the game at five.

And that’s when things got interesting. Well, they were “interesting” from the beginning, but you get the idea! The O’s threatened a few times, but couldn’t score. They did however bring in beleaguered closer Jorge Lopez to pitch the ninth. And sadly, Lopez continued his string of struggles, surrendering the go-ahead run in the form of a solo homer to Semien.

However keep in mind that the home team bats last. And the Birds still had the last of the ninth, where they made good of their final opportunity in the regular innings. Adley Rutschman’s RBI-double tied the game at six, and sent us to extra innings.

And after retiring Texas, the O’s found themselves in a good position. Austin Hays began the inning at second base, per MLB rules. Roughned Odor tried to sacrifice him over to third, but the pitcher (Moore) bobbled the ball, and everyone was safe. Texas opted to intentionally walk Ramon Urias, loading the bases and bringing Jorge Mateo to the plate.

For the record, that was sound baseball logic, as it gave Texas a force out at every base. what was unfortunate if you’re Texas was that Moore hit Mateo with the first pitch he threw in the at-bat, giving him first base and playing Austin Hays to give the Orioles a 7-6 win. As I said, a force at every base. Meaning that you have nowhere to put the runner.

End of the day, it was a good win for the O’s. A lot of moving parts, but a good win. However the ninth inning has just become very much in question, as Lopez is struggling. Granted today wasn’t a blown save, as the Orioles didn’t have a lead at the time for him to save. But it’s the same effect. It’ll be interesting to see if he gets the ball if the O’s are in a save situation tomorrow and onward.

The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Austin Voth gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Spencer Howard. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Birds snap losing streak, salvaging one in Minnesota

Tyler Wells pitched to a quality start this afternoon at Target Field for the Baltimore Orioles. the Birds have gotten great starting pitching on this road trip, and today was only the most recent installment. Unlike the first two games in Minnesota however, Tate’s efforts paid off this afternoon. Tate’s line: 6.0 IL,1 BB, 7 K.

Not only was Wells the winning pitcher today, but it may well have been one of the best starts of his career. This win snapped a 12-game losing streak at Minnesota’s Target Field. More importantly in the interim, it snapped a four-game losing streak in the present.

We played to a 0-0 tier through four innings. Then in the top of the fifth Roughned Odor smacked a solo homer, giving the Birds a 1-0 lead. One inning later in the sixth, Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle smacked back-to-back solo homers, leaving the Birds with a 3-0 lead.

Minnesota would add a rub on an RBI-single by Polanco in the last of the sixth. They would threaten a few times, but the Oriole pen held strong. End of the day, the O’s snapped their losing streak and managed to salvage one in Minnesota.

The Birds now head home to open up a three-game set at Camden Yards against Texas with a Fourth of July matinee. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Dane Dunning. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Should we be concerned about Jorge Lopez?

Jordan Lyles produced a quality start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon at target Field in Minnesota. This after a one hour and six minute rain delay to begin the game. But once the game started, Lyles was definitely in a zone. Lyles’ line: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K.

The O’s took the lead early on thanks to an RBI-double by Tyler Nevin. He sent a loping liner into the right field power alley, splitting the outfielders – it literally couldn’t have been placed better (aside from into the stands). One inning later Anthony Santander smacked a solo homer, and the O’s led 2-0.

Jorge Mateo’s sac fly-RBI in the fourth gave the Birds a 3-0 lead. However Minnesota had settled in by then, and they didn’t allow the O’s to cross the plate again. They also chipped away at the lead.

It started with a solo homer in the last of the seventh by Gordon, which chased Lyles from the game. One inning later Correa added a sac fly-RBI, cutting the Orioles’ lead to 3-2. Which is where the score stood going to the last of the ninth, and Jorge Lopez came in.

Lopez of course had blown the save last night, his first of the season. For the record, bringing him in and getting him back in the saddle again is the right move – provided that it’s a save situation, which it was. The easiest way to get the monkey off your back is to get right back on the mound.

Sadly, this doesn’t appear to be Jorge Lopez’s series. He surrendered a leadoff home run to Polanco, promptly tying the score. A few base runners later, Miranda’s RBI-single won it once again in walk off fashion for Minnesota, with the Birds falling, 4-3. Lyles on the loss:

It’s another bad day for me. Jordan’s start was really good. I mean, it’s all on me. I’ve just got to figure it out tomorrow. These things are going to happen. It’s the first time it happened to me, so I knew something was coming and I have to figure it out. I have to control it and keep it going.

Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports

Brandon Hyde and many of Lopez’s teammates (including Jordan Lyles) maintained confidence in Lopez after the game. But the question is are these two games just outliers, or is there a cause for concern about Lyles?

And I can’t answer that, folks. Again, I did support giving him the ball this afternoon in a save situation. Now having said that, in the wake of two straight blown saves, maybe Lopez shouldn’t be available tomorrow. Maybe he needs to clear his head just a bit. Give him a day off, and be ready for Monday and onward.

The series with Minnesota concludes tomorrow afternoon at Target Field. Tyler Wells gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Devin Smeltzer. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall in walkoff fashion, Brandon Hyde tossed

The Baltimore Orioles got another quality start out of a starter last night against Minnesota at Target Field. Spencer Watkins have the Birds everything he had, and then some. Needless to say, he put the Orioles in a position to win the game. Watkins’ line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 E, 1 BB, 5K.

Watkins’ only struggle in the game was right out of the gate – in the first inning. He loaded the bases, and Miranda’s RBI-single with two outs gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead. However Minnesota got greedy on what amounted to a soft ground ball into shallow left field. Correa tried to score a second run, and was viciously gunned out at home plate by Ryan McKenna.

In a close game, that’s a big play. And for a pitcher, only surrendering one run after loading the bases is a win. And Watkins would go onto retire 15 straight hitters as the game wore on. The O’s would tie the game at one in the top of the third on Cedric Mullins’ RBI-double. And we remained tied for some time.

Jorge Mateo reached on a fielder’s choice and an error in the eighth, scoring McKenna. That gave the Orioles the lead late in the game. But it was short-lived, as Jorge Lopez finally ended up blowing a save. Buxton’s two-run homer in the last of the ninth gave Minnesota a 3-2 victory.

At some point every closer blows a save. As solid as Lopez has been this year, you let it go and move onto the next game. In fact, if you’re Brandon Hyde you hope that you have the opportunity to hand Lopez the ball again today, and get hin back in the saddle.

Speaking of Brandon Hyde, he wasn’t around to see most of the game. After the top of the third inning he came out of the dugout and engaged in a spirited argument with home plate umpire Ramon De Jesus and crew chief Alfonso Marquez. De Jesus had turned and engaged with the Oriole dugout several times in the previous half inning, and Hyde’s frustration boiled over. Hyde on the situation:

Well, during the Mullins’ at-bat there was a disrespectful exchange between the home plate umpire and our dugout. I felt it warranted me to go out there and see what was going on, and it got heated from there. And we’ll go through the proper channels with it.

Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MADNsports

Later in the game Rougned Odor also had an issue with De Jesus’ strike zone. The comment about “going through the proper channels” probably indicates that Hyde will write this up to the league. Maybe for inconsistency, or for how he approached the dugout. Interesting to say the least.

The series with Minnesota continues this afternoon at Target Field. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Sonny Gray. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.