Kyle Bradish became the first Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher to pitch against Trey Mancini last night in Houston. The Birds of course traded Mancini to Houston last month, and faced him as an opponent last night for the first time. And both Bradish and his teammates made the most of it. Bradish’s line: 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K.
Before the game Mancini and his former Orioles coaches and teammates exchanged hugs and pleasantries. Mancini didn’t want to be traded away. And the Orioles didn’t really want to trade him. But as we all know, it’s a business. And trading Mancini was the right business move.
Mancini was actually one of the lone Houston Astros that got on base against Bradish. He drew a walk – one of two Bradish issued. Incidentally and as you can see from his stat line above, Bradish threw eight innings of two hit ball. He was really good, obviously. He did more than put the O’s in a spot to win.
Ramon Urias smacked a two-run homer in the sixth inning. To that point it had been a pitcher’s duel. And it remained a pitcher’s duel. Bradish wasn’t about to give up a run. And Dillon Tate closer Houston out in the ninth inning, sealing the win.
And what a win it was! Houston has the best record in the American League. This is certainly a measuring stick series for the O’s, in terms of whether they can compete with the creme de la crème of the American League. So far so good, is all you can really say. The O’s are 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.
The series continues this evening at Minute Maid Park. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Jose Urquidy. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 