Tyler Wells got the start this evening for the Baltimore Orioles this evening in the series finale against Washington at Nationals Park. Wells was once again in a pitch count, similar to his last outing against Boston; as we know, he just came off the IL last week. He threw 50 pitches total, 33 for strikes. Wells’ line: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K.
The O’s had a golden opportunity in the second inning to do some damage, but they came away with only one run. They had the bases loaded with nobody out. However Ryan McKenna grounded into a force out at home plate for the first out. Gunnar Henderson would plate a run with an RBI-groundout, but that’s all the Birds could muster. I’ve said many times that the one benefit for the team in the field with the bases loaded is that you have a force at every base. And Washington took full advantage.
Wells gave up two solo homers, one to Adams in the third, and one to Voit in the fourth. This before leaving the game due to the aforementioned pitch count. It appeared however that he might be on the hook for the loss. Then the seventh inning happened.
With Washington’s starter Corbin (who pitched an outstanding game) out in the top of the seventh, the Birds put the first two runners on base, still trailing 2-1. However Gunnar Henderson sent a tight grounder down the left field line and into the corner. It was a given that the O’s were going to take the lead given the placement of the ball. Both runners on base scored…
…however Washington’s left fielder (Hernandez) misplayed the ball. That allowed Henderson to round third and cruise into home plate. The play was ruled a two-RBI triple and an E7. However it was the same effect as an inside-the-park home run, and the Orioles led 4-2.
Jorge Mateo came up next, and smacked a no-doubter out of the park and deep into the Federal evening sky. Gunnar Henderson would add an RBI-double in the eighth. And the Birds took this game 6-2, swept the series in DC, and won the season series with Washington.
While the O’s did squander an opportunity early with the bases loaded, they made up for it late. And as well all know, they do their best work in the later innings. Tonight was no exception. They did what they had to do, and in the process netted themselves a big win in terms of the playoff picture.
Birdland Crush 