The Baltimore Orioles sent Tyler Wells to the mound last night on the south side of Chicago. He put the Birds in a spot to win the game, although he got next-to-no run support. In truth, he was two outs away from a quality start. Wells’ line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K.
Wells gave up a solo homer to Burger in the second inning. He then proceeded to shut Chicago down until the last of the sixth, where he gave up two RBI-singles. The Orioles trailed 3-0 when he left the game.
However remember last year when the Birds were so good in the later innings? That repeated itself last night. The Orioles loaded the bases in the seventh, and Cedric Mullins drew a walk. That got the O’s on the board, cutting the Chicago lead to 3-1. However later in the inning the game got flipped squarely on it’s side.
When the O’s drafted Adley Rutschman they knew he was special. He was obviously the first overall pick – the second in franchise history. And since he’s come to the majors he hasn’t disappointed. That’s never been more evident than in the last two games.
Remember, Adley Rutschman sent the Orioles onto this road trip with a walk off homer to win the final game of the previous home stand – against Oakland. And he came in similarly clutch last night. With Mullins having walked in a run and the bases still loaded in the top of the seventh, the Orioles trailed 3-1…
…and Rutschman proved once again that he has that clutch gene. He nailed a bases-clearing double to left center, giving the Birds a 4-3 lead. Just another day at the office, right?!
Jorge Mateo and Ryan O’Hearn would add two-RBI doubles in the eighth to close out the scoring. And the Orioles went home (or back to the team hotel at least) with a 6-3 victory in the first of three in Chicago. But what Rutschman means to this franchise can’t be downplayed. He’s a franchise player, and one who has the capability to strike fear into the hearts of opponents for years. And he’s proved it over the past two games.
The series continues this afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Michael Kopech. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.
Birdland Crush 