Kyle Bradish came off the IL last night and made the start for the Baltimore Orioles in the series finale in Washington. And he followed up Dean Kremer’s effort on Tuesday with one of his own. Bradish’s line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K.
The Orioles played two games at Nationals Park this week, and didn’t surrender a run. That’s impressive. These regional games are for the fans – there’s no question. However they’re also regular season games, and they count towards the season standings. Anytime you play consecutive games and surrender zero runs, you’re doing something right.
And Bradish was mowing down Washington hitters in the same manner that Kremer did on Tuesday. There was a swiftness to his methods, and he seemed to leave hitters questioning their own methodology. This game, along with Tuesday’s, should be prototypes for Oriole starters through the rest of the season.
The O’s loaded the bases in the top of the third, and Adley Rutschman drew a walk, giving the Birds a 1-0 lead. One of the only issues in the game overall was that was the only run they scored in that sequence. Bases loaded nobody out; they first recorded a force out at home plate. Then Rutschman walked, after which they grounded into a double-play. You have to get more than one run in that circumstance.
However one inning later they struck. Adam Frazier smacked a two-run homer, giving the O’s a 3-0 lead. Gunnar Henderson’s RBI-single in the ninth closed out the party, and the Orioles took the series finale, 4-0.
One concern for the O’s, shortstop Jorge Mateo pulled up limp after running out a ground ball to first base in the first inning. Manager Brandon Hyde was asked after the game whether the Birds would need to make a roster move before Detroit comes to town on Friday, and he was non-comital:
Not right now. The off-day plays in our favor and we’ll kind of go from there.
Quote courtesy of Steve Melewski, MASNsports
That could be a concern. Early as it is in the season, Mateo’s hitting .370. It wouldn’t shock me if the O’s try to keep him on the roster and maybe sit him for a game or two, just to have him later on. Just something to watch.
Birdland Crush 