The Baltimore Orioles can’t win them all. Neither can any other team. But I digress. Today’s game almost felt anti-climactic before starter Kyle Gibson even took to the mound. Gibson’s line: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 5 K.
Gibson’s outing wasn’t awful. He did struggle with some command, but he battled. However as I said, it was almost anti-climactic. And I may say that partially because the Orioles had already won the series. 
Pittsburgh put runners on base right away, and Santana yielded them a run with a fielder’s choice-RBI in the first inning. For what it’s worth, that play originally wasn’t an RBI. At first it was a double-play (Pittsburgh had runners at the corners). However they challenged, saying that Santana was safe at first base. The challenge was upheld, and Santana had an RBI.
Pittsburgh extended their lead in the third on an RBI-single by Hayes. Bae later tacked on a two-RBI single. Pittsburgh led 4-0, which was going to be all they needed.
The Orioles ran into a buzzsaw in terms of pitching today. Pittsburgh’s Keller was masterful all day. We talk a lot about hitting with RISP in games; the O’s we’re 0-for-6 today. This meaning that they only got runners into scoring position six times. That’s how good Keller was.
I always say that if you take two-of-three in a series, you should never make the finale the one game you lose. Obviously you still took two-of-three. However it almost feels like you lost the series, given that it’s sort of a moment of finality – given that the series is over. However make no mistake, one of the hottest teams in the league won this series.
The O’s open up a series at home tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim). Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by LA’s Shohei Ohtani. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 