Baltimore Orioles: Donnybrook win personifies the new AL East

Kyle Bradish walked out of Yankee Stadiun a happy man tonight, and the fact is that he was one of many on the Baltimore Orioles tonight. The O’s may have split this series in New York, but needless to say tonight’s game made a statement. Bradish’s line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

In the American League East most games usually are battles. This one wasn’t. The O’s were dominant from the very beginning. Gunnar Henderson led off the ballgame with a solo homer in the first inning. The second inning might have been New York’s best one – they didn’t surrender any runs, and they probably felt they still had a chance to win. A thought that was widely exaggerated, and flat out incorrect.

The Orioles got back-to-back RBI-doubled in the third from Ryan O’Hearn and Cedric Mullins. Jordan Westburg would add one was well later in the inning, and Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman RBI-singles. That would bring O’Hearn to the plate again, and he smacked an RBI-single of his own. The O’s had officially batted around, and when the smoke cleared they led 8-0 after three.

But they weren’t finished yet. Far from it. Ramon Urias’ RBI-single extended the lead to 9-0 on the fourth. Later in the inning Gunnar Henderson added a three-run homer, running things to 12-0. And if that wasn’t enough, O’Hearn added a sac fly-RBI.

Cedric Mullins grounded into a fielder’s choice in the eighth. New York would get a nominal run in the ninth on a run-scoring single by McKinney. But that was the lone highlight for New York. And with that, the Birds went off to Minnesota with a 14-1 victory, splitting the four-game set in the Bronx.

At the end of the day, it equals one win. However it was also largely indicative of what’s happening in the AL East. We know it’s the best division in baseball, and perhaps in sports. But often it’s been New York (or Boston) who’s almost been predestined to be in control. The Orioles might have almost penciled in dropping two-of-three in the series. Not the case anymore.

If the strong first half and the four players on the all-star roster wasn’t already enough, this should put the rest of the league on notice that the Orioles aren’t a slouch. This team isn’t going anywhere anytime soon – except to the post-season. And the push to get there has to start now.

The Orioles now head to Minneapolis to open up three with Minnesota to closet the first half. Cole Irvin gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Bailey Ober. Game time is set for just after 8 PM at Target Field.