Tyler Wells had a tough time in his first start for the Baltimore Orioles in the second half. He only lasted two innings, the second of which found him giving up five runs. In fairness, it had been nine days since Wells pitched. That can at times make a difference. And the fact is that some days you just don’t “have it.” Wells’ line: 2.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 2 K.
Heyward smacked a three-run homer in the second inning to start things off for Los Angeles. Freeman and Smith would add RBI-singles later in the inning, putting the O’s in a 5-0 hole early. Aaron Hicks’ RBI-double in the last of the inning got the Orioles on the board, cutting the lead to 5-1.
The Oriole bullpen however did stabilize things a bit after that. Until the seventh inning, that is. Los Angeles put four on the board in the seventh, including one that came on a double-steal and an Adley Rutschman throwing error. However the O’s would also pad their stats a bit in the last of the eighth. Ryan O’Hearn smacked an RBI-single, and Aaron Hicks a two-RBI single.
In the end, the Birds fell 10-3. It begins and ends with starting pitching, and Tyler Wells owned his outing after the game:
I think each and every time I take that ball, regardless of how long it’s been, it’s equally important. Definitely felt like I kind of failed the team a little bit tonight. Didn’t really set a good pace, and definitely that long inning in the second got to me. But we’re just going to drop this one and move on to the next.
Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports
Luckily it’s not something that we have to see or hear very often. But these guys are always accountable, which is good to see. Sometimes you’ll have games like this. As Tyler Wells said, you have to move past it.
The O’s close the series with Los Angeles (and the home stand) this afternoon at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Los Angeles’ Julio Urias. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 