Monthly Archives: July 2023

Baltimore Orioles wallop Minnesota to close first half, draft Enrique Bradfield

Ironically Kyle Gibson and the Baltimore Orioles had to come from behind to defeat Minnesota today. Julian’s RBI-double in the last of the first gave Minnesota an early 1-0 lead. But Gibson kept out of the big inning, and got back into the dugout. And the rest spoke for itself. Gibson’s line: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 11 K.

Austin Hays immediately tied the game in the second with a two-run homer. But in the fifth the O’s opened things up after taking the lead. And they got the lead on a two-run home run by Ramon Urias. Ryan Mountcastle, who returned to the lineup today, followed with an RBI-single. Austin Hays did the same, and Aaron Hicks came to the plate with two runners on. And he would open the game wide open with a three-run homer, giving the O’s an 8-0 lead.

But it didn’t end there. Adley Rutschman’s two-run homer and Anthony Santander’s solo shot in the sixth extended the lead to 11-1. As fans filed for the exits early, the Birds capped off a dominant performance with a 15-2 final. And it also included a solo shot in seventh by Anthony Santander.

This closed the most successful first half in team history. There’s still a lot of baseball to be played, and those games will include a few clunkers. But you have to endure that over the course of a long season. And for sure it’s a long season.

The Orioles also drafted OF Enrique Bradfield in the first round of this evening’s player draft. Bradfield is out of Vanderbilt, and hit .311 over three seasons. He has a keen eye, and knows the strike zone well. This will all come in handy through the minors, and into the big leagues.

Baltimore Orioles: Six-run second lifts the Birds

Another quality start for Tyler Wells, and another win for the Baltimore Orioles. Wells gave up an early run to Minnesota, but buckled down right away. And then Oriole bats lifted him up. Wells’ line: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

Wells allowed a run on a wild pitch in the last of the first. But then the O’s came to bat in the second. Three consecutive base hits loaded the bases with nobody out. Then Colton Cowser drew a walk, tying the ballgame. That was followed by a Ramon Urias walk, again with the bases loaded. And the Birds held a 2-1 lead.

But it didn’t end there. Adam Frazier smacked a two-RBI single, extending the lead. That was followed by RBI-singles by both Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander. And the Birds led 6-1.

Minnesota would tag Wells with one more run on Solano’s RBI-double in the last of the sixth. Minnesota did threaten in the seventh, but Brian Baker struck out Gallo to end the inning. And with that, the Birds have taken the first two games of the series in Minnesota.

The Orioles also got All-Star starter Austin Hays back for the first time since Sunday this afternoon. Hays of course collided with a Minnesota player on the base paths last Sunday, and he hasn’t played since. He was 1-for-3 this afternoon, and will start Tuesday night’s All-Star Game in Seattle for the American League.

The series and the first half conclude tomorrow at Minnesota’s Target Field. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’a Joe Ryan. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

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.

Baltimore Orioles: Colton Cowser’s debut ends with a win

After a couple of rough games, Dean Kremer gave the Baltimore Orioles a quality start this evening at Yankee Stadium. And he picked a good time to do it, with the team having lost two straight division games, and with outfielder Colton Cowser making his big league debut this evening. Kremer’s line: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 K.

Cowser, the number two prospect in the organization, came up at a time when the O’s need a shot in the arm. He singled in the top of the sixth, recording his first major league hit. A moment that neither he nor his parents will ever forget.

The game stayed scoreless through four innings, and Donaldson smacked a solo homer in the fifth. Later in the inning Higashioka would deliver an RBI-single, and the O’s trailed 2-0. However, they had only just begun to fight.

Cowser’s aforementioned big league hit was actually an RBI-single in the sixth, and it got the Orioles on the board. Later in the inning Jordan Westburg’s two-RBI triple gave them a 3-2 lead. Adam Frazier would reach on a fielder’s choice, which scored a fourth run.

New York would get one back in the eighth on a solo homer by Volpe, which made things interesting for awhile. However Ryan O’Hearn would give them some insurance with a two-run homer in the last of the eighth, which sealed the game. And the Birds took game three of the series, 6-3.

Insurance runs help. That took a lot of pressure off of Felix Bautista in the ninth. Which always helps. And needless to say, that’s part of the goal in any game (making the closet’s job easier, that is).

The series concludes tomorrow evening at Yankee Stadium. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Luis Severino. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall after six unanswered runs

The Baltimore Orioles were treated to a quality start tonight by Tyler Wells. He was solid most of the night, save for the tail end of his outing. However he put the O’s in a spot to win, and that’s all you can ask of a starting pitcher. Wells’ line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

The Orioles strung together three base hits in the top of the second to get on the board first. It ended up being Cedric Mullins’ RBI-single in the second that gave them a 1-0 lead. One inning later Adley Rutschman ‘s RBI-double extended that lead to 2-0.

Later in the inning Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-single extended the Orioles’ lead to 3-0. While they were cruising at that point, the lead never felt secure – despite Wells’ dominance. And true to their history, New York answered.

They smacked back-to-back homers in the last of the fifth. One by Volpe, and the other by Higashioka. However to his credit, Wells pitched out of that inning and continued on for one more inning.

New York put two runners in scoring position in the last of the seventh, and all-star Yennier Cano almost pitched out of it. With two strikes and two outs, he uncorked a wild pitch, tying the game at three. The O’s got out of the inning without sustaining further damage, however as I said – to that point it never felt like the lead was safe.

And it took a three-run homer by Bader in the eighth to beat the O’s on this night at Yankee Stadium. New York scored six unanswered runs to close the game. And to win. It’s tough to beat a team when they put up runs in that manner.

The series continues tomorrow – afternoon baseball on the 4th of July at Yankee Stadium. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Clarke Schmidt. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles end losing streak on a Jordan Westburg HBP

It’s been well over a year since the Baltimore Orioles have been swept, a trend that ALMOST ended this afternoon (and this weekend) against Minnesota. Now it’s worth pointing out that this is a Minnesota team that’s had the Orioles’ number the past few years as well. Cole Irvin put the O’s in a good spot to win, however for the second consecutive day the Birds couldn’t put any runs on the board for a starter. Irvin’s line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 1 K.

Irvin was good today, as I said above. Not technically a quality start given the five innings pitched, but he pitched well enough to win. He just didn’t get the run support.

He did load the bases in the first inning, but pitched out of it. Castro’s RBI-double in the fifth inning gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead. And it almost stood up to beat the O’s. ALMOST.

Minnesota closer Duran was going for a six put save, but it seemed they were prematurely looking to win the game. The O’s put two runners on, and Ryan O’Hearn came on as a pinch hitter, and took the count to 3-0 before Minnesota walked him. What could go wrong with two outs and their closer on?

That brought Jordan Westburg to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. And Westburg was hit in the back on the first pitch, that forced in a run, and the Orioles suddenly led, 2-1. Which ultimately turned into a 2-1 win, ending the losing streak. And keeping the streak of not being swept in tact.

When you’re scuffling you take runs however you can get them. And you take runs however you can get them. That was certainly a painful way to win if you’re Jordan Westburg, but it got the job done. And sent the Orioles on the road with a good feeling.

Left fielder Austin Hays collided with Minnesota first baseman Solano running out a ground ball in the second inning. The game was held up for a brief moment as the Minnesota training staff checked on Solano – who ended up being fine. However Hays appeared to be okay…

…until the fourth inning when he was replaced by Aaron Hicks in left. The Orioles later said it was a hip contusion, and Hays’ status going onward is unknown. For the record, the collision occurred due to a foul throw by the Minnesota infield. It drew Solano off the bag, who collided with Hays.

The O’s now head to New York to open up a four-game set with the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Tyler Wells gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Domingo German (who’s fresh off a perfect game). Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Every ball found a glove

Kyle Bradish have the Baltimore Orioles everything he had this afternoon against Minnesota at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Following a rough game last night, the Birds needed Bradish to pitch well and pitch deep into the ballgame. He did both. Bradish’s line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K.

Unfortunately for Bradish and the O’s, he made one bad pitch. And that was in the top of the fourth – Gallo smacked a solo home run. And that was the lone run of the game.

The O’s made it interesting in the last of the ninth when Jorge Mateo pinch ran for Adley Rutschman following an infield hit, and immediately took off to steal second. He was called out, but upon review he was ruled safe. However Anthony Santander flew out to right, and Ryan O’Hearn recorded the final out, to clinch the game and series win for Minnesota.

That aforementioned Santander fly out…it was largely indicative of the entire game for the Orioles. The Minnesota right fielder made an amazing play on the ball, which may have been foul anyways. But he made a diving slide of a catch.

And on plays where Minnesota defenders didn’t make larger than life plays, the Orioles were hitting the ball directly to them. Almost every ball put in play found a glove. And some of them didn’t even require the fielder to move. Again however, in other situations Minnesota defenders were making amazing plays on the ball.

And it’s frustrating when you’re scuffling as it is, only to have the opponent making amazing plays. It all adds up. And it’s frustrating.

The O’s will attempt to salvage one win in this series in the finale tomorrow at Camden Yards. Cole Irvin gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Sonny Gray. Game time is set for just after noon.