In taking the bump at Chase Field for the Baltimore Orioles last night, Peoria, AZ native Kyle Bradish got to pitch a game in the ballpark he grew up visiting. While he didn’t necessarily have his best command, Bradish muscled through and pitched to a quality start. And got the win; which is probably the most important part. Bradish’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K.
Bradish’s two runs surrendered were somewhat fluky. Marte’s RBI-double in the third gave Arizona a 1-0 lead. It was a weird bouncing ball down the first base line, which didn’t go that far. However the field turf slowed it up enough for Marte to get to second. Later in the inning Thomas grounded into a force out with the bases loaded by bouncing a ball high off the field turf, not allowing the O’s to turn two. The Birds trailed 2-0 after three.
But that’s where the fluky ended and power took over. The O’s put two runners on in the fourth, bringing Cedric Mullins to the plate. And Mullins sent a DEEP shot to right field, resulting in a three-run homer. Just like that, the O’s led 3-2.
But they were just getting warmed up. Adam Frazier and James McCann added RBI-doubles, and Adley Rutschman an RBI-single. When the smoke cleared, the Orioles led 6-2.
Big innings are key for championship-caliber teams. If you can put up a crooked number here or there, you’ll never be out of a game. And that’s key as we go towards October.
Adley Rutschman would shoot a solo homer out in the seventh. Arizona’s Moreno would follow suit in the last of the ninth, however too little too late. The O’s took this one 7-3, and with Tampa losing as well narrowed their magic number to win the AL East Pennant to 25.
The series concludes this afternoon at Chase Field. Jack Flaherty gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Arizona’s Zac Gallen. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.
Birdland Crush 