Grayson Rodriguez got the start last night for the Baltimore Orioles in Angel Stadium against Anaheim. Given where Anaheim is in the standings, it shouldn’t have been the opener of a high stakes series. But it was – because of where the Orioles were in the standings. Tampa had already lost earlier in the day, meaning that the O’s had a shot to put more space between them. Rodriguez’s line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K.
Luckily for the Orioles, Rodriguez did his part. He’s been great thus far since coming back to the big leagues (following a stint back in triple-A). But he’s still a rookie, and a guy with such little experience throwing in such a high stakes game does give you pause. However Rodriguez was up to the challenge. He gave up an early run in the second on a Moniak RBI-double, but it was smooth sailing from there for the most part.
Luckily for Rodriguez, Oriole bats immediately answered. And that’s what good teams do. Giving up one run early means nothing. Austin Hays promptly tied the game in the top of the third with an RBI-double. Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI-single immediately gave the Orioles the lead – and for good. Aaron Hicks (who’s back from the DL) would add to that with an RBI-single later in the inning, and the Orioles led 3-1.
Again, this is what good teams do. When the O’s were struggling in past years we saw good teams of those era’s doing it to the Birds. You might net an early run and take an early lead in a ballgame. But the cream rises to the top. And a good team isn’t worrying about being one or two runs down early. Especially a team like the O’s, who’ve consistently done their best work late all year.
Anaheim would close to within one on a solo homer by Grichuk in the fourth, but again a good team isn’t going to let that bother them. Gunnar Henderson put the Orioles over the top in the seventh with a three-run homer. Anaheim would again inch closer on a solo shot by Drury in the eighth, however the Birds were able to close out a 6-3 win in Southern California.
With the aforementioned Tampa loss, the O’s now lead the AL East by 3.5 games. Their “magic number” to win the division is 22. That still sounds like a lot, but it closes fast – so long as they keep on winning. And they have a chance to close some big space next weekend when Tampa comes to Camden Yards for four games.
The series continues this evening at Angel Stadium. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Reid Detmers. Game time is set for just after 9:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 