Dean Kremer didn’t have his best stuff last night in Anaheim, but neither did the Baltimore Orioles in total. And throughout a 162-game season, that’s sometimes going to be the case. But at this point you want to win and move on. And that’s exactly what the Orioles did last night. Kremer’s line: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K.
The Orioles took the lead in the third in an RBI-single by Adley Rutschman. What was important about that play was the hit was to shallow left field. Anaheim’s left fielder, Grichuk, came up throwing – trying to nail the runner at home plate. The throw was way up the line, which allowed Rutschman to take second on the throw.
Ryan Mountcastle would then plate Rutschman with an RBI-single. Now that is an earned run, and it doesn’t go down as an error – because the official scorer ruled that even a good throw wouldn’t have gotten the runner. But it’s fundamental mistakes like that which separate the men from the boys. And past Oriole teams have made that exact mistake, and opposing teams have taken advantage. Shoe’s on the other foot now.
Anaheim would tie the score in the seventh on an RBI-double by Drury and an RBI-single by Moustakas. Cabbage’s RBI-single in the eighth would give Anaheim a 3-2 lead. But these are the Orioles – and they do their best work late. With their backs against the wall.
Ryan O’Hear’s RBI-single in the ninth would tie the game at three, and the O’s would actually take the lead on a subsequent RBI-single by Ryan Mountcastle. However Anaheim was’t about to go quietly either. Moniak’s RBI-single in the last of the ninth tied the game back up at four, and sending it to extra innings.
And the with the ghost runner on third and one out, Jordan Westburg turned on a soft ground ball in the infield. The only play was at first, giving the O’s a 5-4 lead. This time they were able to close it out, ensuring themselves of a series win in Anaheim. And giving them the season series against the Angels.
Unfortunately for the Birds, Tampa came back to defeat Boston in extra innings. Do their lead remains 3.5 games in the AL East, making that series against Tampa at Camden Yards next weekend look bigger and bigger. However by virtue of the win, the O’s trimmed their magic number to 21.
The series concludes this evening at Angel Stadiun. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Patrick Sandoval. Game time is set for just after 9:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 