Dean Kremer got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon, on a getaway day at Camden Yards that won’t soon be forgotten. The O’s needed to win, OR have Texas or Seattle lose in order to get to the playoffs. Of course the best idea would be to win, as that would also put them back up two in the division standings. Kremer’s line: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K.
Kremer’s line run allowed was a solo homer by Lowe in the first inning. However the O’s tied it in the last of the fourth on an RBI-single by Austin Hays. And as time went on, it became evident that the O’s were going to clinch a playoff spot – regardless of the outcome of today’s game. Cleveland put up a nine-run inning on Texas, effectively ending the competitive portion of that game.
For what it’s worth, Tampa was in a spot to clinch a playoff spot with a Texas loss as well. So both teams had an interest in that game. So back-to-back home runs by Tampa in the eighth did put a damper on things, but not too much. Both teams were already on their way to being in.
But the O’s do their best work late. We’ve said that all season. Adley Rutschman’s solo homer in the last of the eighth cut the lead to 3-2. Yet it appeared that Tampa had taken a two-run lead back in the top of the ninth, when Aranda reached on a fielder’s choice with runners at the corners. His swinging bunt was fielded by Ryan O’Hearn at first, and O’Hearn fired home, appearing to nail the runner. However the home plate umpire ruled the runner safe.
The O’s immediately challenged, and the call was overturned on replay. Keep that play in mind, because it MIGHT end up deciding the division. If all’s said and done and the teams are tied, the Orioles own the tiebreaker.
In that sequence of events, Cleveland’s 9-2 game against Texas became a final. And with that, the 2023 Baltimore Orioles officially became a playoff team. Obviously the division race is still in question, but one way or the other, the Orioles are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. And THAT’s the reason you play the game!
But the O’s still trailed. Not for long, however. Adam Frazier’s RBI-double scored Jorge Mateo from first, tying the game at three. However Tampa put two swinging bunts together in the tenth to take a 4-3 lead. But the O’s still had to hit in the last of the tenth. And once again, Adley Rutschman came up big, this time with an RBI-single which tied the game.
Following a sacrifice bunt, Cedric Mullins came up with a runner on third in the last of the 11th. And his sac fly played the fifth run of the day, and the final one at that. With the 5-4 walk off win, the Orioles put a stamp on what was already a successful day.
Again, keep that challenge call at the plate in mind. If somehow Tampa (who now trails the Orioles by two games in the AL East) comes back to tie the division, the Birds own the tie breaker. Now they already had the tiebreaker because of yesterday’s win, but it gives the Orioles a two-game lead in the division – for now. This as opposed to being in a statistical tie. That makes a difference.
The Orioles now head to Houston to open up a three-game set at Minute Maid Park. John Means gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Justin Verlander. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.
Birdland Crush 