Winning and losing didn’t mean anything today for the Baltimore Orioles against the BoSox in spring training. They just wanted to get off to a good start behind newly-acquired ace, Corbin Burnes. And they certainly did that, limited in action as Burnes was – that being one inning. Burnes’ line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.
Burnes may have only thrown the first inning, but needless to say he was “crisp.” And I think that’s the goal in spring games when you’re a veteran and starting with a new team. As far as first spring outings that only last one inning go, you’ll take that if you’re the Orioles. All day.
The good news was that Oriole regulars all seemed to show up today. Adley Rutschman smacked a solo homer over the right field wall in the last of the first to give the O’s a 1-0 lead early on. Boston would tie it back up however in the third with a solo homer by Contreras. Later in the inning Dalbec’s RBI-single would give them a 2-1 lead.
But the Orioles came back. Ramon Urias’ sac fly-RBI in the last of the fourth tied the game back up at two. The game became a “bullpen game” after that, with Boston striking back first. Hamilton’s RBI-single in the eighth would put them back on top at 3-2.
But they don’t call it Orioles Magic for nothing. And even in its spring version, it’s pretty exciting. Errol Robinson sent a flare down the left field line which just missed the gloves of Boston fielders, falling fair just inside the line. Robinson would later take second base on a wild pitch, all this with nobody out.
That brought Colton Cowser to the plate. He sent what appeared to be a pop up to left center. However the ball kept going, and motored its way over the wall. That gave the Birds a 4-3 walk off win against Boston in game one of the Florida Grapefruit League.
You can’t go wrong with walkoff victories, even in Spring Training. However for what it’s worth, both Oriole homers today were wind-aided. But that’s true of a lot of home runs in the Florida spring. Overall it was a solid game on both sides of the ball for the Orioles, but also left a lot on which to build. Which is right about where you’d want anyone to be at this point.
Tomorrow the O’s head to Bradenton to take on Pittsburgh at Lecom Park. Cole Irvin makes his spring debut and gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 