Corbin Burnes got the ball this afternoon in Sarasota against Toronto, on the day the Baltimore Orioles announced he would be their Opening Day starter. Burnes cruised through two innings, but had some struggles at the end. But so did every other pitcher today. Burnes’ line: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 K.
The Orioles got on the board early. Adley Rutschman led off for the Birds in the last of the first with a solo homer. It was merely a harbinger of what was to come. Toronto’s Clement would touch up Burnes in the third with a two-run homer, giving them a 3-1 lead.
But today was all about the long ball. Colton Cowser’s two-run homer in the last of three tied the game at three. But an inning later Toronto struck back, with Serven hitting a two-run shot of his own, followed by James McCann in the last of the fourth bringing the O’s back to within one.
Across the board, the teams hit six home runs this afternoon in Sarasota. They would trade homers in the sixth, with Ramon Urias’ solo shot bringing the Birds back to within one at 6-5. The O’s would tie the game when TT Bowens grounded into a fielder’s choice in the seventh, and the runner from third was safe at home plate.
But that was the end of the scoring. The two sides agreed to end the game after nine innings, and it culminated in a tie. But no less than six homers in the game – which can happen here and there in Florida. The wind has something to do with it, last I checked.
If you think that’s a lot, the O’s and Toronto played split squad games both in Sarasota and Dunedin today. In the Dunedin game, the O’s defeated Toronto 11-6, in a game that featured five homers. Including one by Jackson Holliday.
The Orioles head to Tampa tomorrow to take on New York at Steinbrenner Field. Julio Tehran gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Will Warren. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 