The Baltimore Orioles brought the big leagues’ longest streak of not being swept into question today. If they lost to Milwaukee, the streak would be snapped – at 95 straight series’, it’s also the fourth longest in history. Corbin Burnes had a long slog of an outing, which amounted to a slog. Burnes’ line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 earned) 2 BB, 5 K.
Things started inauspiciously. Contreras hit the second pitch of the game out of the ballpark, giving Milwaukee a 1-0 lead. But the O’s came right back. Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-single in the last of the first tied things at one. One inning later, they had a 2-1 lead on a solo homer by Cedric Mullins.
However Milwaukee hoodwinked their way into tying the score. With two outs in the third and runners at the corners, Frelick attempted a steal of second base. However he had an awful jump, making one wonder if it was a failed hit-and-run attempt. But…with two outs?
While Frelick was caught in a rundown, Perkins crossed home plate, tying the score at two. Did Milwaukee purposely run into ending the inning to allow a run to score? Needless to say, it was a sneaky way of doing things.
But the Birds came back and took the lead on Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-single in the bottom of the inning. However Corbin Burnes committed a throwing error in the fourth, allowing a run to score which tied the score. Milwaukee would later take the lead in the seventh on a Perkins solo homer.
The Orioles looked defeated. And it wasn’t even due to the sweep streak. If there was ever a time to come back and fight another day, that might have been it. But championship teams can reach back and find a way.
Jordan Westburg led off the seventh with a single. That brought hit the still hitless Jackson Holliday to the plate. In possibly the biggest moment in the game to that point…
…needless to say, Holliday picked a great time for his first big league hit. And great placement – a tight liner down the right field line, allowing Westburg to go first to third. The entire park stood and gave Holliday a standing ovation. Deservedly so, but also due to the moment the Orioles were creating.
That brought Gunnar Henderson to the plate, and his RBI-single tied the game back up at 4. Adley Rutschman would then ground into a double-play, but with a runner on third and nobody out, that also scored a run. It was small and humble, but it gave the Birds a 5-4 lead. And “small and humble” has beaten the O’s all weekend. Turnabout is fair play.
The O’s would net an insurance run on a Colton Cowser solo homer in the eighth. But they went home winners today over Milwaukee, 6-4. Protecting the sweep streak, and extending it to 96 series’.
Heck of a moment for Jackson Holliday to get his first hit. Not only did it happen, but it did so in front of his entire family – including his Dad, former major leaguer Matt Holliday. And it made a huge difference in the flow of play.
The O’s welcome Minnesota into Camden Yards tomorrow night. Cole Irvin gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Louie Varland. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 