The Baltimore Orioles opened a series in Los Angeles last night. Technically Anaheim – Disney. You get the idea. The Birds sent Albert Suarez to the mound for what amounts to another spot start, and they got exactly what they needed out of him. Suarez’s line: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K.
For Suarez, it was his first MLB win since June of 2016. This about that; you think a few things have happened since then?! Suarez pitched well for the Birds in his last outing, but didn’t qualify for the win. Manager Brandon Hyde commented after the game:
I thought he made some nice adjustments in the game. Him and [catcher James] McCann started working well together. They started throwing a lot more changeups and cutters. Hitters couldn’t just sit fastball on him. Once again, he gave us a great start.
Quote courtesy of Brent Maguire, MLB.com
Speaking of James McCann, he got the O’s started on the scoreboard in the second inning with a solo homer. Adley Rutschman’s RBI-single an inning later padded the lead. In his next turn at bat, Rutschman tacked on an RBI-double, this in the top of the fifth. Colton Cowser would also homer in the seventh.
And it’s a darned good thing he did. Anaheim mounted a semi-comeback. Adell got them on the board in the last of the seventh with a solo homer. Schanuel’s RBI-single later in the inning cut the lead to 4-2. However the Oriole bullpen was able to button things up, and the Birds went onto a 4-2 victory.
The series continues tonight at Angel Stadium. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Griffin Canning. Game time is set for just after 9:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 