For the second consecutive game a Baltimore Orioles’ starting pitcher came within an out of qualifying for the win in the Bronx. The only difference is that had he lasted one more out, Cole Irvin would have gotten the win. Although the Orioles did win the game last night, it took until extras. Irvin’s line: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 2 K.
Today’s game was without controversy. From the beginning, it also didn’t have the drama of the other two games in this series. Ryan O’Hearn’s first inning RBI-single set the table, and foreshadowed what was to come.
And for starters, what was to come was a six-run second inning against New York starter Gil. Cedric Mullins’ two-run homer started things off. In the wake of that the Birds would load the bases, and Ryan Mountcastle would subsequently clear them with a double. And the rout was on.
O’Hearn would later score with the bases once again loaded, when Jordan Westburg was hit by a pitch. And that was only in the second inning! Torres would smack a solo homer in the last of the second in an attempt to claw away at the lead by New York, but again…the rout was on.
After an O’Hearn sac fly-RBI in the third, New York would try to close again. Judge smacked two-run homer, cutting the lead to 8-3. However all that seemed to do was remind the Birds that there were still two teams playing in this game.
If the game wasn’t already blown wide open, Anthony Santander did that in the fifth with a three-run homer. Judge pulled New York back to within 11-5 on an RBI-single, but…did it really matter? I guess it did to the O’s as they continued their onslaught.
Gunnar Henderson would ground out into a run in the sixth, and Austin Hays’ two-run homer in the seventh ran it to 14-5. Tack on RBI-singles by O’Hearn and Ryan Mountcastle, and the Orioles closed out a 17-5 win in New York.
The Birds took two-of-three from New York, and now sit only .5 games back of first. They’re also one up in the loss column. That’s a huge takeaway.
You can’t help but mention the bluster and controversy that came from this series. One team handled it well. The other didn’t. You know who’s who.
The O’s tomorrow open up a three-game set against Houston at Minute Maid Park. Grayson Rodriguez (native Texan) gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Jake Bloss. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.
Birdland Crush 