It would stand to reason that Baltimore Orioles’ bats would cool off eventually. They put up seven on Wednesday, 17 on Thursday, and 11 last night. But this afternoon with Corbin Burnes on the mound in Houston, it was a different story. Burnes’ line: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 5 K.
The O’s did take an early lead of 1-0. Jordan Westburg hit a solo homer in the second inning. However Houston seemed to take a solo homers don’t hurt you approach. They would all but immediately tie the game in the last of that second inning on Dubon’s sac fly-RBI.
One inning later they had the lead. Alvarez’s two-run homer put the Birds in a 3-1 hole. And Houston would put two more on the board, both by way of…you guessed it, solo homers. Both by McCormick, one in the fifth and one in the eighth.
The O’s couldn’t muster much offensively, but again you had to know that was going to happen eventually. They’re too good of a lineup to let that span too long. I wouldn’t think it’s a trend that will continue.
Despite taking the loss, it’s noteworthy that Corbin Burnes pitched seven today. The Oriole bullpen’s been taxed, both from the New York series, and from last night. Brian Baker pitched the eighth, and he was the only reliever to play today. That helps the pen going forward.
The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at Minute Maid Park. Al Suarez gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Frambler Valdez. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.
Birdland Crush 