Cade Povich scored his first big league win tonight for the Baltimore Orioles. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by Heston Kjerstad’s big game. Make no mistake however that you win and lose as a team. Everyone made a difference tonight. Povich’s line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
If you’re keeping score at home, that’s a quality start for Cade Povich. However he did surrender a solo home run early in the game to Seager. This in the first inning. But remember, solo home runs rarely hurt you too much.
And the same was true in the last of the second when Anthony Santander smacked a solo shot to tie the game at one. However Texas had another solo homer in them, this one off the bat of Hill – in the fifth. And the Orioles trailed 2-1.
But as opposed to a week ago or so, recently it’s been the Orioles who’ve taken advantage of opportunities thrown their way. The O’s loaded the bases in the last of the fifth, while freshly down 2-1. Heston Kjerdtad, effectively called the “Silent J” (due to the pronunciation of his name), came to the plate. And he didn’t disappoint.
Kjerstad smacked a grand slam, giving the Birds a 5-2 lead. That was a huge moment, as Texas would narrow things. Lowe smacked a two-run home run in the sixth, but Anthony Santander’s RBI-double in the seventh gave the Birds some insurance.
And they needed it. Garcia’s solo home run in the eighth brought things to within 6-5, and Craig Kimbrel go-ahead run on base in the ninth. However he was able to record the final out, giving the O’s a 6-5 win.
Kjerstad was outstanding tonight, as was Cade Povich. As I said however, team effort. That’s how you win games. Grand slams don’t hurt, either.
The series concludes tomorrow night before a national television audience on Sunday Night Baseball at Camden Yards. Cole Irvin gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Andrew Heaney. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 