The Baltimore Orioles got a look at their most recent acquisition in game one of a twin bill, that being starter Zach Eflin. If one start is any indication (which it most certainly is not), he was worth every penny. Eflin’s line: 6.0 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 7 K.
Eflin was pretty strong. If you’re keeping track at home, that’s a quality start in his maiden outing for the Orange & Black. And for once, an Oriole starter got some run support.
The first inning was “interesting,” to say the least. Toronto starter Rodriguez walked the first three Orioles hitters. Ryan Mountcastle then blooped an RBI-single to center. However the bases remained loaded.
Jordan Westburg would ground out to give the Birds their second run. Ramon Urias would also walk in a run, and James McCann would come up later in the inning with the bases still loaded. Now the good news is that McCann drove in the Orioles’ fourth run. The bad news is it came in the wake of McCann getting hit square in the nose with a 95 MPH fastball.
McCann was down on the field for some time. There was a lot of blood, needless to say. BUT…McCann stayed in the game. He took his base at first. His toughness and grit can’t be questioned. He wasn’t coming out of the game, despite the fact that nobody would have blamed him for doing so.
Ramon Urias would add an RBI-ground out in the last of the third, and Ryan O’Hearn a sac fly-RBI in the fourth. Later in the fourth inning Jordan Westburg added an RBI-double. The Birds held a 7-0 lead, however Toronto did get on the board in the fifth with a three-run homer by Barger.
However the O’s weren’t done. Far from it. After a sac fly-RBI by Colton Cowser in the last of the fifth, Anthony Santander added a two-run homer. Toronto would add two additional nominal runs thanks to Guerrero, one of which was a solo homer. And wouldn’t you know it, the Birds had a solo homer out of Ryan Mountcastle still in them in the eighth. Because of course Ryan Mountcastle homered against Toronto!
The story of course is James McCann and his serious HBP. Not to mention the part about him staying in the game. That’s grit and determination for you. There’s no question he has to have a broken nose. McCann’s been a big part of what’s happened with this franchise the past couple of seasons, and with what we saw out of him today he etched his name forever into Oriole lore. That sort of grit is about as Baltimore as it gets.
The series continues in just a few moments at Camden Yards. Cade Povich gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Bowden Francis. Game time is set for…whenever the Orioles set the game time!
Birdland Crush 