Cole Irvin didn’t get the win last night for the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium, but for the second consecutive outing he put the Birds where they needed to be. They ended up losing in his last start in Nee York. This time they got it right. Irvin put them in a spot to win, which is a starter’s job. Irvin’s line: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K.
In a series of consequence between teams with two of the best records in the league in one of baseball’s marquee facilities, it was the Orioles who struck first. Ryan O’Hearn’s solo homer in the second inning gave them a 1-0 lead. Los Angeles would even the score in the bottom of the inning on a sac fly-RBI by Rojas, this after a one-out triple by Edman. It was ruled a triple, but it also should have been a double, as Colton Cowser misplayed the ball in the outfield. You can chalk that up to having never having played at Dodger Stadium, but attention to detail matters.
One inning later Hernandez’s RBI-single gave LA the lead. Irvin would exit in the fifth, but not he did so with the lead. Ramon Urias’ two-run homer gave the Orioles the lead back, at 3-2. Matt Bowman came out of the bullpen and pitched five outs of quality baseball the get the Orioles through to the seventh.
And Bowman was credited for the win, as the Birds took the game 3-2. While Bowman got the win by default in a sense, manager Brandon Hyde was impressed with his effort (quote courtesy of Steve Melewski, MASNsports):
I thought Bowman honestly got the biggest outs of the game there, coming in in that spot. Middle of the order, right-handed bats with traffic. Just a heckuva job by him. And then the guys behind him. Cionel threw the ball great. Nice to see Cano really throw the ball well and Seranthony dodged some trouble there in the ninth inning with really good stuff. That last ball, wasn’t sure if that was going to be in the gap or not, you can never tell with Dodger Stadium. Nice job holding on for the win.
Keep in mind, the Orioles have injuries galore right now. Including Ryan Mountcastle, who was put on the IL on Monday. (Retroactive to August 23rd.) However Ryan O’Hearn, Matt Bowman, Cole Irvin, and Ramon Urias all stepped up big last night for this team. They symbolize that next man up mentality.
O’Hearn of course is a guy who’s stepped up all season. He’s a utility player, who’s been “utilized” for most of the season in various roles. However until Mountcastle returns, he’s now the everyday first baseman. Ramon Urias is the everyday third basemen in Jordan Westburg’s absence. Both corner infield positions are covered by guys filling in for starters. And those two spots accounted for the Orioles’ runs last night.
The series continues this evening at Dodger Stadium. Corbin Burnes gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Los Angeles’ Walker Buehler. Game time is set for just after 10 PM.
Birdland Crush 