In a move that shocked a lot of people, Dean Kremer made his scheduled start for the Baltimore Orioles tonight. This after Kremer got hit on the forearm last weekend in Colorado, and manager Brandon Hyde thought it was unlikely he would start tonight. I did also, for the record. But Kremer not only made the start, but spun a gem. Kremer’s line: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K.
This was a pitcher’s duel from the beginning. Luckily for the Birds, their guy was slightly better. Kremer didn’t surrender a hit until the seventh inning. In the flip side, Colton Cowser drew a walk in the fifth, and advanced to third on a walk by Cedric Mullins and an error. He would later score on a sacrifice fly by Jackson Holliday.
Gunnar Henderson would also lead off the sixth with a solo homer, extending the lead to 2-0. Now when you shut an opponent out, that’s all you need. But the final score shows a shutout; this game had its moments down the stretch.
The only downside of Dean Kremer tonight was he tired quickly. This in the seventh, after he gave up his first hit of the night. Make no mistake that he was outstanding. However following a second base hit and an error, the bases were loaded with nobody out when Kremer exited.
Enter Yennier Cano, who’s been clutch down the stretch for this Orioles team. However entering the game in a high yield situation is tough. And you don’t get much more high-yield than up two, bases loaded and nobody out in the seventh.
Cano struck out two and induced a third out on a pop up. Inning over. No runs across, Orioles maintain the lead.
Seranthont Dominguez recorded a four-out save, and the Birds maintained their half game lead over New York (who won earlier in the day) in the AL East. Make no mistake, while Dominguez got the save, the real save went to Yennier Cano. He thread the needle while walking a tightrope in the seventh inning. You WILL NOT see a reliever be more clutch in a moment than that. And it won the game for the Orioles tonight.
The series continues tomorrow at Camden Yards. Zach Eflin gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Ryan Pepiot. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.
Birdland Crush 