The Baltimore Orioles had slated Albert Suarez to pitch two innings in this afternoon’s spring opener against Pittsburgh at Ed Smith Stadium. He didn’t quite make it to that threshold, and it’s easy to look at the results and say that it was a poor outing. Needless to say, it wasn’t perfect. Suarez’s line: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 0 K.
In both the first and second innings, Suarez quickly recorded the first two outs. But he struggled with two out, which was a biggish storyline for all Oriole pitchers last season. Heck, it’s been a storyline for years. However in the first spring game, you hang on the positives – he had no issue getting to two outs, and his velocity was strong.
Suárez issued a double, a walk, and uncorked a wild pitch in the first. Stewart’s two-run double then gave Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. The O’s would put a couple on in the last of the second, and Ryan Mountcastle would score on a wild pitch. Just another reminder that when you get guys on base, good things can happen.
Ramon Laureano’s run-scoring single would tie the game at two. However Stewart’s return to Ed Smith Stadium wasn’t about to be spoiled – he was a top Oriole draft pick, after all. He smacked a wind-aided homer in the third, putting Pittsburgh back in the lead at 3-2.
Again though, get guys on base and good things can ensue. Dylan Carlson would add a sac fly-RBI in the fourth to the game at three. But Pittsburgh wasn’t about to mess around in this spring opener. Gorski’s two-run homer would give them a 5-3 lead in the sixth. Solak’s RBI-single in the eighth would extend it to 6-5.
However a familiar name from last year would tick the Birds to within one in the eighth. Emmanuel Rivera’s two-run homer cut the Pittsburgh lead to 6-5. Granted, you can’t use the term “clutch” because it’s spring training. But in the grand scheme of a game when you’re down three late, that was a clutch homer.
However Pittsburgh would load the bases in the ninth, bringing Gorski back to the plate. And he haunted the O’s again, launching a grand slam into the left field grandstand, sending the O’s down to defeat, 10-5.
Interestingly, the O’s were almost in a different spot in the inning. They had what would have been a fielder’s choice, but Emmanuel Rivera couldn’t find the bag on a throw. That loaded the bases, resulting in the grand slam. Attention to detail.
I would say it was a “disjointed” performance for the Orioles today. That’s also a good way to describe Suarez’s outing, and we know it begins and ends with starting pitching. One thing I did find curious is how sparingly Brandon Hyde used his regulars. Adley Rutschman didn’t even play today, and the Gunnar Henderson’s and Jordan Westburg’s of the world only had two at-bat’s.
Granted part of the reason why is that it’s an exhibition game. But I suppose I was expecting guys to last longer than two at-bats. However manager Brandon Hyde has a plan. That goes without saying.
The O’s head to Clearwater tomorrow to take on Philadelphia at BayCare Ballpark. Cade Povich gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Philadelphia’s Tyler Phillips. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 