Dean Kremer was strong for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon against Philadelphia in Clearwater. Pitching against most of Philadelphia’s starting team, Kremer was dominant in the short amount of time he was in the game. And on that note, keep in mind that managers usually build up starters to going five or six plus innings as the spring goes on. Kremer’s line: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K.
Top prospect and catcher Samuel Basallo led off the third inning and reached on catcher’s interference. That’s seemingly a minor moment, however it’s also a reminder that things can happen when guys find a way to get on base. After a strikeout, a Ramon Laureano single, a Jackson Holliday groundout, and a walk, the bases were loaded.
That brought Colton Cowser to the plate, and his two-RBI single gave the O’s a 2-0 lead. Again, that rally began with a runner reaching on catcher’s interference. Seems fairly inconsequential. But when people get on base anything can happen.
Philadelphia would get solo homers from Bohm and Mercado in the fourth and fifth respectively, tying the game at two. Bohm struck again with a solo home run in the sixth, giving Philadelphia a 3-2 lead. However an inning later it was tied again on an RBI-single by Livan Soto.
That also left a runner at third base in the form of Samuel Basallo, who broke for home when Soto tried to steal second base. And he was safe due to an errant throw. Again, get guys on base and things can happen.
Sadly for the O’s on this day however, that premise also was a part of them losing the game. Philadelphia loaded the bases with two outs in the last of the ninth. And a two-RBI single by Kroon walked the O’s off on this day in Clearwater, as they fell 5-4.
The Birds return home to Sarasota tomorrow as Boston comes into Ed Smith Stadium. Charlie Morton gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Hunter Dobbins. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 