The Baltimore Orioles opened on the road, get a token three-game home series, and then back on the road. However they made the most of their home opener this afternoon against Boston at Camden Yards behind starter Cade Povich. Povich’s line: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K.
The O’s got RBI-singles from Tyler O’Neill and Ryan Mountcastle in the first inning, sending the hometown crowd into a frenzy. Ryan Mountcastle would add a two-run single, aided by a Boston error. And before you knew it, the home team led 4-0.
However Boston would battle back. And you expect nothing less. They put three on the board in the second and third, cutting the Orioles’ lead to 4-3. And there the game remained – for awhile.
Both sides danced out of trouble a few times along the way. The Orioles have left a small army on base thus far this year. That could be a problem. They also lost Colton Cowser for 6-8 weeks at a minimum before the game. He fractured his finger sliding into first base yesterday. Dylan Carlson replaced him on the roster.
With the AL East being so good, insurance runs are going to be a thing this year. You have to tack on runs late in a close game. And we saw it today.
Luckily for the O’s, that wasn’t a problem this afternoon. Heston Kjerstad’s RBI-single in the eighth extended the lead to 5-3. And here’s another thing; Jorge Mateo pinch ran, and promptly stole second. Following a Carlson walk, Cedric Mullins busted the game open with a two-RBI single.
Mateo’s speed is a game-changer. There’s a direct correlation with those two runs and Mateo’s speed. You can’t see it in the box score, but it made a difference.
Jackson Holliday added an RBI-single, and the O’s had all but won the game. Granted, Boston tacked on two against closer Felix Bautista in the ninth. Many might want to scrutinize that, however keep in mind that Bautista is still coming back from Tommy John’s. The fact that he got in today’s game is good for the O’s. Sure you’d rather a clean inning, but that will come.
End of the day, it’s a win. One game of 162. However…it was the home opener, the orange carpet, player introductions, fans out at bars all day leading up to the game, etc. It’s a holiday in Baltimore. It means just a bit more, and it goes as a win.
Birdland Crush 