Baltimore Orioles’ starter Kyle Gibson was over the plate too often – something we’ve said about countless other starters in other games this year. Gibson was throwing strikes from the beginning, which obviously is a good thing. But not if you’re getting too much of the plate. Gibson’s line: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 K.
Gibson gave up three hits to the first three batters of the game, including an RBI-single by Moncada. Ward added a sac fly-RBI, and the O’s trailed 2-0. The interesting thing is that all four hitters swung early and often in the first inning. Ward made contact on the first pitch – BECAUSE the ball was over so much of the plate.
On the flip side, the O’s put runners on base early also. And in some cases, Anaheim starter Kochanowicz was somewhat wild. In one instance Anaheim manager Ron Washington came out of the dugout in a rare mound visit that didn’t involve changing pitchers. To be blunt, he was all over the place.
However you have to wonder if that wasn’t sleight of hand in a way. Because he always zero’d in and brought the count back full, often after running it to 3-0. You almost sensed a certain calm about him. A certain methodology almost. I
Opposing teams indubitably are aware of the Orioles’ early struggles. So you do wonder if perhaps the game plan wasn’t as simple as trying to make the O’s outthink themselves. If it wasn’t and Kochanowicz was missing his spots and then getting the Orioles to record outs late, it worked like a charm.
It doesn’t help when the Orioles are making solid contact, only to have the ball find a fielder’s mitt. At one point Ryan Mountcastle hit a ball at circa 110 MPH off the bat. That’s solid contact; only the ball was straight to the shortstop, who made the play at first base.
Anaheim extended their lead in the fourth with a solo home run by Adell. Again, this on the first pitch of the at-bat. Following a single, Anaheim’s Lugo hit another first at-bat pitch and recorded his first MLB hit – an RBI-triple. In short, Gibson was hitting his spots. But so were Anaheim bats. He would also give up an RBI-groundout in the fifth.
The O’s would make a small run however. Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI-double in the fifth would cut the lead to 5-1. Ramon Laureano added a solo home run in the ninth, but the O’s fell 5-2.
The O’s will get starter Zach Eflin back this afternoon, which is a much needed boost. Eflin famously doesn’t walk many people, which should hopefully minimize base runners. Time will tell.
The series concludes this afternoon at Angels Stadium. The aforementioned Zach Eflin gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Tyler Anderson. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.
Birdland Crush 