Trevor Rogers was called up to the majors to make his Baltimore Orioles’ season debut between games of the doubleheader today at Fenway Park. Rogers of course was underwhelming last season after being acquired by trade. Needless to say, he was outstanding tonight. Rogers’ line: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K.
Rogers mowed ‘em down from the beginning this evening. The Oriole bullpen wasn’t in awful shape following the first game, despite the loss. However Rogers going into the seventh inning put them in great shape going into tomorrow.
Unfortunately he left the game with a no decision. The score was 0-0 into the eighth. Following a Maverick Handley walk with one out in the eighth, Gunnar Henderson grounded into what could have been an inning-ending double-play. However Henderson hustled down the line. And I mean he hustled big time. And he reached first safely, keeping the inning alive.
Following another walk, the O’s had a runner in scoring position in the form of Gunnar Henderson. On a 2-2 count, Ryan O’Hearn smacked an RBI-double and the Orioles led 1-0. Make no mistake, that RBI was as much Gunnar Henderson’s as it was O’Hearn’s. The hustle down the line kept the inning going and created that run.
However Boston put two runners on with nobody out. Andrew Kittredge recorded an out, and was lifted for Seranthony Dominguez. With one out and two on, Dominguez was tasked with walking a tight rope. And he did. Duran struck out and Devers popped out to first, ending the inning and preserving the Orioles’ lead.
Jorge Mateo drew a two out walk in the top of the ninth, and immediately stole second base. Everyone in the ballpark knew he was going to steal there, including the Boston Red Sox. But his speed and hustle is too strong, and they couldn’t stop it. Mateo would score on Dylan Carlson’s RBI-double, and the Birds led 2-0.
That was a huge run, and to be clear Mateo may have scored from first on that play. But his speed and hustle helped create that run. And it was huge in the long run.
The Orioles kept Dominguez in for the ninth, and he gave up a solo homer to lead off the inning ing to Toro – cutting the lead to 2-1. Jorge Mateo’s aforementioned speed gave him a great shot to catch the ball. He chased it down, and in short ran through the wall and fell into the Boston bullpen. He got glove on the ball, but it dropped out as he fell over the wall.
Mateo went all out, and even the fans at Fenway Park took notice, and gave Mateo a standing ovation for his effort. Dominguez sent Boston down 1-2-3 after that, and the Orioles took game two of the doubleheader, 2-1. They have a chance to tie the series tomorrow afternoon.
Jorge Mateo and Trevor Rogers both put forth memorable efforts tonight. Rogers may have turned in the best start the Orioles have seen this year. Many question why Mateo is still on the team. I think you got your answer tonight.
Tony Mansolino also made a great move in keeping Dominguez in the game until the end. It would have been easy, and maybe advisable, to have lifted him after the home run. But he stuck with him and said it was his game to lose. And he came through. Great team win for the Birds.
The series concludes tomorrow at Fenway Park. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Walker Buehler. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 