The Baltimore Orioles used Scott Blewett as an opener today in the final game against Anaheim. Blewett went deeper than some openers before giving way to Cade Povich, who was the “bulk pitcher.” Blewett’s line: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 1 K.
It was almost a deficit that Blewett handed off to Povich. Schanuel hit a solo home run in the first inning. This after a bizarre sequence after the first pitch, which Anaheim challenged claiming a HBP. They lost the challenge. If you challenge on the first pitch, you’d better be right. They weren’t.
Jordan Westburg led the game off by reaching on a fielding error and ending up at second base. That brought Ramon Urias to the plate, and he gave the O’s the lead with a two-run homer. Blewett exited in the third after a runner got to third and later scored on a wild pitch. One of my arguments against the concept of an opener is it puts a traditional starter such as Cade Povich in a potentially odd situation. Hence wild pitches occurring.
But Ramon Laureano’s RBI-single in the fourth gave the O’s the lead back. With two outs in the sixth and Gary Sanchez at third, Cedric Mullins laid down a bunt. He would not only reach first on a throwing error, but he would make it to third base. Which means Sanchez scored, and the O’s extended their lead to 4-2.
Coby Mayo, whose bat is slowly coming along, would tack on a run-scoring double before the inning ended. Anaheim would threaten in the seventh. They loaded the bases, prompting Cade Povich to give way to Seranthony Dominguez. But Dominguez struck out the last two hitters to end the inning, preserving the Oriole lead.
Anaheim had a chance. And to channel the Orioles’ opener, they “Blewett.” But the Orioles made them pay. They intentionally loaded the bases by walking Gunnar Henderson. Following a Ramon Laureano strikeout, Gary Sanchez came to the plate. Gary Sanchez, who just came off the IL…
…and Gary Sanchez who put the game out of reach with a grand slam. That was huge. Tack on a two-run homer by Jordan Westburg in the eighth, and the O’s went home 11-2 winners on Father’s Day.
With the sweep of Anaheim, the O’s finished the home stand at 4-2. It feels like things are different. Needless to say, they’re back to Feb games below .500. That’s something. Whether it’s too little too late remains to be seen.
The O’s now head to Tampa to open a four-game set tomorrow at Steinbrenner Field. the Birds are yet to announce a starter, but Tampa’s starting Ryan Pepiot. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 