Despite technical difficulties in the ballpark and a semi-tough first inning, Dean Kremer was outstanding this afternoon. He barely even had to “battle;” he mowed Tampa hitters down left and right. Kremer’s line: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K.
There was some sort of issue with MLB’s equipment at the beginning of today’s game. We didn’t have the radar guns, pitch tracker, etc. It didn’t seem to affect much for Kremer as the O’s – they just played ball. About halfway through the game the “glitch” was fixed.
Keener pitched out of a mini-jam in the first. And on we went. The O’s took a 1-0 lead following a leadoff double in the second on Colton Cowser’s RBI-single. That score held up for four innings – until the Orioles started tacking on,
Cedric Mullins started the rally in the fifth. With Gary Sanchez already on base after a leadoff single, Mullins immediately laid down a bunt – but a bunt for a base hit. Mullins beat it out, and the O’s had runners at first and second with nobody out.
Coby Mayo’s subsequent RBI-single extended the lead to 2-0. It’s small things like that which win games. Mullins did it, and it made a huge difference. Later in the inning Ramon Urias’ sac fly-RBI extended the lead to 3-0.
The O’s picked up two insurance runs in the last of the sixth. Insurance runs in a sense – remember, this Tampa team feels they’re never out of it. Gary Sanchez tacked on an RBI-single, and Cedric Mullins a sac fly-RBI.
The key play to me was the bunt by Mullins. The subsequent run, and all other runs in the game were manufactured – team baseball. Another unsung moment was Kremer inducing Diaz into a double-play with one on and one out in the sixth. That meant that Aranda (a heavy hitter), wouldn’t be hitting with runners on base. Also worth noting that Colton Cowser robbed Jansen of a two-run homer in the eighth, reaching over the wall to bring the ball back. Tampa would bet a solo homer by Lowe in the ninth.
End of the day, the Orioles won this game, ABD the series. That’s huge – when you manage to get slaughtered in one game but still take the series. Needless to say, it’s a good way to start a road trip. Kremer’s effort also helped heal the bullpen after yesterday.
The Orioles now head to Texas to open up a three-game set at Globe Life Field. Trevor Rogers gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Patrick Corbin. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.
Birdland Crush 