Tomoyuki Sugano’s had a rough go of things for the Baltimore Orioles of late. He was somewhere in between great and not good in the second game of today’s doubleheader, and still managed to pitch a quality start. Sugano’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K.
Sugano put some traffic on base right out of the gate, but semi-minimized the damage. He allowed two runs in an RBI-groundout by Soto, and a sac fly-RBI to Alonso. When you can allow runs to score while recording outs and clearing the bases, that helps.
The Orioles got on the board thanks to a most unlikely catalyst – that being catcher Alex Jackson (who was just acquired via trade last weekend). Following Cedric Mullins’ one-out double, Jackson added an RBI-double, cutting the New York lead to 2-1. Jackson would score himself later in the inning when Jordan Westburg slugged one over the fence for a two-run home run, giving the Birds a 3-2 lead.
Sugano had one other hiccup, that being an RBI-single surrendered to Baty in the fourth. That did tie the game at three. However luckily for Sugano, Oriole bats stayed hot before he departed. Colton Cowser’s RBI-single in the fifth gave the Birds the lead back at 4-3. Ramon Urias reached on an E5, allowing Ramon Laureano to score to run it to 5-3.
We’ve seen the O’s “error their way” into deficits all season. That starts with getting guys on base; when you get guys on base, anything can happen. Today it worked in the Orioles’ favor.
And they added on an inning later. Alex Jackson showed he also had some speed – for a catcher. He ran on contact when Jordan Westburg sent a hopper to short. He slid in safely, and the O’s led 6-3. Ramon Laureano would tack on a seventh run on a fielder’s choice-RBI, and the Orioles went home 7-3 winners.
One of the reasons teams don’t like doubleheaders (one of the various reasons) is because statistically most teams tend to split doubleheaders. Today was a statistical oddity in that sense, because the Birds swept today’s games. And in doing so they took two-of-three from the Metropolitans from Queens.
The O’s now open a three-game set with Miami tomorrow night at Camden Yards – final series of the first half. The O’w are yet to announce a starter, but Miami will pitch Edward Cabrera. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 