Brandon Young didn’t have it tonight for the Baltimore Orioles. Then again, neither did the bullpen relievers that followed him. And save for a brief moment, neither did Oriole bats. Young’s line: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K.
Before the game of course MASN broadcaster Tom Davis, former outfielder Joe Orsulak, and of course former outfielder Adam Jones were inducted into the Orioles’ Hall of Fame. Needless to say, the Orioles do things such as their Hall of Fame Induction correctly. Nostalgia is a huge part of sports, and this is a very traditional fan base. The O’s are the masters at what you might call Field of Dreams style moments.
But that was perhaps the biggest highlight for the O’s. Maybe not – after the Athletics smacked a two-run home run in the first inning, Gunnar Henderson hit a three-run shot in the home half of the frame, a homer that was set up by Jordan Westburg butcher boying his way on base. So the Orioles did lead the game for a moment. However in the wake of that Henderson homer, 15 consecutive Orioles were retired.
One thing Young and other Orioles pitchers had in common tonight is they couldn’t get out of at-bats. With two strikes guys would find a way to get on base. That began in the first at-bat of the game when Young started out 0-2, and walked the hitter. The two-run homer ensued. You have to get out of at-bats.
Similarly, Rooker’s three-run home run in the third gave the Athletics the lead back. And that came after the precious hitter was in a two-strike hole. Hernias would add a sac fly-RBI to extend the lead to 6-3 before the inning ended.
The fifth inning was the killer. The Athletics put up five runs. And it could have been worse had Adley Rutschman not picked a runner off third. And again, the O’a couldn’t put the capper on. With two outs Hernaiz grounded back to the pitcher, Yaramil Hiraldo. Hiraldo muffed the ball, allowing the runner to reach,
Four of the five runs that scored in the inning came on the heels of that play. Which happened on another two-strike count. Obviously in that instance the pitcher (Hiraldo) in theory did get out of the situation. That would have been the third out. Until it wasn’t. The Athletics may be at a reduced power level, but you can’t give them multiple chances.
The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. Cade Povich gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by the Athletics’ Luis Morales. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 