The Baltimore Orioles used Dietrich Enns as an opener this evening against Boston. I’ve said it before – I’m not a fan of the concept of an “opener.” It’s too quirky and against the traditional grain of baseball, the most traditional of sports. Enns’ line: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
Enns’ loan run surrendered was a solo homer by Anthony in the first at-bat of the game. If you think an opener is a fine way to go, fact is it didn’t work. Many will say it did given that they only surrendered one run. But my point would be that the opener is supposed to in essence do what a closer does, save for it being in the first inning. Closers traditionally throw heat.
In the last of the second the Orioles tied it on an RBI-double by Dylan Beavers. I can understand the ruling, but my personal opinion is it should have been an E8. He flared a ball to center, and Rafaela made a diving attempt at the ball. He actually appeared to get it, but he dropped it. Nevertheless that play tied the game at one.
It was another misplay by Rafaela in the seventh that gave the Orioles the lead. Dylan Beavers lined a ball to center, and Rafaela and the left fielder Duran let it fall between them and lodge under the wall. It’s not an error, but it is a miscue by Rafaela (and Duran), and it gave the Orioles the lead.
Boston would put two runners on base with nobody out in the eighth. Tony Mansolino brought in Keegan Akin from the bullpen, who got the O’s out of the inning. He struck out two and induced a ground ball in the infield for a third out.
However he allowed a softly-hit bleeder into left field to start the ninth. He then allowed Rafaela to redeem himself with a two-run homer, which gave Boston the lead and a 3-2 win. This despite Coby Mayo’s epic at-bat on the ninth in an attempt to get on base.
Akin relied too heavily on his changeup in that eighth inning. The home run pitch was a changeup which stayed too far up. He had lived on the corners, so presumably he was aiming for the bottom of the zone. However that’s dangerous, as if you miss like Akin did…you see the result.
The series with Boston concludes tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. Cade Povich gets the start for the #Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Garrett Crochet. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 