Kyle Bradish got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon in Lakeland, FL against Detroit. He was solid in the first inning, but somewhat shaky in the second. Bradish’s line: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K.
Bradish had the lead before he even took the mound. Heston Kjerstad’s solo homer in the top of the first gave the Birds a 1-0 lead. It was a great moment for “The Silent J,” who struggled with injuries last year. On this day however, he made solid contact early and hit the ball over the wall. Later in the inning Reed Trimble’s RBI-single extended the lead to 2-0.
Bradish would load the bases in the second, and Detroit would tie it on an RBI-single by Anderson. But as the game wound into the third inning, the Orioles’ biggest off season acquisition introduced himself to Detroit fans in Lakeland. Pete Alonso smacked a solo homer, giving the Orioles a 3-2 lead.
The fact that Alonso was in the lineup today is noteworthy. He wants at-bats – as many as he can get. It’s that sort of leadership that he’s bringing to the O’s, and it’s not something that’s tangible on the stats sheet. Usually most veterans stay back on road trips – especially early in camp. Alonso wanted to be in the lineup. And he made an impact.
Detroit would tie the game in the bottom of the inning on a Slater solo homer – which appeared to be wind-aided. But the Orioles set themselves up for what they hoped at the time to be victory an inning later. With two on Jose Barrero sent a double into left field. It was about to be a two-run double, but Jeremiah Jackson was thrown out at home plate after the first run scored.
The Orioles took that one-run lead into the last of the ninth. A walk and a wild pitch by Andrew Magno advanced the tying run into scoring position with one out. Briceno sent what should have been a routine fly ball to center. Enrique Bradfield Jr. dropped the ball – after making the catch.
The runner tagged to go to third, but only after the out was recorded. He would later score on Clark’s RBI-single. Even had the runner stayed at second when Bradfield muffed the ball, that run might have scored. But it scored one way or the other – and the game ended in a 4-4 tie, with the teams deciding not to go to extras.
The Orioles return to Sarasota tomorrow to welcome Atlanta into Ed Smith Stadium, Cade Povich gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Atlanta’s Garrett Baumann. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 