Behind starter Trey Gibson, the Baltimore Orioles defeated Tampa this evening at Camden Yards. In doing so, they completed the three-game sweep…this against the team who swept and embarrassed them last week in Tampa. This behind an outstanding starting effort. Gibson’s line: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 1 K.
In the wake of that ill-fated and aforementioned series in Tampa last week, the Orioles started to right a few things over the weekend, a trend that continued and enhanced itself in the Tampa series this week. However Oriole bats exploded in this game tonight, hopefully in an attempt to right the ship…hopefully.
The Orioles started early and often. Gunnar Henderson smacked a two-run homer in the first, followed by an RBI-single by Leody Taveras. Before the crowd had seemingly settled in, the Birds led 3-0.
But the inning didn’t end there. Blaze Alexander’s two-RBI single extended it to 5-0. The onslaught continued in the third on an RBI-single by Tyler O’Neill. Two innings later, the score was broken wide open on a two-RBI double by Blaze Alexander. The most promising part of that? It was set up by Leody Taveras stealing second base. Taveras had been a pest to opposing teams on the base paths all year.
Tampa would scratch a rub across in the top of the sixth when Vilade grounded into a force out with a runner on third. BUT…the Birds weren’t done. Gunnar Henderson smacked a solo homer in bottom of the inning to extend the lead to 9-1.
To put Blaze Alexander’s night in perspective, he came back in the last of the seventh with a two-run homer. A two-run home run which was a SHOT off the bat. The extended the lead to 11-1, and the rout was on.
The one downer was Yennier Cano. He promptly loaded the bases in the top of the eighth with nobody out. However he also pulled up lane with an apparent leg injury. It’ll be interesting to see what Craig Albernaz says after the game, however Cano left the game. Which could be a concern going forward for the O’s.
Andrew Kitteredge did allow an inherited runner to score with a HBP with the bases loaded. But he ended the inning. And the Orioles put an exclamation point on the series.
You CANNOT get too excited about sweeping Tampa. However this Tampa team embarrassed the Birds last week. So turnabout is fair play. And ultimately, it’s a series sweep against a division foe.
Blaze Alexander also had a career-high six RBI tonight. Needless to say, the offense clicked in this series. Not to mention, they need to keep the party going both offensively and defensively from here.
The O’s now open a four-game set against Toronto at Camden Yards tomorrow night. Chris Bassit gets the start for the O’s (against his former team), and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Patrick Corbin. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 