Author Archives: Domenic Vadala

Welcome to Birdland Crush! Yes folks, for the record it's a spin off of the popular summer beverage native to the Mid-Atlantic Region - "orange crush." Nevertheless, I've been covering Orioles' baseball since 2009 in some capacity, and it's basically the greatest gig of all time so far as I'm concerned! But for those who aren't familiar with my work or bio, I'm familiar with pretty much every sport out there. But baseball is king - we all know that. So my hope is that you come back and check in after every Orioles' game, and throughout the off-season. I'm always on duty!

Baltimore Orioles: Too much replay?

Tyler Wells got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium against Toronto. Wells was one of several pitchers, only pitching one inning. Basically a get your work in and go home spring outing for Wells, against split-squad Toronto. Wells’ line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.

The Orioles struggled to get guys on base in this game, which is another issue. Especially given that Toronto was sending their B Team to Sarasota. Toronto’s Sanchez smacked an RBI-single in the third for the game’s lone run, and Toronto defeated the Orioles, 1-0.

That third inning was aided by two Toronto ball/strike replay challenges, and a pass ball, Early on the O’s didn’t challenge too many calls. But like Toronto, they were aggressive with challenges today. And there were several on both sides.

Obviously Toronto wouldn’t have scored that run if not for the challenges. But my question is are both teams and umpires now starting to rely on it too much? I say that because we see more and more challenges in the games.

I suspect that once the regular season begins teams will be a little more hesitant to challenge anything and everything. And to challenge pitches so early in games. And it’s far too simplistic to say the goal is to get the call right, and why not use technology to do it?

Fair enough. But are you comfortable with playoff games being decided with a tap on the helmet? Or heaven-forbid, a World Series?

I recognize the flip-side of that argument; are you okay with a World Series being decided on a bad call? So on that basis I’m not sure there’s a perfect answer. However teams are using the pitch challenge system early and often. We’ll see if that continues into the regular season.

Here’s another point. On a payoff pitch, conventional wisdom says a hitter should be aggressive – especially if the pitch is remotely near the strike zone. Might that change? Maybe it pays to start letting the pitch go, as they can just tap their helmet and potentially get the call overturned.

For the record, overall I like replay. I think it should exist in some form. I just think that by introducing the idea of challenging balls and strikes, we’re allowing the game to be further over-legislated.

Baltimore Orioles: Solid outing for Cade Povich in Birds’ win

The Baltimore Orioles gave Cade Povich the ball in this afternoon’s game against Minnesota at Ed Smith Stadium. He went deeper into the ballgame than even I thought he would pitch, being removed with two outs in the fourth. Povich’s line: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K.

The line run Povich surrendered was on an RBI-single by Wagaman in the first inning. That came as a result of a walk a stolen base, and a groundout. Remember, nothing good ever happens after a walk.

But that was the last time Povich had someone on base. He retired nine in a row following that run, and was lifted by manager Craig Albernaz with two outs recorded in the top of the fourth. Overall this was a great outing for Povich.

You can accept allowing a run in the first inning, unless you’re a perfectionist. But he shut down Minnesota bats after that. Small blip in the radar, and he then adjusted.

The game remained tied until the last of the sixth. Heston Kjerstad continued his outstanding spring with a two-run home run to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Kjerstad of course has struggled both in games and in terms of being injured for most of his career. So it’s good to see him raking this spring. Whether it lands him in the active roster remains to be seen.

One inning later however Minnesota tied it on an RBI-single by Outman. However it was another Oriole who’s had his struggles, who brought it home for the Birds. Different struggles, but still struggles. Coby Mayo’s RBI-double in the last of the seventh put the O’s in the lead, 3-2.

Grant Wolfram and Keegan Akin also had great outings today out of the bullpen. And remember, it’s all about looking crisp in these games. The O’s certainly did that.

The Orioles stay at Ed Smith Stadium tomorrow to welcome in AL East rival, Toronto. Tyler Wells gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Cody Ponce. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall to St. Louis

St. Louis came to Ed Smith Stadium this afternoon, with Chris Bassitt on the bump for the Baltimore Orioles. Bassitt of course was the Orioles’ big off season signing in pitching, and he had a semi-successful outing today in anticipation of the regular season. Bassitt’s line: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K.

The lone run that Bassitt surrendered actually crossed home plate after he exited. With runners at the corners in the top of the fourth, Walker grounded into an out, scoring the runner from third. The O’s would tie the game at one in the bottom of the inning on Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI-single.

Two RBI-singles by St. Louis in the fifth gave them a 5-1 lead. Velazquez would smack a solo home run in the sixth to extend that to 4-1 all this off the Oriole bullpen, who’s expected to be without and injured Andrew Kittredge at the start of the regular season. St. Louis would tack on a ninth run in the ninth inning on a GIDP, and a tenth on a wild pitch.

St. Louis would also drive in two in the seventh on a two-run homer by Baez. The Orioles didn’t get much going in the way of offense today, but you have to keep in mind that it’s only spring training. There’s no game plan per se. But the Birds did tack one back on before it ended. Willy Vasquez’s RBI-double cut the final to 10-2.

The O’s have a split squad day tomorrow with most of the regulars taking on Minnesota at Ed Smith Stadium. Cade Povich gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Mick Abel. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Comeback win on Chris Bassitt’s debut

Chris Bassitt made his spring debut for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon at Jet Blue Park in Ft. Myers as the Birds traveled to take on the BoSox. Not an awful first start, as Bassitt pitched into the third inning. Bassitt’s line: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Bassist gave up a double and then an RBI-single to Durbin in the first inning. He walked a runner in the third, who came around to score following Bassitt’s departure, on three-run homer by Contreras. Sandwhiches around that was a Heston Kjerstad RBI-double in the second.

Boston would load the bases later in the third, and Castro’s two-RBI single would extend the lead to 6-1. It appeared the rout was on on this Sunday at Fenway South. But the O’s chipped away.

With one out in the fifth Enrique Bradley Jr. bunted for a base hit, and Boston proceeded to commit a two-base error. Part of that was an errant throw in an attempt to get Bradley at first base. But after that it was Bradley’s speed in getting to third base. Bradley would score on Colton Cowser’s run-scoring groundout.

Following a walk and a double, Samuel Basallo would smack a ground rule two-RBI double, and the O’s had cut the Boston lead to 6-4. Heston Kjerstad’s subsequent RBI-single would cut it further to 6-5.

Boston would rack what they was almost an insurance run on in the fifth on an errant throw by Basallo in the fifth. But that’s awful early to add an “insurance run.” And true to form, the Orioles loaded the bases in the next inning and tied the game on back-to-back walks. Jud Fabian’s RBI-groundout later in the inning gave them an 8-7 lead.

The big story was Chris Bassitt’s outing. But don’t displace Heston Kjerstad’s game. He’s quietly having a very good camp. It’ll be interesting to see if he can play his way onto the roster. Needless to say, he could use a good break going his way.

Baltimore Orioles fall on late Atlanta power

If you noticed that Kyle Bradish pitched three innings for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon against Atlanta, you get a prize! Figuratively, that is. Point being, he pitched one additional inning than he did the first time out. Bradish’s line: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

Bradish sent Atlanta down 1-2-3 in the first, striking out the side. However he allowed two hits in the second, and an RBI-single by Tromp (former Oriole). Atlanta would proceed to put one more on the board in the second inning at Ed Smith Stadium on a subsequent RBI-so glue by English.

The issue in that inning seemed to be similar with what we saw with this team all season in 2025 (and previously). There wasn’t one hard-hit ball in that inning. The run-scoring hits were both flares, with English’s being just out of the reach of Pete Alonso at first base.

I chronicled this a lot last year – and before. It seemed to happen a decent amount. My personal opinion was that the Orioles played their outfield too deep, presumably for analytics reasons. Neither of those plays were affected by that element. However needless to say, Atlanta plated two runs in semi-cheap fashion – without hitting the ball hard.

Adley Rutschman had a great day at the plate. He made solid contact in the last of the second and stroked a double to center. He would later score on a sac fly-RBI by Coby Mayo (following a single by Ryan Mountcastle). Rutschman would come back up in the fourth and smack a solo homer to tie the game at two. Solid contact, both times.

The Orioles brought Yennier Cano into the game for the sixth. Following a base hit and the runner being sacrificed to second, Cano was called for a balk, sending the runner to third. Like most pitchers being called for a balk, Cano seemed unclear as to what he had done wrong. Replays were inconclusive – which again is often a staple of balk calls.

One way or the other that left the runner at third base with less than two outs. Tromp would come back to bat, and his RBI-groundout gave Atlanta their lead back at 3-2. Atlanta would cement their victory in today’s game with back-to-back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning. Not exactly how you want to finish the game, but it’s fair to point out that all three homers were on pitches up in the zone. As they say, if it’s high let it fly.

Atlanta would tack on an additional run on Lowdise’s RBI-double in the ninth. But speaking of if it’s high let it fly, the Birds did just that also. Vance Honeycutt smacked a two-run home run in the ninth to cut the lead to 7-4. Sam Huff came to the plate in the immediate aftermath and smacked a solo shot of his own, giving the O’s back-to-back homers. They fell on this day to Atlanta however, 7-5.

The takeaway today should be Bradish and Rutschman. Bradish may have surrendered two runs, but as I said they came off of softly hit balls – including the guys who came around to score. There’s nothing you can do about that. You can’t plan for it and you can’t really defend against it. At least in the infield.

Other than that, Bradish was strong. Rutschman had two solid contact at-bats. One was a double (and he later came around to score) and the other a home run. If you’re looking for bright spots, those are two big ones.

Manager Craig Albernaz told the media before the game that he expects Samuel Basallo to return to the lineup tomorrow in Ft. Myers against Boston. Basallo of course was injured in Thursday’s game. The Orioles took a wait and see approach, but luckily the worst seems to have been averted.

Tomorrow the Orioles head to Jet Blue Park in Ft. Myers to take on the Boston Red Sox. Chris Bassitt makes his spring debut and gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Ranger Suarez. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall in Bradenton

Shane Baz took to the bump this afternoon for the Baltimore Orioles in Bradenton against Pittsburgh. Solid outing overall for Baz, who’s expected to be a part of the rotation. Baz’s line: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

You could do without the two walks. But the four strikeouts were promising. The Orioles are hoping that Baz solidifies the rotation, at least a bit more solid than it was last year.

The game was scoreless until the sixth when Bryan Ramos of the Orioles smacked an RBI-single to give the O’s a 1-0 lead. That run wasn’t in the form of Adley Rutschman, as he had subbed out. But it was a Rutschman walk which led to that run coming across.

However it was also walks which plagued the Orioles in that sixth inning. Wendzel’s RBI-single after two walks tied the game at one. Between challenges, stolen bases, and pushing the issue, Pittsburgh got very aggressive in the last of the seventh. They put two additional runs across, giving them a 3-1 lead.

But it didn’t end there. Pittsburgh extended its lead to 6-1 with station-to-station hitting, and tough running. I found it interesting that they challenged every call that they could – and it worked. They left no stone unturned. Which is how you win games.

The Orioles return to Ed Smith Stadium tomorrow to take on Atlanta. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Atlanta’s Spencer Strider. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Pete Alonso making his presence felt

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.

Baltimore Orioles: Beware of the big inning

Dean Kremer made his maiden spring voyage this afternoon against Pittsburgh at Ed Smith Stadium. Interesting outing; Kremer surrendered two runs, but didn’t give up a hit. Kremer’s line: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 K.

Kremer sent Pittsburgh down 1-2-3 in the first. However he surrendered three walks to lead off the second inning, and you know what comes next. Nothing good ever happens after a walk – much less three. Yorke grounded into a force out, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead. Rodriguez would do the same, and the O’s trailed 2-0.

These spring games are as much about fundamentals as anything else. They certainly aren’t about wins and losses! That second force out was a comebacker to Kremer. He hesitated ever so slightly in throwing the ball to second base; did that cause him to make a throwing that was slightly “off?” Tough to say. But the throw was slightly “off,” perhaps preventing a double-play. You can’t give away outs.

The Orioles would get on the board in the last of the second when Dylan Beavers grounded into a double-play with runners at the corners. But that was the only run that they would put across in the at-bat. In a game that didn’t count.

The O’s brought in Dietrich Enns in the fourth. Remember how every pitching analyst in history says stay out of the big inning? Enns didn’t take that advice this afternoon. Following a walk, he surrendered a two-run homer to Rodriguez, extending Pittsburgh’s lead to 4-1. Two singles later runners were at the corners, and Pittsburgh attempted a steal of second. Adley Rutschman committed a throwing error, allowing a run to score.

Following another walk, former Oriole fan favorite Ryan O’Hearn came up to bat. O’Hearn specifically requested to be on the trip for Pittsburgh, as he valued his time with the Orioles so much. To his credit, he took full advantage, sending an Enns pitch into the stands for a three-run home run and extending the Pittsburgh lead to 8-1.

However we also saw the beauty and majesty of baseball in that moment. When he came up for his first at-bat, O’Hearn was giving a standing ovation by Orioles fans at Ed Smith Stadium. He acknowledged the crowd and went about his business. While rounding the bases on that home run, Orioles fans also applauded; O’Hearn again acknowledged the crowd while rounding the bases.

O’Hearn anappreciated the fans while an Oriole. It showed today – on both sides. He showed a lot of class in that moment, as did the Orioles fans.

The O’s would get one back in the last of the fifth on an errant pickoff attempt, but the damage was done. Remember folks, the results aren’t important in these games. It’s things like Kremer hesitating in the moment as I mentioned above which need to be worked out. And they will be.

The Orioles head out on the road for the first time this spring tomorrow to take on Detroit at Joker Merchant Stadium. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Detroit’s Jack Flaherty. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Pete Alonso for the win!

Opening Day of Spring Training came today for the Baltimore Orioles. Trevor Rogers was on the mound, and was all but flawless. Okay, he gave up one base hit in two innings. But other than that he looked good. Rogers’ line: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.

I’ll only say this seven or eight more times over the next week or so. But keep in mind that hitters are roughly 5-7 days behind pitchers and catchers. So it isn’t shocking to see low-scoring spring games. Especially in early spring.

One important aspect of today’s game was prior to it – Mike Elias told the media that Jordan Westburg had a partially torn UCL, and would miss at the very least the first month of the season. I suspect more. He’s undergoing therapy, and the Orioles are hopeful of a positive prognosis.

So injuries are once again leading the day. It’s unclear how this injury occurred, but one way or the other it occurred. And the Orioles are now taxed with finding a replacement, at least temporarily.

That replacement could be Coby Mayo in the interim. The youngster went 0-for-2 today, but looked good in the field at the hot corner. Needless to say that could be the biggest early camp storyline for the O’s.

Filling in for Jackson Holliday at second was Jeremiah Jackson, who looks better and better as an acquisition. He led off the sixth with a base hit, and later scored the Orioles’ first run in camp on a two-run home run by Pete Alonso. The Orioles’ biggest offseason acquisition in years made his first bang. And led to a 2-0 Orioles’ win on Grapefruit League Opening Day.

The Orioles remain in Sarasota tomorrow as Pittsburgh rides into Ed Smith Stadium. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Pittsburgh’s Wilber Dotel. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Jordan Westburg’s status up in the air

2026 is already not being kind to the Baltimore Orioles in terms of injuries. Jackson Holliday broke a bone in his wrist – and might miss a couple of weeks. Then there’s Jordan Westburg…

All the Orioles are publicly saying is that he has a strained oblique. However as this week has gone on rumors have swirled that he would be missing more time, and might be facing surgery. Manager Craig Albernaz on Westburg (quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports):

Right now, he’s physically unable to participate right now. So he’s getting evaluated by a medical team and also outside people to make sure we have a plan in place and see what’s going on with Jordan and get him going.

That’s obviously a quote that’s fairly ominous among other things. It’s purposely vague. Will this be yet another year where the O’s struggle with injuries?

In a later comment Alberbaz also used the term play “this year” with regard to Westburg. Hopefully that’s truly the case. The Orioles were a much better team last year when Westburg was in the lineup. Time will tell.

The Orioles also open Florida Grapefruit League play this afternoon when AL East rival New York visits Ed Smith Stadium. Trevor Rogers gets the start for the O’s, and New York is yet to announce a starter. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.