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 send Adley Rutschman to Boston

Adley Rutschman was the Baltimore Orioles first round pick in 2019. Not only that, he was the first overall pick in the draft. He was a 1:1.

Today President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias traded Rutschman to division rival Boston. Rutschman is a free agent after 2027, and he’s currently on the IL with a wrist injury. In return for Rutschman, the Orioles are reportedly getting RHP Anthony Eyanson, OF Endy Azocar, RHP Kyson Witherspoon, C Carlos Narvaez, and a player to be named later. Eyanson and Witherspoon are the #2 and #3 prospects in Boston’s system.

Whether that’s a legitimate haul for Rutschman remains to be seen. Perhaps some of that depth was even warranted in the Orioles’ farm system. What IS factual is that six of the eight deadlines in the current Elias regime have been sales.

On top of that, this goes well against the grain of baseball logic. While the O’s got some decent players back, traditionally you don’t trade within your division. Many will say that’s a good thing. While my view is irrelevant, again I’ll just reiterate that regular logic goes against this.

It’s also worth mentioning that the O’s are still 2.5 games back in the playoff race. Adley Rutschman is a franchise sort of player who’s now going to be that for a division rival. There does appear to be something wrong with that picture. But that’s the reality of the situation.

It’s entirely possible that Mike Elias is comfortable with the Orioles continuing their postseason push without the likes of Rutschman, Taylor Ward, and Dean Kremer. It could be that he’s comfortable with those players being on teams who are directly competing with the Orioles. But needless to say, the moves are curious.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Orioles locked C Samuel Basallo into a longterm deal last year. So while Basallo’s injured also for now, there’s no question mark at the catcher position for the foreseeable future. But again, usually you don’t help out your division rivals.

Baltimore Orioles send Taylor Ward to Seattle

The Baltimore Orioles have traded Og Taylor Ward to Seattle. With the MLB Teade Deadline set for 6 PM this evening, Ward appears on the move. Neither side has confirmed the deal.

In return, the O’s appear poised to receive RHP’s Alex Hoppe, Brock Moore and Harrison Kreiling. All three appear to be high leverage relievers. Perhaps they can be stretched out. Time will tell.

Despite an unfortunate turn of events over the weekend against Philadelphia, the Orioles are 2.5 games out of a playoff spot. In Seattle and Minnesota, they’ve now traded with two teams with whom they’re competing for that spot. I find that odd. But perhaps I’m outdated in my thinking. In my world you never make someone who’s a threat to you better.

Baltimore Orioles: Nothing good happens after a walk – or after bad challenges

You can’t pitch better than Shane Baz did tonight for the Baltimore Orioles. Sadly tonight’s game against Philadelphia was also par for the course, as the Orioles don’t seem to score runs in games when Baz pitches. Beginning and ending with tonight – where they put up zero. Baz’s line: 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Philadelphia’s starter Sanchez matched Baz. Both were outstanding. The Orioles lost a challenge in the third inning, on a pitch that was outside the strike zone by over an inch and a half. In the moment however it was a non-issue because Baz got out of the inning. In the moment being a key phrase there.

Philadelphia would take a 1-0 lead in the fifth on an RBI-single by De La Cruz. This with two outs in the inning, and on the heels of a walk. The only walk of the game that Baz issued. Which was followed by the only run of the game that he allowed.

Remember that bit above about that missed challenge not hurting the Orioles in the moment? It began to hurt them in the seventh when Taylor Ward missed their second and final challenge of the game. On a pitch that was clearly a strike. Putting them out of challenges for the game.

I fundamentally disagree with computers calling balls and strikes. But the system is what it is; the O’s haven’t been good with challenges this year – either offensively or defensively. They either challenge the wrong pitches or let bad calls go unchecked. Or, they shoot their wad early and often.

With Philadelphia still leading 1-0 in the top of the eight, Schwarber walked on a full count with one out. Ball four was CLEARLY in the strike zone to the naked eye. A fact that was backed up by pitch track. But the Orioles couldn’t challenge. Grant Wolfram tapped his hat, but the Birds were out of challenges. Everyone in the ballpark knew thatwas strike three. But it went as ball four.

Following a second walk and a wild pitch, Bohm’s RBI-single extended the lead to 2-0. After Bohm’s RBI-single it was 3-0. Crawford would tack on a two-RBI single later in the game, extending the lead to 5-0. Most of the runs in that sequence came off of walks…

…and nothing good happens after a walk. Walks may only equal one base, but they’re runners on base. Philadelphia took advantage of their opportunities once those runners got on. Meanwhile the Orioles were 0-for-3 with RISP. You can’t win games like that.

You also can’t win games by challenging pitches that you have no business challenging, leading to you being out of challenges. Again, that system isn’t something in which I believe. But it’s there, and you have to utilize it correctly. When the Orioles were faced with a pitch that was an OBVIOUS strike three, they couldn’t enforce it.

It’s easy enough to say that it’s nobody’s fault but their own that they allowed the inning to balloon after that. AND that they couldn’t put a run on the board, losing 5-0. And that’s true. However does nobody on and two outs not sound better than one on and one out? Do we think that inning still balloons the way it did if that’s a strike three instead of a ball four? And make no mistake, IT WAS a strike three.

The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles trade Dean Kremer to Minnesota

Word on the street is that the Baltimore Orioles traded starter Dean Kremer to Minnesota shortly after last night’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia. Again word on the street is that in return they’re receiving Jhomnardo Reyes, a single-A outfielder. Neither the Orioles or Minnesota have announced the trade.

Kremer heads to Minnesota with a 6.50 ERA on the season. (It ballooned to that level after his most recent starts in Boston and Detroit.) For his part, Reyes was Minnesota’s 12th prospect in their organization. He also bats from the left side.

The Orioles are a game-and-a-half back from the final Wild Card Spot. So they aren’t selling – per se. This is a curious move to me, especially given the fact that the team currently in the final Wild Card spot is…Minnesota. The trade deadline is Monday, which is an off day for the Orioles. Does this foreshadow the addition of another pitcher?

Kremer was slated to start on Tuesday, so the O’s will need a starter for that game against Anaheim. They could also skip the start, given the off day. The Orioles also head to Minnesota in just over two weeks. Needless to say, best wishes to Dean Kremer.

Baltimore Orioles: Brotherly “Gun”

Brandon Young pitched well for the Baltimore Orioles tonight. Wellish. He had his struggles, but also his share of misfortune. Young’s line: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

Young gave up an infield single and a walk to lead off the game. And the infield single was a good pitch – Turner just hit it soft enough to be an infield hit. Harper’s RBI-single would give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead. An RBI-single hit the opposite way.

Later in the inning Marsh’s RBI-groundout would extend the lead to 2-0. But keep in mind that the O’s had to come to bat as well – nine times at that. Dylan Beavers would lead off the game with a double, and after a wild pitch that sent him to third, Pete Alonso would tie the game at two with a two-run home run.

Oriole bats couldn’t get much going after that. Philadelphia’s starter (Painter) settled in and shut them down. Philadelphia on the other hand took their lead back at 4-2 thanks to two solo homers. One by Turner in the third, and one by Realmuto in the sixth.

Solo home runs aren’t supposed to hurt you. But they almost hurt the O’s. After Painter left the game, things started to shift. The Orioles had runners at first and second with one pitch in the seventh. Christian Encarnacion-Strand sent a deep liner to the gap in center, which fell as a two-RBI double which immediately tied the game. Talk about a guy who’s been dialed in of late!

But that only set the tone. After Pete Alonso was hit by a pitch the Birds had runners at the corners, needing one to take a lead against a good Philadelphia team. Gunnar Henderson strode to the plate. Gunnar Henderson who’s struggled all season.

You could see in his eyes he wanted this. He wanted to play the hero at least once. And boy did he. He would eventually smack a two-RBI triple, and the Orioles led, 6-4. Gunnar was noticeably animated after sliding in safely. He knew what he had done. And it felt good.

The Oriole pen shut down Philadelphia 1-2-3 in both the eighth and ninth. The eighth inning belonged to Yennier Cano, who of course signed a two-year contract extension before the game. And he earned every penny in that eighth inning.

This is the Orioles’ second consecutive game where they’ve come from behind. Granted, this one wasn’t as dramatic as the other day in Detroit. But it shows a never say die attitude. And at least today, it came off the bat of a player in Gunnar Henderson who had been hoping for such a moment all year.

The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Shane Baz gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Detroit swung, the O’s didn’t

Dean Kremer was unable to muster any sort of momentum for the Baltimore Orioles tonight in Detroit. Nor was anyone else who pitched in the game. Neither in the game or in the wake of last night’s win. Which ended up being a big deal, given tonight’s result. Kremer’s line: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 3 BB, 4 K.

In short, Detroit hitters were swinging away at will against Kremer and everyone else the Orioles threw up there. The Orioles almost assumed their outs were fait accompli. An opponent hellbent on winning and a passive approach at the plate on your part rarely ends well.

Keith’s two-RBI triple in the first was really all Detroit needed. Their pitching shut down Oriole hitting. However Kremer also couldn’t find the strike zone. He lived on the fringes, as did every other Oriole pitcher. One inning later Valencia’s solo homer, combined with Torres’ two-RBI double extended the lead to 5-0.

Kremer should have been pulled there. But he went back out. Before the fourth inning was over, Detroit led 8-0. The big play in that? A two-run homer by Torres. On a cutter that stayed up.

At times it almost looked like Detroit knew what was coming. And I don’t say that in an effort to say a team was stealing signs. I say that in the context that I think the Orioles have tipped pitches (accidentally, of course) for some time, and that they need to figure out what they’re doing to in effect tell other teams what they’re doing.

None of that explains the Orioles’ passive approach at the plate tonight. They tallied three hits in the game. You can’t win games with that sort of output. In short, guys are guessing where pitches are going to be. And they’re guessing wrong.

Detroit really wasn’t in the mood to stop, when the smoke cleared it was a 14-0 final. To be clear, the final two runs came on a two-run home run by Valencia in the eighth inning. Off of Chadwick Tromp.

Which is equally baffling. I’m not sure whose idea it was to have a catcher be the position player to pitch in a blowout, but it’s a curious choice. Needless to say. Granted, it could also mean that a roster move is forthcoming, involving Tromp.

This is a game you have to just forget about. YES, they have to figure out if someone’s tipping pitches, and then how to stop it. However that’s been true for two years. But you have to forget about it and move onto tomorrow.

The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at Comerica Park. Trevor Rogers gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Detroit’s Tarik Skubal. Game time is set for just after 1 PM,

Baltimore Orioles: A win for “Rocky J. Squirrel!”

The Baltimore Orioles found themselves sending Kyle Bradish to the mound in this evening’s series opener in Frostbite Falls – Detroit, that is. Bradish wasn’t at his best, although he never trailed in the game. Bradish’s line: 4.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

As the game began and our hero’s settled in, the O’s took an early lead. Taylor Ward’s first inning RBI-groundout gave them an early 1-0 lead. Jeremiah Jackson’s RBI-groundout an inning later, followed by Dylan Beavers’ RBI-single. And the O’s led 3-0.

Detroit’s McKinstry would lead off the home half of the second with a triple. The ball bounced in front of Leody Taveras, and the run later scored on on Lee’s sac fly-RBI. Needless to say, that’s about as good of an outcome as you could have hoped for.

But the O’s would get that run back on Coby Mayo’s RBI-single in the third. Detroit would net two in the fourth, cutting the lead to 4-3. It was almost like the game was hanging in the balance.

But the O’s were having none of a comeback for Detroit. Like Rocky & Bullwinkle shut down Boris & Natasha however, the Birds put a stop to Detroit’s aspirations of winning today. Leody Taveras’ solo home run in the fifth, followed by a two-run homer by Coby Mayo. However Detroit would put two back on the board in the fifth, et the O’s managed to hold the lead at 7-5.

Of all people, it was Tyler O’Neill who put the exclamation point on the night. His solo home run in the seventh extended the lead to 8-5. But the game for once wasn’t the entertainment.

That fell to the black squirrel who worked its way onto the field. That squirrel had to have touched every blade of grass on the field. Not to mention running on the infield dirt. Hoke plate umpire Bill Miller had the Detroit grounds crew (with an assist from Leody Taveras) remove the squirrel during a time out, Miller then got on the mic and personally thanked the grounds crew. Crazy; the squirrel was later removed.

The series continues tomorrow night at Comerica Park. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Detroit’s Troy Melcom. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles missing Rutschman and Basallo

Shane Baz started out in a promising way for the Baltimore Orioles in the series finale against Atlanta today. He was fairly economical – at first. But Atlanta wore him down early. Baz’s line: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 earned), 2 BB, 2 K.

Baz threw more of a mix than only knuckle curves and four-seam fastballs. That goes without saying. But apparently the order came down today that Baz was to throw predominantly knuckle curveballs and four-seam fastballs.

To be fair, Atlanta hitters weren’t exactly getting to them. But when you throw only a mix of two pitches predominantly, the opponent takes notice. Atlanta in essence piecemealed their way into tiring Baz out. They fouled off pitch after pitch, driving up Baz’s pitch count.

Harris led off the second inning with a first pitch single off of a Baz four-seamer. However Colton Cowser bobbled the ball in center field, allowing the runner to take second on an error. Harris would take third on a groundout, and score on a run-scoring single by Smith.

Interestingly, the Orioles let just about every pitch go by. They were out of ABS challenges after the third inning, which is a huge problem. And the two pitches that they challenged weren’t even close. It’s good that they seem to have broken out of the habit of not using challenges at all. But be smart with your challenges.

With two outs and a runner on third in the top of the fourth, Smith sent a line drive to left. Dylan Beavers laid out, but he trapped the ball and a run scored. I’ve said for several years that the O’s play their outfield too deep. Smiths knock wasn’t shallow and it wasn’t soft per se. But had Beavers been positioned slightly more shallow (ever so slightly), that’s an out and the inning’s over. Instead it’s a run.

The most curious thing to me was the pitch selection when Baz was in the game, and the approach at the plate. If I’m the person who’s calling pitches, it stands to reason that relying on two pitches isn’t going to cut it. That said, two runs is hardly a problem. However as I said, Atlanta wore down Baz fouling off pitch after pitch. At a certain point you have to mix it up.

Consequently, the Orioles let several hittable pitches just go by. This AFTER having burned their ABS challenges. Interesting strategy. And it didn’t work. Hitting coaches, and whomever is calling pitches on defense should take note.

All of that is still true. However Pete Alonso’s solo home run in the eighth cut the lead to 2-1. Come the last of the ninth the O’s had one on and one out. Leody Taveras bounced into what should have been a game-ending double-play. However the ball rolled through the second baseman’s legs, and the O’s had life.

Jackson Holliday grounded out, scoring the runner from third, and tying the game. As listless as the Orioles looked through seven innings, they turned it on at the right time. The O’s loaded the bases with nobody out in the tenth. But…

…things went sideways quick. Gunnar Henderson smacked a liner earmarked for right field, but before it could get there it was snagged by Olson at first base. He was also able to double up Pete Alonso at first base. That left two outs, and the inning ended with Taylor Ward popping out.

The Orioles challenged the double-play. It was close; predictably, the call stood. One of those not enough evidence to overturn the call on the field deals. The runner was probably safe. They just couldn’t prove it with video.

Riley’s run-scoring double in the 11th gave Atlanta a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the frame the O’s had runners at the corners with two outs. And Atlanta opted to walk Jackson Holliday to get to Sam Huff, who grounded out to end the game.

That’s where having BOTH Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo on the IL hurts. Not just one catcher, but BOTH. Either could be a full-time catcher on another team. Either could be a perennial all-star. BOTH are hurt. Which is insane.

The Henderson at-bat in the tenth was tan awful one. That should have snuck through. Olson made a great play, and got some luck. Gunnar got none (luck, that is).

The O’s now head to Detroit to open up a three-game series at Comerica Park. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Detroit’s Keider Montero. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Leave it to Beavers

You can’t say enough about Brandon Young for the Baltimore Orioles. I would go so far as to say that he should at least be in the running for the Most Valuable Orioles award this year. Needless to say, he provided the Birds with a quality start tonight when they needed one against Atlanta – this after a tough loss last night. Young’s line: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K.

Sadly for Young, Atlanta’s Elder was equally as good against the Birds tonight. Good pitching always shuts down good hitting. Both sides ran up against good pitching tonight.

Pete Alonso reached on a fielding error by Atlanta’s Jarvis in the third. He would later score on Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s run-scoring single to give the O’s a 1-0 lead. Encarnacion-Strand has made quite an impression with the O’s thus far, especially being a replacement due to injury. Needless to say, he’s made an impact this week alone.

Gunnar Henderson’s solo home run in the last of the fifth extended the lead to 2-0. It was his first home run in two weeks. Atlanta would get back on an RBI-groundout in the sixth, but Young limited the damage and got out of the inning.

Well after Young had departed with his quality start however, the Orioles lost the lead – non decisioning Young. Rico Garcia threw a solo home run to Albies in the top of the eighth, tying the game at two. The sad thing is that the last of the seventh had been extended due to Atlanta errors – and the O’s couldn’t take advantage. You have to take advantage when opponents give you an opportunity if you want to go places in this league.

Luckily however, it didn’t hurt the Birds. In the last of the ninth Jackson Holliday smacked a one-out double, and moved to third on Colton Cowser’s sacrifice fly. And make no mistake, Cowser was swinging for the fences. But it was a good team at-bat in that he got the runner to third.

That brought Dylan Beavers to the plate, with two outs. The O’s had a runner at third, and needed one run to win. And Beavers delivered. His RBI-single to right field drove in Holliday, and gave the O’s a 3-2 win.

That ninth inning symbolized what the concept of TEAM should be. Cowser was a pinch-hitter, and while he didn’t get the result he wanted, he did get the runner to third. And that made a difference. Coming off of a bad loss last night, this was a huge win for the Birds.

The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. Shane Baz gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Atlanta’s Reynaldo Lopez. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: First inning halts Boston’s win streak

In his first start since signing a contract extension over the weekend, Kyle Bradish was charged with throwing a quality start for the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway. This in hopes of salvaging one of three, splitting the doubleheader, and of course halting Boston’s 15-game winning streak – which tied a franchise-record. And he did all of that. Bradish’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Earlier in the day the O’s put Samuel Basallo on the IL. This after sending Adley Rutschman to the IL earlier in the week. The Orioles are now down both star catchers. And they could be without Tyler O’Neill, who was lifted from the game after wincing as he rounded first base on a base hit. The injury bug goes on.

Boston had to sue a spot starter for the game, and the Orioles didn’t allow him out of the first inning. With two outs in the first inning and Dylan Beavers at the plate, the pitcher Rivera uncorked a wild pitch scoring Pete Alonso.

Beavers immediately smacked a two-run single, and the O’s led 3-0 early on. But not for long – later in the inning Jonathan Rodriguez’s RBI-double extended the lead to 4-0. Boston lifted Rivera with two outs in the first inning.

That broke the game wide open early. Boston obviously had plenty of time to come back, however Bradish and later the bullpen wasn’t going to allow that. Bradish allowed an RBI-single to Yoshida in the fourth, but other than that Bradish shut Boston bats down.

No lead is safe at Fenway. But especially when Boston had won fifteen straight, and was going for sixteen. Again, that would have been a Boston Red Sox team record. This of course had it happened.

But it didn’t. While the Fenway Faithful tried to rally their team, the Oriole bullpen wasn’t having none of it. They sent down hitter after hitter. In the mean time the O’s got an insurance run, this on another wild pitch on the seventh which scored Gunnar Henderson. Yennier Cano held things over into the ninth, and the ball went to Tyler Wells, who shut Boston down.

It’s tough to drop two-of-three, however the O’s did go 4-2 on the road trip. Had Rutschman or Basallo been in the lineup, could the O’s have won one of those other two games? Probably. But end of the day, the Orioles are one game up in the win column than they were when the roadtrip began.