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 outlast Miami, lifted late by Anthony Santander

Kyle Gibson didn’t exactly appear like himself this evening for the Baltimore Orioles. He gave up several fluke runs in the second inning, putting the Birds behind Miami. However make no mistake that he was able to buckle down and pitch into the middle innings, perhaps saving a bullpen reliever. And those things make a difference in a long season. Gibson’s line: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 1 BB.

Gibson retired the side in the first on six pitches. However he started running into trouble in the second. Three consecutive singles gave Miami a 1-0 lead. The worst part? Two of them were infield singles. And all three were softly hit balls.

Wendle’s RBI-single would extend the lead to 2-0. Before the inning ended the O’s trailed 4-0. There was a very teachable moment in that midst, however. With two on and one out Jordan Westburg fielded a grounder and tried to throw the rubber out at home plate. The throw was up the first base line, and it went as an infield RBI-single.

That’s a play where you want to take the out they’re giving you. That being at first base. Forget the run; take the out. Rookie mistake, but again a teachable moment for Westburg.

But first impressions can be deceiving – the first impression being the first two innings. This wasn’t going to be Miami’s day. Cedric Mullins’ RBI-single in the last of the second got the O’s on the board, cutting Miami’s lead to 4-1. On a side note, Mullins was later lifted from the game in favor of Colton Cowser with right quad tenderness. Something to watch; obviously the hope is that Mullins doesn’t make a return trip to the IL.

Later in the inning Jorge Mateo’s two-RBI triple cut the lead to 4-3. (Originally Mateo was called out at third, but the Orioles challenged and the call was reversed.) Miami would actually extend their lead in the fourth on a sac fly-RBI. But again, this just wasn’t their day.

Anthony Santander’s RBI-single in the last of the fifth cut the lead to 5-4. That foreshadowed what would happen later – so make a mental note! Two innings later the Birds would tie the game on a mammoth home run by Gunnar Henderson, which landed on the flag court. Which got Gibson off the hook for the loss, for the record.

With two runners on in the last of the eight, Anthony Santander came to the plate. And he smacked an RBI-single, giving the Birds their first lead of the game. Felix Bautista would close things out in the ninth, and the Orioles had their 33rd comeback win of the season.

I mentioned Gibson being off the hook for the loss. His teammates found a way to pick him up tonight when he didn’t have his best stuff. That’s what the concept of “team” is all about. When you have a bad day, your teammates have your back. And next time out maybe it’s Gibson lifting up a teammate who committed an unfortunate error or something along those lines. Again, that’s what being a team is all about.

The series concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and Miami is yet to announce a starter. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles blast off second half on Adam Frazier’s bat

Dean Kremer and the Baltimore Orioles picked up right where they left off in the first half last night. The O’s began the second half with a quality start from a starter, which is what we came to expect from Kremer in the first half. In other words, not much has changed! Kremer’s line: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K.

However the story of the game was Adam Frazier. He’s taken criticism throughout the first half, some of it justified. but he busted out in this game against Miami, playing a role in most of the Orioles’ runs. And helping the O’s earn only their second win wearing their City Connect uniforms.

Almost predictably, the game began with an hour plus rain delay. Which of course is reminiscent of the Birds’ home stand just prior to the break. But once the game started, it was ON.

And keep in mind, I talk a lot about what speed can do on the base paths. However scouting also plays a role. Cedric Mullins got aboard in the last of the second with a single. He then proceeded to attempt a steal, knowing that Miami catcher Stallings wasn’t the greatest at throwing people out. Coming into the ballgame, he was 6-for-42 on the season in throwing out runners while stealing. The Orioles and Mullins knew this; not only did Mullins adjust that stat to 6-for-43, but he made it to third base on a Sallings throwing error.

Frazier came up later in the inning, and smacked an RBI-single. So the speed of Mullins, combined with the Orioles’ advance scouting (and of course Mullins’ execution), helped to manufacture that run. That’s how the concept of “team” works.

Miami would even the score in the top of the third when De La Cruz hit an RBI-single, reminding many fans that the O’s never seem to win while wearing their City Connect uniforms. But that was short lived, as Cedric Mullins’ solo homer in the last of the fourth put them back in the lead at 2-1. That brought Frazier back to the plate later in the inning, and his solo homer extended the lead to 3-1.

Miami would tighten things up in the eighth on a solo homer by Soler, but no worries – Frazier was coming back to the plate in the Orioles’ half of the frame. And he did so with a runner on base. And that runner, and Adam Frazier, got a free trot home when Frazier once again sent the ball over the fence.

It was also nice to see Brandon Hyde go to Felix Bautista for the save in the last of the ninth. Bautista of course blew the save in this last Tuesday’s All-Star game, sending the American League down to defeat. That’s obviously an exhibition, and meaningless at that. But you’d hate to see that mentally affect Bautista, so it was good for him to get right back out there. And he sent Miami down in order.

The series with Miami continues this evening at Camden Yards. Kyle Gibson heads to the bump for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Miami’s Braxton Garrett. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles open second half, prime time in two weeks

Hold onto your hats, Baltimore Orioles fans! Tonight begins the second half of the season. The O’s are 54-35, in the thick of the pennant race, and the Miami Marlins come to town tonight for the first of three this weekend.

It was also announced yesterday that the July 30th game against the NY Yankees (at Camden Yards) has been moved to a 7:10 PM start. It was previously a 1:35 first pitch on that Sunday afternoon. It’s now been moved into ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.

This is a move that signifies the league is recognizing that something magic’s happening in Baltimore. Many will point to the opponent and question if the Orioles are going to in essence be billed as “the other team,” or “the opponent” given that it’s New York. First off, it’s a national telecast, and the main league event of the week at that. It should be a neutral call.

However also keep in mind that the Orioles are in a pennant race – as I said above. New York may be on the fringes of that race, but they’re an outsider compared to the O’s. This is national exposure for the Orioles, and it’ll mean a lot to the city and the fans.

The series with Miami opens tonight at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Miami’s Sandy Alcantara. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman goes left and right

The Baltimore Orioles’ Adley Rutschman didn’t make it out of the first round in this evening’s Home Run Derby. However he did give the fans at T Mobile Park in Seattle a show that they won’t forget. He hit 26 home runs…

…batting first from the left side of the plate. Then he turned around and hit from the right side. The crowd loved it, and they showered Rutschman with appreciation.

And for his part, the All-Star festivities are sort of a home game for Rutschman. A native of the Pacific Northwest where he attended Oregon State University, Rutschman attended many Seattle Mariners games as a kid. His Dad pitched to him. Granted he didn’t advance, but he might be the first person in the history of the Home Run Derby to switch hit.

Baltimore Orioles wallop Minnesota to close first half, draft Enrique Bradfield

Ironically Kyle Gibson and the Baltimore Orioles had to come from behind to defeat Minnesota today. Julian’s RBI-double in the last of the first gave Minnesota an early 1-0 lead. But Gibson kept out of the big inning, and got back into the dugout. And the rest spoke for itself. Gibson’s line: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 11 K.

Austin Hays immediately tied the game in the second with a two-run homer. But in the fifth the O’s opened things up after taking the lead. And they got the lead on a two-run home run by Ramon Urias. Ryan Mountcastle, who returned to the lineup today, followed with an RBI-single. Austin Hays did the same, and Aaron Hicks came to the plate with two runners on. And he would open the game wide open with a three-run homer, giving the O’s an 8-0 lead.

But it didn’t end there. Adley Rutschman’s two-run homer and Anthony Santander’s solo shot in the sixth extended the lead to 11-1. As fans filed for the exits early, the Birds capped off a dominant performance with a 15-2 final. And it also included a solo shot in seventh by Anthony Santander.

This closed the most successful first half in team history. There’s still a lot of baseball to be played, and those games will include a few clunkers. But you have to endure that over the course of a long season. And for sure it’s a long season.

The Orioles also drafted OF Enrique Bradfield in the first round of this evening’s player draft. Bradfield is out of Vanderbilt, and hit .311 over three seasons. He has a keen eye, and knows the strike zone well. This will all come in handy through the minors, and into the big leagues.

Baltimore Orioles: Six-run second lifts the Birds

Another quality start for Tyler Wells, and another win for the Baltimore Orioles. Wells gave up an early run to Minnesota, but buckled down right away. And then Oriole bats lifted him up. Wells’ line: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

Wells allowed a run on a wild pitch in the last of the first. But then the O’s came to bat in the second. Three consecutive base hits loaded the bases with nobody out. Then Colton Cowser drew a walk, tying the ballgame. That was followed by a Ramon Urias walk, again with the bases loaded. And the Birds held a 2-1 lead.

But it didn’t end there. Adam Frazier smacked a two-RBI single, extending the lead. That was followed by RBI-singles by both Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander. And the Birds led 6-1.

Minnesota would tag Wells with one more run on Solano’s RBI-double in the last of the sixth. Minnesota did threaten in the seventh, but Brian Baker struck out Gallo to end the inning. And with that, the Birds have taken the first two games of the series in Minnesota.

The Orioles also got All-Star starter Austin Hays back for the first time since Sunday this afternoon. Hays of course collided with a Minnesota player on the base paths last Sunday, and he hasn’t played since. He was 1-for-3 this afternoon, and will start Tuesday night’s All-Star Game in Seattle for the American League.

The series and the first half conclude tomorrow at Minnesota’s Target Field. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’a Joe Ryan. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Donnybrook win personifies the new AL East

Kyle Bradish walked out of Yankee Stadiun a happy man tonight, and the fact is that he was one of many on the Baltimore Orioles tonight. The O’s may have split this series in New York, but needless to say tonight’s game made a statement. Bradish’s line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

In the American League East most games usually are battles. This one wasn’t. The O’s were dominant from the very beginning. Gunnar Henderson led off the ballgame with a solo homer in the first inning. The second inning might have been New York’s best one – they didn’t surrender any runs, and they probably felt they still had a chance to win. A thought that was widely exaggerated, and flat out incorrect.

The Orioles got back-to-back RBI-doubled in the third from Ryan O’Hearn and Cedric Mullins. Jordan Westburg would add one was well later in the inning, and Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman RBI-singles. That would bring O’Hearn to the plate again, and he smacked an RBI-single of his own. The O’s had officially batted around, and when the smoke cleared they led 8-0 after three.

But they weren’t finished yet. Far from it. Ramon Urias’ RBI-single extended the lead to 9-0 on the fourth. Later in the inning Gunnar Henderson added a three-run homer, running things to 12-0. And if that wasn’t enough, O’Hearn added a sac fly-RBI.

Cedric Mullins grounded into a fielder’s choice in the eighth. New York would get a nominal run in the ninth on a run-scoring single by McKinney. But that was the lone highlight for New York. And with that, the Birds went off to Minnesota with a 14-1 victory, splitting the four-game set in the Bronx.

At the end of the day, it equals one win. However it was also largely indicative of what’s happening in the AL East. We know it’s the best division in baseball, and perhaps in sports. But often it’s been New York (or Boston) who’s almost been predestined to be in control. The Orioles might have almost penciled in dropping two-of-three in the series. Not the case anymore.

If the strong first half and the four players on the all-star roster wasn’t already enough, this should put the rest of the league on notice that the Orioles aren’t a slouch. This team isn’t going anywhere anytime soon – except to the post-season. And the push to get there has to start now.

The Orioles now head to Minneapolis to open up three with Minnesota to closet the first half. Cole Irvin gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Bailey Ober. Game time is set for just after 8 PM at Target Field.

Baltimore Orioles: Colton Cowser’s debut ends with a win

After a couple of rough games, Dean Kremer gave the Baltimore Orioles a quality start this evening at Yankee Stadium. And he picked a good time to do it, with the team having lost two straight division games, and with outfielder Colton Cowser making his big league debut this evening. Kremer’s line: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 K.

Cowser, the number two prospect in the organization, came up at a time when the O’s need a shot in the arm. He singled in the top of the sixth, recording his first major league hit. A moment that neither he nor his parents will ever forget.

The game stayed scoreless through four innings, and Donaldson smacked a solo homer in the fifth. Later in the inning Higashioka would deliver an RBI-single, and the O’s trailed 2-0. However, they had only just begun to fight.

Cowser’s aforementioned big league hit was actually an RBI-single in the sixth, and it got the Orioles on the board. Later in the inning Jordan Westburg’s two-RBI triple gave them a 3-2 lead. Adam Frazier would reach on a fielder’s choice, which scored a fourth run.

New York would get one back in the eighth on a solo homer by Volpe, which made things interesting for awhile. However Ryan O’Hearn would give them some insurance with a two-run homer in the last of the eighth, which sealed the game. And the Birds took game three of the series, 6-3.

Insurance runs help. That took a lot of pressure off of Felix Bautista in the ninth. Which always helps. And needless to say, that’s part of the goal in any game (making the closet’s job easier, that is).

The series concludes tomorrow evening at Yankee Stadium. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Luis Severino. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall after six unanswered runs

The Baltimore Orioles were treated to a quality start tonight by Tyler Wells. He was solid most of the night, save for the tail end of his outing. However he put the O’s in a spot to win, and that’s all you can ask of a starting pitcher. Wells’ line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

The Orioles strung together three base hits in the top of the second to get on the board first. It ended up being Cedric Mullins’ RBI-single in the second that gave them a 1-0 lead. One inning later Adley Rutschman ‘s RBI-double extended that lead to 2-0.

Later in the inning Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-single extended the Orioles’ lead to 3-0. While they were cruising at that point, the lead never felt secure – despite Wells’ dominance. And true to their history, New York answered.

They smacked back-to-back homers in the last of the fifth. One by Volpe, and the other by Higashioka. However to his credit, Wells pitched out of that inning and continued on for one more inning.

New York put two runners in scoring position in the last of the seventh, and all-star Yennier Cano almost pitched out of it. With two strikes and two outs, he uncorked a wild pitch, tying the game at three. The O’s got out of the inning without sustaining further damage, however as I said – to that point it never felt like the lead was safe.

And it took a three-run homer by Bader in the eighth to beat the O’s on this night at Yankee Stadium. New York scored six unanswered runs to close the game. And to win. It’s tough to beat a team when they put up runs in that manner.

The series continues tomorrow – afternoon baseball on the 4th of July at Yankee Stadium. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Clarke Schmidt. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles end losing streak on a Jordan Westburg HBP

It’s been well over a year since the Baltimore Orioles have been swept, a trend that ALMOST ended this afternoon (and this weekend) against Minnesota. Now it’s worth pointing out that this is a Minnesota team that’s had the Orioles’ number the past few years as well. Cole Irvin put the O’s in a good spot to win, however for the second consecutive day the Birds couldn’t put any runs on the board for a starter. Irvin’s line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 1 K.

Irvin was good today, as I said above. Not technically a quality start given the five innings pitched, but he pitched well enough to win. He just didn’t get the run support.

He did load the bases in the first inning, but pitched out of it. Castro’s RBI-double in the fifth inning gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead. And it almost stood up to beat the O’s. ALMOST.

Minnesota closer Duran was going for a six put save, but it seemed they were prematurely looking to win the game. The O’s put two runners on, and Ryan O’Hearn came on as a pinch hitter, and took the count to 3-0 before Minnesota walked him. What could go wrong with two outs and their closer on?

That brought Jordan Westburg to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. And Westburg was hit in the back on the first pitch, that forced in a run, and the Orioles suddenly led, 2-1. Which ultimately turned into a 2-1 win, ending the losing streak. And keeping the streak of not being swept in tact.

When you’re scuffling you take runs however you can get them. And you take runs however you can get them. That was certainly a painful way to win if you’re Jordan Westburg, but it got the job done. And sent the Orioles on the road with a good feeling.

Left fielder Austin Hays collided with Minnesota first baseman Solano running out a ground ball in the second inning. The game was held up for a brief moment as the Minnesota training staff checked on Solano – who ended up being fine. However Hays appeared to be okay…

…until the fourth inning when he was replaced by Aaron Hicks in left. The Orioles later said it was a hip contusion, and Hays’ status going onward is unknown. For the record, the collision occurred due to a foul throw by the Minnesota infield. It drew Solano off the bag, who collided with Hays.

The O’s now head to New York to open up a four-game set with the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Tyler Wells gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Domingo German (who’s fresh off a perfect game). Game time is set for just after 7 PM.