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: Anthony Santander homers twice but Birds come up flat

The Baltimore Orioles looked to knock Toronto down a leg this afternoon in the first of two games today at Camden Yards. They called Mike Baumann up from triple-A to make the start. He was also the 29th man on the roster, as permitted under the rules governing doubleheaders. Baumann’s line: 5.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Baumann made his first big league start today, although he did spend some time technically in the big leagues earlier this year on the Birds’ taxi squad. He didn’t look “crisp but certainly not awful. He made some good pitches, and he has a few things upon which to build.

Anthony Santander gave the O’s the lead in the last of the first at 1-0. Toronto would tie it up in the second on an RBI-single by Biggio. And the game would be tied until the third when Kirk would ground into a fielder’s choice, scoring a run. Bichette would come up in the fifth, and ground into a fielder’s choice of his own, giving Toronto a 3-1 lead.

On both of the aforementioned fielder’s choice’s, Gunnar Henderson flubbed balls – leading to a run being scored. You can excuse that, given the fact that he’s fresh up last week from the minors for the first time. Also given how hot he’s started. However those are mistakes that can and will cost you games, even given the fact that Henderson’s a rookie. Incidentally neither play was scored an error, as you can’t assume a double-play; and the O’s did record outs on the plays.

The Birds did attempt to rally a couple of times, however. Ryan Mountcastle smacked an RBI-double in the sixth. However come the eighth Hernandez smacked a two-run home run, giving Toronto some insurance. And the O’s rallied AGAIN, with Anthony Santander smacking a solo homer in the last of the eighth. However Toronto put three across in the ninth, giving them a 7-3 lead in the first of a twin bill.

The Orioles’ dugout and manager Brandon Hyde were livid for most of the game (along with the crowd). Home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez’s strike zone seemed inconsistent – at best. Numerous Oriole hitters were rung up on pitches that didn’t appear close to the zone. Yet when the O’s were in the field those same pitches were called balls. That certainly didn’t help matters.

The Orioles also surrendered hits late in the game on two-strike counts. Again, those types of things can’t happen – especially in a playoff push. When you get to two strikes, you need to put the hitter away. But the good news is that they’ll have another chance to do that, today!

The series (and the doubleheader) continues later this afternoon at Camden Yards. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Jose Berrios. Game time is set for approximately 5:05 PM this afternoon.

Baltimore Orioles: Ryan Mountcastle breaks out in another Oriole win

Austin Voth took to the mound for the Baltimore Orioles against Oakland last night, as they looked to win their fifth consecutive series. He had a bit of a rough go in the first inning, but only gave up one run. He didn’t stick around long enough to qualify for the win, however. Voth’s line: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K.

Oakland loaded the bases in the first inning, and they took a 1-0 lead on a sac fly-RBI by Murphy. But that lead was short-lived. When you’re a team out of contention (and Oakland was eliminated from playoff contention about a week ago) and you’re playing a team IN contention. That’s how it can sometimes go. Nobody knows and understands that better than the O’s.

Ryan Mountcastle smacked a two-run homer in the last of the first, giving the Orioles the lead at 2-1. Mountcastle had been in a slump for the past few weeks, but in the past few games his bat had showed signs of coming to life. And it couldn’t come at a better moment in the season.

Just to show he wasn’t kissing Mountcastle did the same thing in his next at-bat. He came up again in the third with one man on, and smacked another two-run homer. One inning later in the fourth, it was Cedric Mullins’ and Anthony Santander’s turns respectively. Their solo home runs broke the game wide open at 6-1.

Adley Rutschman would add an RBI-single in that fourth inning as well. However the competitive part of the game was over. Oakland was spotted an early one-run lead, but quickly stepped aside. Rutschman would add a solo homer of his own in the eighth, and the Birds took this one, 8-1.

As I said, Mountcastle appearing to put his slump to bed is a great sign. And it couldn’t happen at a better time, as this is shaping up to be the biggest month of consequence for the Birds in years. They need all of their weapons to overcome the teams in front of them and get to the Promise Land.

The series with Oakland concludes this afternoon at Camden Yards. Spencer Watkins gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Oakland’s Adrian Martinez. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Getting fat off of Oakland mistakes

The Baltimore Orioles opened perhaps the biggest home stand since 2016 this evening at Oriole Park at Camden Yards as Oakland came to town. Dean Kremer got the start, and added his name to the list of recent quality starts by Oriole starting pitchers. Kremer’s line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

I think the best part about these Oriole starters is that they’ve consistently gotten better as the season’s gone on. And this without the services of their ace, John Means, for most of the year. But as time’s gone on, they’ve gotten stronger. So has the bullpen. and that’s a testament to how this team’s been put together.

The O’s took a 1-0 lead in the last of the third on an RBI-single by Robinson Chirinos. Ryan Mountcastle added an RBI-single later in the game, and the O’s found themselves ahead 2-0. And that lead held for two innings, until the fifth. Kemp smacked a two-RBI single, and the game was suddenly tied.

But that was the only blip on the radar for the Orioles and Kremer. Unfortunately while he pitched to a quality start, the game was tied when Kremer left after the sixth inning. He pitched well enough to get the win, however it just didn’t happen for him this evening.

The Birds led off the last of the eighth with a walk by Anthony Santander, and a base bit by Ryan Mountcastle. But it wasn’t just any single. Mountcastle tapped a slow grounder to Bride, the Oakland second baseman. Bride wanted to go to second to turn two, but he didn’t have the angle on the base runner. By the time he tried to throw back to first to get Mountcastle, he was safe at first.

Keep in mind that for years the O’s would make mistakes like that. And other teams would get fat off of those almost predictable errors, and that cost the O’s a boatload of games. Now, the shoe appears to be on the other foot.

Ramon Urias laid down a sacrifice bunt, putting two runners in scoring position. The Birds pinch-hit with Cedric Mullins, who was intentionally walked to load the bases. Brandon Hyde decided to send up another pinch hitter, this one in the form of Adley Rutschman. Who has a great knowledge of the strike zone…

…and Rutschman worked the count and walked, giving the O’s the lead back at 3-2. That was about as professional and as clutch an at-bay as you’re going to see. And it came from Rutschman, a rookie. The Orioles would also get insurance runs off of a two-RBI single by Jorge Mateo, and they strode home with a 5-2 win.

Again, the O’s are now holding other people accountable for their mistakes in games. Mistakes happen, no doubt. But you have to look at the mistakes of your opponents as opportunities. And the Orioles seized their opportunities tonight. And they were rewarded with a win. And a big one at that.

The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Austin Voth gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Oakland’s Adam Oller. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles overcome Cleveland with solo homers

The Baltimore Orioles set out to take this series with Cleveland this week, and they’ve done just that. Kyle Bradish went to the mound this evening in the series finale, and pitched a quality start. He put on a virtuoso performance, setting the Birds up for success in this game. And this series. Bradish’s line: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K.

This may be the best start of Kyle Bradish’s career. It was definitely one of them, needless to say. He put the Orioles in a spot to win and then some. And in the big leagues, that’s the name of the game for starting pitchers.

The O’s led from the beginning in this one. Cedric Mullins hit the first pitch of the game out of the ballpark, giving the Birds a 1-0 lead. That was followed up a little later in the inning with another solo homer, this one by Anthony Santander.

Thus before Bradish even took the field, he led the game, 2-0. Ryan Mountcastle would add an additional solo shot in the fourth, giving the O’s a 3-0 lead. And that would in effect act as an insurance run.

The rest was all Kyle Bradish. And of course Gunnar Henderson, who made several dazzling plays at shortstop this evening. Overall, it’s another win, and another series win for the O’s. Which is exactly what they need now. And always.

It was also good to see Ryan Mountcastle homer tonight. Coming into the ballgame, he had 5 hits in 113 at-bats in the last 30 games. So seeing him break out tonight with a home run was good to see. And I know the O’s are hoping that it bodes well for September. And the final push for the Promise Land, that being the postseason.

The O’s now head for home to open a three-game set with Oakland at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Oakland’s JP Sears. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Gunnar Henderson with a debut for all seasons

The Baltimore Orioles looked to even the series with Cleveland tonight at Progressive Field, and in doing so called up their top prospect in Gunnar Henderson. Luckily, he didn’t disappoint. Neither did starter Jordan Lyles, although it wasn’t always rosy so to speak. Lyles’ line: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K.

Lyles pitched out of a few situations over the course of his start, but never broke. He pitched out of a bases loaded situation in the fourth, and a few others. He never surrendered a run, and pitched to a quality start.

The Orioles also loaded the bases at one point, this in the top of the third. And Ramon Urias drew a walk, forcing in a run. And the O’s took a 1-0 lead.

Gunnar Henderson lined out in his first at-bat. This of course is a day he’ll always remember, his big league debut. His family was flown into Cleveland for the game to be there for him. But come his second at-bat, Henderson further stamped an unforgettable day with his personal insignia.

Henderson led off the fourth, and on a 2-2 pitch sent a deep shot to right center. The ball made it into the grandstand, giving Henderson his first major league hit, and his first major league home run – all in one package! He also gave the Birds a 2-0 lead.

If I were Henderson, I’d retire tonight. Heck, I might have retired after running the bases. As they said on Seinfeld, you always “end on a high!” But obviously the Orioles and Orioles fans are glad that isn’t happening. Henderson also followed that up with a hard base hit. A memorable evening for the Henderson family all around.

Ramon Urias added a two-run homer in the eighth, giving the O’s some insurance. And they cruised to a 4-0 victory. Which is huge for the playoff.

The series concludes tomorrow night at Progressive Field. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Shane Bieber. Game time is set for just after 6 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall in game one in Cleveland

Spencer Watkins got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this evening at Cleveland’s Progressive Field. Watkins pitched three decent innings. But the second time through the order, Cleveland figured him out. Watkins line: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 0 BB, 3 K.

It’s tough to hang this loss squarely on Watkins. It’s always a team effort – win or lose. The lone Orioles’ run came in the top of the second when Ryan Mountcastle plated a run with a sac fly-RBI, giving the Birds a 1-0 lead.

Unless your pitching is just lights out on that particular night, it’s tough to win a game 1-0. And as I said, Cleveland figured Watkins out second time through the batting order. Naylor smacked a two-run homer in the last of the fourth. That got Cleveland on the board, and gave them a 2-1 lead.

One inning later they broke the game wide open. Kwan’s two-RBI double extended their lead to 4-1. Rosario added a sac fly-RBI later in the inning, and Cleveland led 5-1.

The good news is that the Orioles’ ‘pen didn’t give up a run. And they pitched about half the ballgame. But as we’ve said many times before, you aren’t going to win them all. Not even close. You come back tomorrow and try again.

The series continues tomorrow night at Progressive Field. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Triston McKenzie. Game time is set for just after 6 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Starting pitching strong but Birds fall in Houston finale

You can’t get better starting pitching than the Baltimore Orioles got today and this weekend overall in Houston. Austin Voth got the start, pitching to a quality start in the series finale at Houston’s Minute Maid Park. Voth’s line: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K.

One might argue that the Orioles had a legitimate gripe or two in this game, starting with the home plate umpire. The strike zone seemed to revolve a bit over the course of the game. But the way that the fifth inning unfolded didn’t sit well with the Birds.

Jorge Mateo smacked a double to center, giving the O’s a runner in scoring position in a 0-0 tie. Mateo tried to extend the double into a triple, and was thrown out. Or was he?

The Orioles challenged the play. It was close, needless to say. Replays seemed to show that Mateo got his left arm into the bag before the tag came down. But according to the umpires, there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the call on the field. Needless to say, the Orioles’ dugout wasn’t thrilled.

Gurriel smacked a two-RBI single in the seventh, giving Houston a 2-0 lead. Bregman’s added a solo homer in the eighth. The O’s did rally, on an RBI-single in the ninth. They also had the tying run at the plate, but couldn’t convert.

The O’s fell today, but left Houston having taken two-of-three from the best team in the American League. That’s an amazing feat, and end of the day, they left town in better shape than when they arrived. Needless to say, these Orioles are for real.

Baltimore Orioles: Ramon Urias swings, Bradish deals, Birds win

Kyle Bradish became the first Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher to pitch against Trey Mancini last night in Houston. The Birds of course traded Mancini to Houston last month, and faced him as an opponent last night for the first time. And both Bradish and his teammates made the most of it. Bradish’s line: 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K.

Before the game Mancini and his former Orioles coaches and teammates exchanged hugs and pleasantries. Mancini didn’t want to be traded away. And the Orioles didn’t really want to trade him. But as we all know, it’s a business. And trading Mancini was the right business move.

Mancini was actually one of the lone Houston Astros that got on base against Bradish. He drew a walk – one of two Bradish issued. Incidentally and as you can see from his stat line above, Bradish threw eight innings of two hit ball. He was really good, obviously. He did more than put the O’s in a spot to win.

Ramon Urias smacked a two-run homer in the sixth inning. To that point it had been a pitcher’s duel. And it remained a pitcher’s duel. Bradish wasn’t about to give up a run. And Dillon Tate closer Houston out in the ninth inning, sealing the win.

And what a win it was! Houston has the best record in the American League. This is certainly a measuring stick series for the O’s, in terms of whether they can compete with the creme de la crème of the American League. So far so good, is all you can really say. The O’s are 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.

The series continues this evening at Minute Maid Park. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Jose Urquidy. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Kyle Stowers’ first homer couldn’t come at a better time

The Baltimore Orioles sent Jordan Lyles to the mound last night in hopes of winning the series with the ChiSox. He started off in the most inauspicious manner possible – by giving up a solo homer on the first pitch. But he also set the tone in hopes that Oriole bars could pick him up. Lyles’ line: 7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R (1 earned), 0 BB, 2 K.

Vaughn hit the first pitch of the game out of the ballpark. So the O’s found themselves in an early hole. However Anthony Santander’s two-run homer in the last of the first gave the Orioles the lead at 2-1. This foreshadowed Chicago being reminded that no matter what, you NEVER count these Birds out so long as there’s game left to play.

The Orioles’ lead held until the seventh inning. Terrin Vavra’s errant throw on a routine play allowed a run to score, tying the game at two. I’ve said this a million times (both on runs the Orioles score and runs scored by the opponent), but when you get guys on base things can happen. One inning later in the eighth Chicago took the lead back at 3-2 on Abreu’s RBI-single.

We went to the last of the ninth with the Birds still trailing 3-2. This was a huge game given the playoff standings (the O’s entered the game three games out of a wild card spot behind Seattle). And with the O’s heading to Houston this weekend, you’d hate to have dropped two-of-three at home to Chicago. But it looked like things were trending in that direction.

Kyle Stowers came to the plate with two outs in the ninth. The rookie was just looking to get on base. But instead he added his name to a long list of Orioles who historically have left their mark on opponents by coming through in the clutch. This phenomenon is best known as Orioles Magic.

Stowers didn’t just “get on base” to extend the game. Instead he picked the most opportune moment possible to smack his first career home run, tying the game at three. A player’s first career home run is always exciting. But how often does it occur in such a clutch moment in such a huge game? That’s about as clutch as you’re going to get.

Adding to the legend of the story was the fact that the Birds won the thing on a run-scoring single by Anthony Santander in the 11th. And the O’s moved to within 2.5 games of the final wild card spot. Oh and they thrilled the fans once again. Big time.

Perhaps the most striking part of the Stowers home run was what happened two pitches earlier. Chicago had brought in Engel as a defensive replacement in left field. Stowers appeared to have ended the game by sending a foul pop down the left field line. It was a fairly routine play…but Engel dropped it. The game would have been over, but Engel dropped the ball. And Stowers went on to hit that home run, that few in Birdland will ever forget.

The O’s now head to Houston for the first of a three-game series tonight at Minute Maid Park. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Lance McCullers. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Birds drop one to ChiSox

Spencer Watkins got the start last night for the Baltimore Orioles against Chicago. He pitched to a quality start, but the fact is that Oriole bats couldn’t get untracked in time to deliver a win. Chicago took the lead against Watkins, and never surrendered it – tagging Watkins with the loss. Watkins’ line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

Chicago took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-RBI single by Sheets. (This has been said ad hoc, but Sheets is a Baltimore area native, and is the son of former Oriole Larry Sheets.) But those were the only two runs Spencer Watkins gave up. Hence the fact that he pitched to a quality start.

The Orioles got on the board in the last of the fourth on an RBI-groundout by Ryan Mountcastle. The O’s also stranded a runner at third in the sixth, which is a no-no in one-run game. It usually comes back to haunt you.

And sure enough, it did. Sheets struck again in the seventh. His RBI-single gave Chicago a 3-1 lead. Chicago would bet an additional run on a wild pitch in the eighth, and a fifth run on an RBI-single. The Birds would offer a slight rally in the last of the ninth on Austin Hays’ two-run homer, but they wound up falling short.

The series concludes this evening at Camden Yards. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Lance Lynn. Game time is set for just after 7 PN.