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: Seranthony Dominguez switching clubhouses

The Baltimore Orioles have made a trade. They’re sending reliever Seranthony Dominguez to Toronto in exchange for RHP Juaron Watts-Brown. He was previously the 10th best prospect in the Toronto farm system.

Dominguez of course is only switching clubhouses. This in the middle of a doubleheader. I’m always interested to see if he has a jersey and a uniform ready to go in the other clubhouse for the second game when things like this happen. I guess we’ll find out. At this time neither team has confirmed the trade.

Baltimore Orioles: That escalated quickly

It’s tough to decipher whether Charlie Morton or another members of the Baltimore Orioles was the most key in today’s win over Toronto in game one of a doubleheader. Morton pitched to a quality start, and did so in a game where the Birds needed some longevity given the doubleheader. Not to mention the heat. Morton’s line: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K.

The O’s led almost from the beginning. Sac fly-RBI’s by Tyler O’Neill and Cedric Mullins in the first inning gave them a 2-0 lead. Toronto would cut that in half in the third, however Ramon Urias and Cedric Mullins would each net sac fly-RBI’s in the home half of the inning to give the O’s a 4-1 lead.

The only real threat Toronto posed in this game was in the fourth when Barger’s two-run home run cut the lead to one at 4-3. However they ran themselves out of that inning with runners at the corners and two outs. On a double-steal attempt, the final out of the inning was recorded by the Orioles tagging the runner out trying to steal home. Why you would try something that risky in that situation, I don’t know.

The O’s took that one-run lead into the sixth before it escalated. And fast. Gunnar Henderson’s RBI-single extended the lead to 5-3. Then the red hot Tyler O’Neill’s three-run home run gave them an 8-3 lead. But what the heck…Ramon Urias went back-to-back and smacked a solo shot, before Colton Cowser ended the onslaught with an RBI-single to give the Orioles a 10-3 lead.

But they weren’t finished. Gunnar Henderson’s three-run homer in the seventh gave the O’s a ten-run margin at 13-3. Ramon Urias smacked his second solo home run of the game later in the inning, and the O’s would tack on two nominal runs in the eighth. This following a Toronto solo home run.

When the dust settled, the Birds had a 16-4 win in the first game of the doubleheader. That’s a good spot in which to be going into the second game. Especially when you have a Tyler O’Neill, who has four home runs in the last four games.

The series continues tonight in the second game of the doubleheader at Camden Yards. Brandon Young gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Eric Lauer. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Four homers plus does the trick

My personal opinion is that Baltimore Orioles’ starter Zach Eflin was almost cheated out of a win tonight against Toronto. Interim manager Tony Mansolino lifted Eflin to match up before he could get through five innings. The scoreboard says that was the right move, but I digress. Eflin’s line: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

The O’s got out to an early 3-0 lead in the second. Cedric Mullins smacked a two-run home run. That was followed by a solo home run by Coby Mayo, back-to-back. And that set the tone for the game.

However Toronto would briefly even the score with two homers of their own in the third. But the O’s weren’t having any of Toronto’s antics in this game. Fresh off the IL, Adley Rutschman’s two-RBI double gave the Orioles the lead back at 5-3 in the last of the third. Ramon Laureano would add an RBI-single, but Toronto would add one back on a fielder’s choice-RBI in the fourth.

However the O’s would break the game openly quickly. Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-double was followed in the fifth by Ramon Laureano’s two-run home run. Coby Mayo would score a tenth run on a fielder’s choice-RBI, in which Toronto had the runner out at home plate but took the out at first instead.

Colton Cowser would tack on a solo home run in the seventh and the Orioles went home 11-4 winners in game one against Toronto. Was it the return of Rutschman that made a difference? Needless to say, it didn’t hurt. But it was probably an indirect result of Rutschman’s return, and more a feature of the lineup being closer to complete.

Home plate umpire Brian Walsh did not have a good game. Gunnar Henderson was rung up on a called strike three that wasn’t close to being a strike, and numerous pitches appeared to be right down Broadway and were called balls. For the Orioles at least tonight, it worked out.

The series continues tomorrow at Camden Yards (in game one of a doubleheader). As things being written, neither team has named a starter. Game time is set for just after 12:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Strong finish in Colorado series

The Baltimore Orioles had to wait a bit longer than expected to see Tomoyuki Sugano in the series finale against Colorado. The game began with a nearly half hour rain delay – with no rain! But end of the day, it was worth the wait; Sugano pitched to a quality start. Sugano’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K.

This was probably Sugano’s best start in awhile. On a hot, humid, and sticky day at Camden Yards, Sugano turned in a great outing. The lone run he surrendered was a solo home run to Bernabel in the second inning. (Bernabel’s first homer of his career.)

But Oriole bats had some wherewithal to them today also. Following a Cedric Mullins walk and a Coby Mayo double, Dylan Carlson’s two-RBI double put the Orioles ahead 2-1. One inning later Gunnar Henderson got aboard with a single, and Tyler O’Neill smacked a two run home run to put the O’s ahead 4-1.

Following Sugano’s dominating performance, Yennier Cano did allow two runners on in the seventh. However he also induced a groundout and a strikeout, preserving the lead.

Gunnar Henderson would score in the eighth on a wild pitch to tack on an insurance run. Which as we know has been a tough thing for the O’s to do this year. End of the day, the Orioles took two-of-three in this series. Many will point to the first game and say that shouldn’t have happened. But two of three is two of three. And you take that.

The O’s now open a four-game set with Toronto tomorrow at Camden Yards. Zach Eflin gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Chris Bassitt. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Cedric Mullins on a Rocky Mountain High

Trevor Rogers was tasked with keeping Colorado at bay this evening for the Baltimore Orioles. Luckily for him and the Birds, Colorado wasn’t nearly as pesky as they were last night. Not even close. Rogers mowed them down with relative ease. Rogers’ line: 7.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

The Orioles began tonight’s game in a similar way they did last night, with a run in the first inning. Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-single gave them a 1-0 lead. One inning later it was 3-0 after a two-run home run by Tyler O’Neill. It was O’Neill’s second straight game with a homer, which is obviously a good sign. O’Neill’s struggled to stay off the IL this year, as of course has seemingly everyone else.

Colorado almost had an extra base hit in the third against Rogers when Arcia sent a deep shot to center. However it ended up being a long fly ball out. Cedric Mullins took a dead sprint towards the wall, laid out, and caught it on a dive. And dazzled the crowd in the process. Needless to say, that’s a gold glove play.

Mullins of course is a prime trade candidate. So that might have come at a good moment. It was also a swan song in a sense (assuming he moves) for the Camden faithful. As was his three-run homer in the fourth to give the O’s a 6-0 lead.

Incidentally, that was Mullins’ 100th career home run – all of them of course in the orange & black. So it was fitting that he hit that homer at Oriole Park. Also perhaps in one of his last games as an Oriole. Potentially. To show he wasn’t kidding, Mullins reached on a swinging bunt in the sixth. Colton Cowser scored on an E1.

Jacob Stallings would plate a run a moment later in a similar fashion – an E1. Colorado’s Robison did not have a good night in the field. The O’s would blow the game further open in the seventh. They batted around, and then some. When the smoke cleared, the O’s put nine runs on the board in the inning. And Colton Cowser made a play for a two-run homer, but it ended up being a long fly ball out to end the inning.

Lost in the shuffle was Trevor Rogers’ effort. Seven innings of one-hit baseball. However the story of the game, aside from the margin of victory, was Cedric Mullins. What happens between now and Thursday’s trade deadline remains to be seen. But Mullins has been a solid Oriole. And he deserves to have had his 100th career homer in front of Orioles’ fans.

Also worth mentioning, Mullins’ contract is up after this season. So the Orioles could trade him this coming week, only to re-sign him (if they so choose) in the off season. For the record, Alex Jackson smacked a solo homer in the eighth to run the final to 18-0. The Orioles set a franchise record tonight incidentally – 18 runs is the largest shutout win (in terms of margin of victory) in team history.

The series concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Tomoyuki Sugano gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Colorado’s Austin Gomber. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Solo home runs truly don’t beat you

Things started well enough for the Baltimore Orioles this evening against Colorado. Dean Kremer was dealing, and Oriole bats were hot. But things change often change quickly. Kremer’s line: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

Jordan Westburg and Tyler O’Neill each smacked solo homers in the fourth inning to give the O’s a 2-0 lead. Coby Mayo followed with a solo shot of his own in the third, as did Alex Jackson. Almost before the crowd had settled in, the O’s led 4-0.

I’ve written and said a lot thus far this season about the O’s potentially tipping pitches. Quite frankly, at times I STILL think it’s possibly happening (inadvertently, of course). Either that or the analytics the Orioles are using are so strong and so definable, other teams know what they’re going to do, and the adjustments they’re incapable of making.

Nevertheless it almost felt like Colorado might have been tipping their pitches at the beginning. If they were, they themselves were able to pick up on it, and they remedied it. Their starter (Freeland) calmed down after those four home runs. And he started mowing Oriole hitters down.

It was almost like the sides switched circumstances – similar to the game in Tampa earlier this year when the O’s surrendered a 7-0 lead. Colorado found themselves, while the Orioles muddled around in their reporting. Moniak’s solo homer in the fourth cut the lead to 4-1. One inning later Estrada’s two-run home run cut the Oriole lead to 4-3.

An RBI-double by Goodman and an RBI-single by Beck in the fifth gave Colorado a 5-4 lead. That rally came with two outs – another motif regarding the 2025 O’s. Kremer recorded the first two outs of the inning quickly, but struggled after having two outs. Again, another two-out rally.

The O’s would tie the game at five on an RBI-single by Jackson Holliday in the seventh. That got Kremer off the hook, but Tovar’s solo homer in the eighth would end up being the winning run for Colorado. Never allow a team like this to hang around, or you’ll regret it.

The O’s were hitting early. Granted that stopped, but it was happening early. We all know that they say solo home runs don’t hurt you. But if you relinquish several of them, they SHOULD hurt you. Colorado overcame that. And to the victors of the spoils.

The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Trevor Rogers gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Colorado’s Antonio Senzatela. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles trade Gregory Soto

The Baltimore Orioles have traded reliever Gregory Soto to the New York Mets. In return, they received RHP Wellington Arecena and RHP Carmen Foster. Soto is a free agent after this year.

Both relievers the Orioles are receiving are minor league farm hands. Arecena has been in single A, and Foster both at double and triple A. It’s unclear where the O’s will be sending these players, or if one or bother of them will be sent to the big leagues. For what it’s worth, both players have sub-3.00 ERA’s at their respective levels.

Baltimore Orioles: Bottom of the order and two outs

Zach Eflin came off the IL this evening to make the start for the Baltimore Orioles. And the Birds got a decent outing out of Eflin, who did his job. He put the team in a spot to win. Eflin’s line: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

The Orioles almost set the tone for the game in the first inning. Jackson Holliday drew a leadoff walk, but Jordan Westburg immediately grounded into a double-play. On the first pitch.

The O’s would then put runners at second and third in the third inning with nobody out. Jacob Stallings grounded into a fielder’s choice, leaving one out and runners at first and second. Subsequently, Cedric Mullins was picked off of second. What began as a promising inning, had two quick outs.

The Orioles would manufacture a run in the fourth and take a 1-0 lead on a sac fly-RBI by Ryan O’Hearn. However Cleveland would strike back in their half of the frame on a two-RBI single by Mazardo. In theory to that point, the Orioles had outplayed Cleveland. But Cleveland took advantage of the opportunity they had. The O’s did not.

On the flip side, that Mazardo two-run single was a very softly hit bloop. The Orioles hit several scathing liners this evening, and Cleveland made great plays in the field. Only to get burned again on balls that were hit and placed with soft contact. So far as I know, there isn’t a computer program or AI app that can defend against that as of yet.

But the O’s did tie the score. Jackson Holliday smacked a solo home run in the sixth, and the game was knotted at two. The O’s brought Colin Selby in from the bullpen in the last of the eighth, and he recorded two quick outs.

But rallies start against the Orioles with two outs. Throw in the fact that the bottom of the order is up, and you could have a problem. Naylor’s two-out double put a runner in scoring position. It also split the defenders and went all the way to the wall. It would stand to reason that the Orioles’ analytics told them how to best position their outfielders. Naylor just found a way to beat the computer.

That would bring Kwan to the plate, and his RBI-single T gave Cleveland a 3-2 lead. To make matters worse, when the O’s came to bat in the ninth the Cleveland closer was given multiple close pitches. The pitches were in the zone, but on the fringes. And Cleveland hitters had similar pitches called balls.

What the Orioles are doing with two outs that’s leading them astray is beyond me. But opposing teams have taken advantage all year. That could be coincidence for sure. But odds are there’s something facilitating opposing teams’ ease with Oriole pitching with two outs. Especially the bottom of orders.

The O’s will try to salvage one in the series finale tomorrow at Progressive Field. Charlie Morton gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Logan Allen. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Small details…

The Baltimore Orioles in effect played tonight as a bullpen game with Brandon Young on the mound. Young was better than his last outing when he struggled against Miami before the break. But the O’s had to go to the bullpen early, well before they should have. Young’s line: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 3 K.

Young gave up a solo home run to Ramirez in the first, and an RBI-single to Mazardo in the third. Both of those occurred with two outs. That’s of course been a huge problem for the Orioles this year. There’s something that opponents are seeing in their analytics that’s giving them an edge with two outs. And the O’s are unable to figure out what those tendencies are.

The Orioles did load the bases in the fifth, and Jacob Stallings grounded into a double-play, netting the Birds a run. Most people scoff at that. However when you look at how many catchers the Orioles have used this year and at the fact that Stallings as a result might not have otherwise been in the big leagues, you’ll take a run that came at a price of two outs.

But that was all the Birds could push across that inning, and Cleveland pushed the issue by scoring a third run in the bottom of the inning. However the Orioles still had a rally in them. Ramon Laureano hit a no doubter out of the park in the sixth, cutting the lead to 3-2. But Cleveland would push it to 5-2 with two runs in the sixth.

The wheels came off in a sense in the seventh. Not totally, but work with me. Ramon Urias led off the inning with a single, which he inexplicably tried to stretch into a double. And he was thrown out. So as opposed to a runner on first with nobody out, they had nobody on with one out. Not ideal.

Urias was trying to be aggressive. Many people say that wins games. Maybe it does. But what truly wins games is playing snart. Adhering to small details. Trying to stretch a single into a double is far from playing smart. You can’t give away base runners.

Jackson Holliday would add an RBI-single later in the inning, however imagine what could have been had the Orioles not tried to press. And on top of that, Cleveland added a sixth run in the home half of the inning. And the O’s fell 6-3, dropping game two of the series.

The Urias play was one thing. But it shows a lack of attention to detail. Aggressiveness is fine – within reason. You have to take what the defense gives you. Lest you surrender your position entirely.

The series continues tomorrow night at Progressive Field. Zach Eflin comes off the IL to make the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Somehow always a step behind

Tomoyuki Sugano was lackluster for the Baltimore Orioles tonight. Despite being gifted a three-run lead before even taking the field, he couldn’t hold it. He just couldn’t find the strike zone and had little command. Sugano’s line: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R (3 earned), 4 BB, 4 K.

As I said, Sugano had the lead before he stepped on the field at Cleveland’s Progressive Field. Gunnar Henderson’s RBI-single in the first inning gave the Birds a 1-0 lead. Ramon Laureano added a two-RBI single before the inning ended, and the O’s led 3-0.

But Sugano gave the lead right back. Ramirez’s three-run home run tied the game back up at three in the last of the first. And Laureano would come back up to bat in the third. And he would smack a two-run home run, giving the Birds a 5-3 lead.

But Cleveland would net a run in the fourth, and Naylor would tie the game at five in the fifth with a solo home run. They would take the lead in the sixth on a solo home run by Manzardo. On top of that, Cleveland would walk in two runs in the seventh. This just before Rocchio smacked a two-RBI single, securing Cleveland’s 10-5 win.

As I said, Cleveland walked in two runs in the seventh. In both cases the hitters sat back and waited for the Oriole reliever to throw a pitch out of the strike zone. It was almost as if they knew the Orioles weren’t going to “give in,”

On the flip side, several previously hard-throwing relievers on Cleveland’s side were throwing soft fastballs and getting strikes – some called and others swinging. It seems that Cleveland was thinking backwards. They knew the analytics said this. So they did that. That’s the danger in relying so heavily on analytics.

The series continues tomorrow night at Progressive Field. Brandon Young gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Joey Cantillo. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.