Baltimore Orioles fall to Boston

The Baltimore Orioles continues their skid last night in game one of four against Boston. Starter Asher Wojchiekowski didn’t pitch horrendously. However he fell victim to a high pitch count. Boston hitters fouled off pitch after pitch, chasing him earlier than he would have liked. Wojciechowski’s line: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Boston got on the board in the second on Peraza’s RBI-single. Incidentally, it was another run surrendered by the Birds on a softly-hit blooper. There isn’t much anyone can do about this. It’s just something that seems to happen a lot.

Later in the inning Verdugo grounded into a fielder’s choice-RBI. This very well could have been an inning-ending double play instead of another run scored. However Nunez had an ever-so-brief problem getting the ball out of his glove, which resulted in the Birds not being able to turn two. When things aren’t going well things like that happen.

An inning later Boston would get a solo homer out of Bogaerts. However the Birds briefly fought back in the seventh. Pat Valaika got them on the board with a solo homer. But the only thing that did was ensure they didn’t get shut out.

Boston would put four insurance runs on the board in the top of the ninth just for good measure. As I said, when things aren’t going well things like that happen. The O’s need to come back to the ballpark today rededicated to their fundamentals among other things.

Starters also need to go deeper into games. One of the reasons four insurance runs in the ninth inning happens is because the bullpen is taxed. If starters can start going deeper into games, that helps rest the bullpen.

The series continues tonight at Camden Yards. John Means gets the start for the Birds, and Boston is yet to announce a starter. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles swept by Toronto

Baltimore Orioles’ starter Tommy Milone pitched the Birds to a quality start this afternoon. Mind you, that’s classified as six innings plus of three earned runs or less surrendered. And in fact the way that Milone pitched sized up to being classified as a quality start. Milone’s line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

The O’s were trailing as of the second inning when Grichuk smacked a solo homer. The guy literally couldn’t NOT hit any offering by an Orioles’ pitcher in this series. If they threw it, he hit it. And it generally went out of the ballpark. He single-handedly killed the O’s.

However Dwight Smith Jr.‘s run-scoring single in the fourth tied the game at one. The Toronto outfield mishandled the ball, allowing the run to score. That also allowed Smith to get to third base – on an error. The Birds would take the lead later in the inning on Pat Valaika‘s run-scoring single.

But with the aforementioned Grichuk in the Toronto lineup, no Oriole lead appeared to be safe. And that goes for the entire series, not just today’s game. But in the top of the sixth Grichuk hit his second homer of the game, this one of the two-run variety. That gave Toronto a 3-2 lead. Just to show he wasn’t kidding, Grichuk made a run at home run number three on the day in the eighth inning. But Dwight Smith Jr. was having none of that, and it fell safely into his glove. Toronto would later add two insurance runs, and take the game 5-2.

This wasn’t as bad a series for the O’s as one might think given the fact that they were swept. They weren’t far off in the games. Toronto had a lot of things bounce their way. And that’s how it goes sometimes in sports.

Incidentally, the Orioles have traditionally struggled against Toronto. They’re just a franchise that’s had the Orioles’ number for some reason. I can’t tell you why, they just always seem to find a way against the O’s. Grichuk’s antics this series is only the latest example.

The Boston Red Sox come to town tomorrow night for a four-game set at Camden Yards. Asher Wojciechowski gets the call for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Nathan Eovaldi. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Anthony Santander thrives in extra-inning loss

Baltimore Orioles’ starter Wade LeBlanc struggled last night against Toronto. He couldn’t fully locate his pitches, and Toronto hitters turned on them the second time through the order. LeBlanc’s line: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 3 K.

But the good news for the O’s is that they had Anthony Santander on their side. He smacked a two-run homer in the last of the first to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. However in the top of the third Grichuk’s two-run homer tied the game back up at two.

But Santander wasn’t going to be outdone. In the third he took the lead back with his second homer of the game, this a solo shot. However Santander continues to put the league on notice that he’s quickly turning into a big time slugger. And the Orioles couldn’t be happier about that.

However Toronto would put five runs on the board in the fifth inning. They loaded the bases with nobody out (chasing LeBlanc), and didn’t really look back. Five-run innings are tough to come back from. But the Birds would certainly try.

They got a two-run homer from Chance Sisco in the last of the fifth. That ran the score to 7-5, as the Birds inched their way back into the game. Renato Nunez would later add on a sac fly-RBI. That brought the Birds to within 7-6.

Hanser Alberto‘s RBI-single in the seventh tied the game at seven. And following that, to extra innings we went. However the O’s couldn’t sustain the momentum in the tenth. Gurriel reaches base on a fielder’s choice, allowing a run to score from third. And the O’s fell, 8-7.

Even in a losing effort we do see the Orioles’ knack for coming back. And as I said above, Anthony Santander is putting the entire league on notice that he’s arriving on the scene. That’s perhaps the biggest takeaway out of everything in terms of the Orioles’ start to the season. They may well have a bona fide slugger on their hands.

The series concludes this afternoon at Camden Yards. Tommy Milone gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Tanner Roark. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Alex Cobb a hard-luck loser on flukey plays

If you look at the Baltimore Orioles’ line score, Alex Cobb‘s Numbers don’t look so hot. However he was pretty on his game tonight. Sometimes the line or box score doesn’t tell the story that should or could be told. Cobb’s line: 6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Cobb retired Toronto in short order in the first two innings. However he allowed two infield base hits to start off the third. That’s two balls that were placed perfectly and had to be eaten. Two base runners, no outs.

Biggio then connected on another infield hit, in what amounted to a swinging bunt up the third base line. That scored a run, giving Toronto a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning Grichuk would smack a three-run homer, and the O’s trailed 4-0.

Now one might argue that a pitcher who gave up a three-run homer shouldn’t be called a hard-luck loser. And that’s a fair point. However keep in mind that those runners wouldn’t have been on base if not for the infield hits. So all things being equal, it easily could have just been 1-0 Toronto. Instead, it was 4-0.

Pedro Severino would get the O’s on the board in the last of the fourth with an RBI-single. However to their credit, Toronto pitching shut the Orioles down for the rest of the game. And in fact, Toronto would even score an additional run in similar fashion. Grichuk would dump a softly-hit bloop RBI-single into shallow right center field. And as insurance runs, Biggio would add a two-run homer in the ninth. Just for good measure, the O’s decided to get into the bloop game. Renato Nunez‘s bloop RBI-single tan the final to 7-2 in Toronto’s favor.

The Orioles have struggled over a great many years with teams that would nitpick them to death in this manner. Dating back over several different era’s. Think back to the 2014 ALCS against Kansas City. The O’s were paper cut to death in a series full of broken bat and bloop singles.

I’m not sure how you defend against this type of thing. The only defense is a good offense, and that didn’t happen for the Orioles tonight. If you keep the bats hot you can keep up in games. Even when the opponent’s getting every break in the book. Granted Toronto did get three runs off of homers. But the damage was done in simplistic manners.

The series continues tomorrow at Camden Yards. Wade LeBlanc gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Nate Pearson. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall despite Anthony Santander’s two homers

John Means didn’t even last an inning for the Baltimore Orioles against Washington today. In fact, he turned in the shortest outing of his career. If anything, Means was getting too much of the plate. Means’ line: .2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 0 K.

Means surrendered three runs, two on RBI-singles, and one on a sac fly-RBI. But in what’s become commonplace, the O’s showed signs of life. Anthony Santander‘s solo homer cut the lead to 3-1.

Washington would extend their lead to 5-1 in the fifth with two additional runs. But again, that aforementioned Santander homer was a harbinger of things to come. Both the act, and the person who did it.

The O’s were thrust right back into the game in the last of the sixth. Pedro Severino smacked a three-run homer, and suddenly the Birds we’re back to within one at 6-4. One inning later Anthony Santander came to the plate again. And he didn’t disappoint, smacking a solo homer and tying the game at five.

This Oriole team is nothing if not resilient. They battle back and they play to the final out. And they’re starting to do it with power. Anthony Santander is starting to turn into a legit stud at the plate. He’s not only hitting the ball, but it’s traveling a long way after he makes contact.

Unfortunately, Santander’s two homers weren’t enough today. Washington put a runner at third base in ten eighth, and he would score on an E5 throwing error. That would end up being the winning run for Washington.

And that really shows you the two aspects of this game offensively. It’s great to smack the ball out of the yard, especially when runners are on base. However sometimes when you put runners on base things happen. That run came with two outs, so it would have been the end of the inning.

The Orioles dropped this series, but as I wrote last night they’ve won the season series with Washington. Given that they’re the defending champions, that means something. This Oriole team is in good shape, and people are starting to notice.

The O’s begin a three-game set with Toronto tomorrow night at Camden Yards. The Birds are yet to announce a starter, but Toronto will throw Hyun Jin Ryu. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Birds fly on Jose Iglesias’ three hits

Asher Wojchiekowski got the start for the Baltimore Orioles against Washington tonight at Camden Yards. While his real potency only lasted five innings, he did his job in putting the O’s in a position to win the game. Wojciechowski’s line: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K.

Pedro Severino stayed hot from the get go, smacking a two-RBI double in the last of the first. And that was big for the O’s. After losing 15-3 last night, they needed to come out early and establish that it was an anomaly. That’s how you prevent losing streaks; you forget about a game like that by winning the next day.

Andrew Velazquez would add an RBI-triple, and Hanser Alberto a sac fly-RBI in the last of the second. The O’s led 4-0. However Washington would cut that lead in half at 4-2 in the fourth when Soto smacked a two-run homer. However Rio Ruiz‘s solo homer in the bottom of the inning to extend it back to 5-2.

Washington chawed Wojchiekowski following Turner’s two-run homer in the top of the sixth. But the Orioles’ bullpen shut them down from there. And the O’s even managed to put across an insurance run. Jose Iglesias‘ RBI-single in the last of the eighth ran the score to 7-3. It was Iglesias’ third hit of the game.

As I said, it was important that the O’s win tonight so as to get back on the horse after last night’s loss. You want to instantly forget games like that, and this is the best way to do it. Basically you can’t start a losing streak if you don’t lose two straight.

The O’s have also won the season series with Washington with this win. They can go for a series victory for the weekend tomorrow. But they’ve won the season series with Washington regardless.

The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. John Means gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Max Scherzer. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: When good things end, they end ugly

The Baltimore Orioles brought a six-game winning streak into last night’s series opener against Washington. Starter Tommy Milone was taxed with keeping Washington at bay. Unfortunately however, when winning streaks end (which they undoubtedly will eventually), they usually end in an ugly manner. Milone’s line: 4.0 IP, 9 H 6 R (3 earned), 0 BB, 2 K.

The O’s actually had the lead in this one, as Anthony Santander stayed hot and smacked a solo first inning home run. This after what’s become a familiar situation for the Orioles, a two hour rain delay. Before the game even started.

Gomes’ two-RBI triple in the second fave Washington a 2-1 lead. Washington would also put three across in the third on Soto’s fielder’s choice. The runs would score as a result of an error. Kieboom would also add a two-RBI single, and Cabrera a sac fly-RBI.

The only other Oriole runs on the night came from Hanser Alberto‘s RBI-double in the seventh, and Dwight Smith Jr‘s RBI-single in the eighth. However a Washington kept adding on, including six runs in the eighth, and two in the ninth. When the smoke cleared, they defeated the Birds 15-3.

As I said, when winning streaks end they usually end in an ugly fashion. When things are flying high and going smoothly, you don’t just hit a bump or snag in the road. They come crashing down on you. However the O’s can go out tonight and start a new winning streak. That should be the goal. 

The series continues this evening from Camden Yards. Asher Wojchiekowski gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Patrick Corbin. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Can you say SWEEP?!

The Baltimore Orioles and starter Thomas Eshelman went into this afternoon’s game in Philadelphia already guaranteed of a series victory. They had to wait an additional hour and forty-five minutes due to a rain delay, but they had their eyes set on a series sweep. And that’s the mark of a winner; it’s not enough to take two-of-three. They wanted a sweep. Eshelman’s line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

As has been the case in the other two games of the series, Philadelphia actually had the lead. Realmuto’s two-run homer put them ahead 2-0 in the fourth. But that was about the gist of the noise that Philadelphia made.

The O’s loaded the bases in the fifth, and started a rally when Pat Valaika grounded into a fielder’s choice-RBI. However later in the inning with the bases loaded again, Anthony Santander cleared them with a three-run double. That gave the Birds a 4-2 lead. And they showed no signs of looking back.

Jose Iglesias would add a two-RBI double in the seventh, and Pedro Severino a three-run homer in the eighth. Realmuto would also smack another two-run homer to get Philadelphia back to within five runs at 9-4. But just for good measure, the Birds weren’t done. Rio Ruiz‘s two-run homer in the ninth ran the final to 11-4.

This was truly a remarkable series. Keep in mind that the O’s were on the verge of sweeping Washington before Sunday’s game was suspended. If they can complete that game of course tomorrow they will have swept Washington. But in the interim they’ve swept Philadelphia. This is a team that was seen as a joke going in. I don’t think anyone’s laughing anymore.

Whether this is truly a season to remember in Birdland remains to be seen. But so far so good. It could all go south tomorrow. But needless to say, this team is fun to watch, and they okay hard. Quite frankly, that’s all the city of Baltimore has ever asked for.

The O’s now return home to open up a three-game set with Washington. (Please note, last Sunday’s suspended game will be completed at 5 PM prior to the series opening.) Tommy Milone gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Stephen Strasburg. Game time is set for 45 minutes after the completion of the suspended game.

Baltimore Orioles sweep Washington

This is in essence a continuation of a Baltimore Orioles’ game recap which began on August 9, 2020 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The game was suspended due to rain with the O’s leading 5-2 in the top of the sixth, and was resumed today at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. For the beginning of the column, follow this link. Click to page two for the continuation of the column.

Pages: 1 2

Baltimore Orioles: Another Philly special courtesy of the Birds

The Baltimore Orioles were hoping that starter Wade LeBlanc was going to go deep into last night’s games due to overusing the bullpen on Tuesday. Unfortunately LeBlanc only made it into the fourth inning. However that was the only disappointment on the night for the O’s. LeBlanc’s line: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K.

Philadelphia took the lead in the second on Knapp’s RBI-double. However an inning later the game was tied due to Anthony Santander‘s solo homer. But Philadelphia would get spotted two additional runs, giving them a 3-1 lead.

The Orioles’ mark appears to be sneaking up on people. Their rallies begin innocently, and before you know it they’re right back there in the game fighting. In the fourth the Birds did just that, putting a couple of runners on base. Then Chance Sisco‘s two-RBI single (he later took second on the throw) tied the game at three.

And an inning later the O’s had the lead. And for good. Rio Ruiz‘s solo homer in the fifth took care of that. For good measure in the seventh, Sisco would homer in the seventh – another solo shot. Philadelphia would push another run across in the eighth, but the sum of the parts equals an Oriole victory.

Keep in mind, there are people out there who predicted that the Orioles would only win 15-20 games. Heck, the only prediction I was willing to give at the beginning was that they wouldn’t finish in last place. I’m standing b my that prediction as of now, incidentally.

But the O’s have defied predictions – THUS FAR. Philadelphia on the other hand was expected to potentially contend. Fans or no fans in the stands, it can’t sit right with their fans to be getting shown the door by a team like the Orioles, who wasn’t expected to make any noise. The O’s have taken the first two games of the three-game set. And their confidence appears to be at a high. They’re putting the rest of the league on notice.

The series concludes this afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Thomas Eshelman gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by former Oriole Jake Arrieta. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.