Baltimore Orioles fall late despite Anthony Santander

The Baltimore Orioles seem to be in perpetual bullpen mode when it comes to starting pitchers. Asher Wojchiekowski was pitching well, but only went four innings tonight before being lifted. Incidentally lots of teams operate in that manner now, but I’ve noticed that the Orioles seem to do it also here and there. Wojciechowski’s line: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 3 K.

The O’s took the lead early tonight on the heels of a Hanser Alberto single in the first inning. Cedric Mullins was already on first base, and he scored when the Tampa outfield misplayed the ball. Hey if a team like Tampa’s going to give you runs like that, you take them!

Mullins would later score on a fielder’s choice by Renato Nunez. The Birds led, 2-0 and appeared in control. However Lowe’s third inning two-run homer tied the game at two. Two innings later in the fifth Diaz grounded into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded, giving Tampa a 3-2 lead.

As I’ve said, Tampa finds weird ways to score runs. That fielder’s choice came on a high Baltimore chop off the turf. The pitch of the chop allowed the Orioles to only record one out, which allowed a run to score. This as opposed to a ground ball double-play which would have gotten the Orioles out of the inning.

However as has been the case so often this season, Anthony Santander came to the Orioles’ rescue. To be blunt, the dude’s going out and having himself a season. He’s quickly winning the hearts and minds of Orioles fans from the Delaware line to Richmond (VA), and everywhere in between. He’s turning into a legit stud.

Nevertheless, his RBI-single in the seventh scored Hanser Alberto, and tied the game at three. However unfortunately, sometimes complaining does work. Tampa complained about the strike zone for most of the game. In the last of the eighth, it got really small for Oriole relievers. As a result, Perez smacked a misplaced slider out of the ballpark, giving Tampa a 4-3 lead. And a 4-3 victory.

Sometimes you have to roll with the punches. Tampa’s good at that. Their hitters adjusted to the strike zone. The Orioles did not. What that doesn’t change is the heroics of Anthony Santander, who lifted the team on it’s back when it needed it the most.

The series concludes tomorrow night at Tropicana Field. John Means gets the call for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Ryan Yarbrough. Game time is set for approximately 6:40 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: You can’t give extra outs and expect to win

Baltimore Orioles’ starter Tommy Milone gave the Birds a good outing tonight against Tampa at Tropicana Field. The result indicates he didn’t pitch good enough to win. But he put the Birds in a position to do so. And that’s all you can ask of a starter. Milone’s line: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R (2 earned), 1 BB, 6 K.

Renato Nunez have Milone and the O’s am early 1-0 lead with a first inning home run. However an inning later Tampa took the lead at 2-1 on Renfro’s two-run shot. But it’s important to note that the only reason there was a runner on base was due to a Pat Valaika throwing error at shortstop. For good measure, Margot would launch a solo homer immediately following Renfro’s shot, giving Tampa a 3-1 lead.

In the fourth Ryan Mountcastle recorded his first big league RBI, with a single that cut the Tampa lead to 3-2. However in the sixth Tampa would extend it’s lead to 4-2 on Choi’s sac fly-RBI. And that would be the final, as the O’s fell to Tampa in game one of the series.

However it’s important to note once again that the bases were loaded in the sixth due to another Valaika throwing error. Now this isn’t to call out Valaika, as Tropicana Field’s a tough infield with the field turf. However the two errors were responsible for two unearned runs. And that meant the game in this instance.

I wrote earlier today that Tampa finds wacky ways to beat you. It doesn’t help when you give them extra outs. They usually find a way to bring a run into score, compounding your problems. You can’t give extra outs to anyone at any level of baseball. But Tampa’s a team to whom you really can’t do that, as they always find a way to come through.

Before the game the O’s announced that they had ended the season of pitcher Wade LeBlanc. He was placed on the 60-day DL with a stress reaction in his elbow. As you’ll recall, that forced him from Sunday’s game against Boston in the first inning. To take his spot, the Birds recalled LHP Keegan Akin from their alternative site in Bowie.

The series continues tomorrow at Tropicana Field. Asher Wojciechowski gets the start for the O’s, and Tampa is yet to announce their starter. Game time is set for approximately 6:40 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Expect the unexpected in Tampa

The Baltimore Orioles open up a three-game set at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Rays this evening. While the O’s swept Tampa at Camden Yards a couple of weeks ago, they haven’t been an easy opponent for the Birds to play of late. Or ever, for that matter.

Tampa always seems to have the element of surprise on their side. They do things in games that seem to catch everyone by surprise. They put outfielders in motion in the field because analytics say such-and-such makes for a better shot at getting the batter out. Whatever it takes.

I suppose the point here is that the Birds should expect the unexpected when playing Tampa. Even when you catch onto some of their antics, they just find another way. So you have to be ready for all possibilities.

The series begins tonight at Tropicana Field. Tommy Milone gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Tyler Glasnow. Game time is set for approximately 6:40 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: #RIPFlanny

On this day in 2011 I said that so long as I penned a Baltimore Orioles’ column I’d remember August 24th. That was the evening that we learned of the untimely death of former Oriole Mike Flanagan. It’s a day that few people who follow the Birds will ever forget.

The Birds were in Minnesota, and the story of Flanagan’s death in essence unfolded as the game played out that night. It wasn’t until after the game that the Orioles and MASN television acknowledged Flanagan’s death. And that was by design.

This affected anyone who knew what Flanagan meant to the organization. Mike loved being an Oriole during his playing days. And he loved being affiliated with the organization after he retired. He spent numerous years in roles such as pitching coach, Vice-President of Baseball Ops, and of course as a broadcaster. He was beloved by the fans.

And he’s missed by the fans. His dry New England wit was unparalleled. But of course the reason he was so loved is because he was a great Oriole to begin with. Famously he was the last Oriole to pitch at Memorial Stadium. That means something. And it was done by design. He loved the Orioles and he loved the fans. And the fans loved him back.

So to Mike Flanagan’s family, I hope they know that Orioles fans are thinking of them today. These types of anniversaries are never easy. But they also help to remember the person. And no matter how he was connected to you, Mike Flanagan was someone you’d want to remember. May he rest in eternal peace.

Baltimore Orioles defeat Boston, split series

Baltimore Orioles’ starter Wade LeBlanc couldn’t make it out of the first inning yesterday. He surrendered a solo homer to Pillar on the second pitch, but with two outs he called for the trainer. LeBlanc left with what was later deemed elbow soreness, and Thomas Eshelman abruptly took over, pitching very well. Eshelman’s line: 4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K.

The O’s loaded the bases in the last of the first but let Boston off the hook. They also loaded the bases in the last of the third, but weren’t quite as charitable. Rio Ruiz‘s two-RBI single gave the Birds a 2-1 lead. Almost immediately following Ruiz’s single, Andrew Velazquez pushed a bunt down the third base line, scoring a third run for the O’s.

Not a lot of guys are going to bunt with two strikes. And that might be part of the reason why Velazquez did it. Call it the element of surprise, perhaps. Either way it worked, and the O’s ended up with a two-run lead.

Boston however would rally in the fifth. Bogaerts’ RBI-double off the right field scoreboard would get them to within 3-2. However Miguel Castro recorded a strikeout with two outs, ending the threat with the O’s in the lead.

However the O’s got some insurance back in the seventh. Rio Ruiz’s two-RBI double gave them a 5-2 lead. And that turned into a 5-4 victory following Bradley’s two-run homer with two outs in the ninth. Another example of why insurance runs are important.

As sloppy as the first two games of the series were, the O’s earned a series split with Boston. That makes a world of difference in terms of momentum as they now hit the road. The Wade LeBlanc injury is a concern, and we’ll have to see where he stands moving forward. But tomorrow being an off day, the Orioles could also skip him in the rotation this week and not be too bad off. The Birds will head to Tampa for a series beginning Tuesday night following an off day tomorrow.

Baltimore Orioles: Anthony Santander starts really that snaps skid

Alex Cobb did his job last night as the Baltimore Orioles’ starter. He put the team in a position to win. That’s what you ask of your starting pitcher in every game, but especially when you’ve lost six straight. Cobb’s line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K.

And Cobb has a brief lead in the game as well. Pat Valaika‘s solo homer in the second inning gave the Birds a 1-0 lead. However losing streaks don’t go easily. You had to know that both Boston, as well as “the losing streak,” were going to put up a fight.

Bradley’s solo homer in the fifth tied the game at one. Later in the inning Verdugo’s RBI-double gave Boston a 2-1 lead. One inning later, Pillar’s infield RBI-single extended Boston’s lead to 3-1.

And the Boston bullpen didn’t appear to be looking to allow the Orioles back into the game. Out after out was recorded, and the Birds seemed to be headed for their seventh straight loss. Only they weren’t.

Anthony Santander‘s spot came up in the eighth inning. He strode to the plate with a runner on and the Orioles trailing by two. And Santander delivered; he sent a deep shot down the left field line. The distance was never going to be an issue. But would it stay fair?

And the answer was YES, it would! Santander’s two-run shot tied the game at three, and put life into the Orioles. It’s tough to put into words what Santander means to this team right now, as he’s hitting everything that’s coming his way. And it’s generally leaving the ballpark. He also seems to have the clutch gene in him whereby he makes his presence known at the right times. A two-run homer in the first inning is a great thing. But doing it when Santander did is even better.

The game went to extra innings, which of course meant that Boston got to start the tenth inning with a runner at second base. Three walks later, they had a 4-3 lead. But that wasn’t about to render Santander’s earlier heroics null and void…

…because the O’s also got to start their half of the tenth with a runner at second. Cedric Mullins led off the inning and dragged a sacrifice bunt up the first base line. However Boston tried to make the out at third base, and instead got nothing. That gave the Birds runners at the corners with nobody out. A wild pitch later and the runner from third scored tying the game.

Following a single which also left runners at the corners, Boston would walk Anthony Santander. Being walked with second base open is respect. And fear. But it was probably the right call by Boston.

However the O’s weren’t about to squander this chance to win a game, and snap the skid. With the bases loaded, Pedro Severino‘s RBI-single gave the Birds a 5-4 win. And it’s a big win at that, as it snaps a six-game losing streak. Which is a load off of the minds of everyone in the clubhouse.

The O’s will try to go for the series split this afternoon at Camden Yards. Wade LeBlanc gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Zack Godley. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall in Ryan Mountcastle’s debut

John Means became only the latest Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher to be chased from a start early on. As was the case on Thursday, Boston came out swinging early. And for that they were rewarded. Means’ line: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Means gave up a solo homer to Bogaerts in the second inning, and a two-run shot from Martinez in the third. Those were the only runs that Means surrendered, however he still only stuck around for three innings. That was by design, as he was on a pitch count.

Devers smacked a three-run homer in the fifth, running it to 6-0. One inning later Chavis’ two-RBI single ran the score to 8-0. The O’s weren’t just losing, they were getting blown away.

But they did battle back. Pat Valaika and Cedric Mullins smacked solo homers in the seventh to cut the Boston lead to 8-2. Chance Sisco hit a three-run shot in the eighth. So the Birds didn’t just accept their fate lying down, but they did fall 8-5.

However the big story of the day was that the Orioles called one of their top prospects, Ryan Mountcastle up to the big leagues. Mountcastle replaced Chris Davis on the roster after he went to the 10-day IL. Mountcastle started in left field last night.

Mountcastle is of course expected to be one of the next generation’s stars in Birdland. So it was a historic night for both him and for the organization. Mountcastle drew two walks in four at-bats, and did score a run.

Mountcastle acknowledged before the game the bizarre circumstances surrounding his debut given the circumstances of the 2020 season (quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports):

There have been no fans. I don’t think it’s going to be the same, but at the same time I know this is the highest you can play and there should be really good competition and I’m excited to get going.

No player will ever forget his big league debut. When Mountcastle looks back at his he’ll undoubtedly remember it two-fold given the situation.

The Birds will try to snap their losing streak as the series continues tonight at Camden Yards. Alex Cobb gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Martin Perez. Game time is set for just after 7:30 PM.

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.