Baltimore Orioles: A cracked nose and the “Zach attack” lead the way for the Birds

The Baltimore Orioles got a look at their most recent acquisition in game one of a twin bill, that being starter Zach Eflin. If one start is any indication (which it most certainly is not), he was worth every penny. Eflin’s line: 6.0 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

Eflin was pretty strong. If you’re keeping track at home, that’s a quality start in his maiden outing for the Orange & Black. And for once, an Oriole starter got some run support.

The first inning was “interesting,” to say the least. Toronto starter Rodriguez walked the first three Orioles hitters. Ryan Mountcastle then blooped an RBI-single to center. However the bases remained loaded.

Jordan Westburg would ground out to give the Birds their second run. Ramon Urias would also walk in a run, and James McCann would come up later in the inning with the bases still loaded. Now the good news is that McCann drove in the Orioles’ fourth run. The bad news is it came in the wake of McCann getting hit square in the nose with a 95 MPH fastball.

McCann was down on the field for some time. There was a lot of blood, needless to say. BUT…McCann stayed in the game. He took his base at first. His toughness and grit can’t be questioned. He wasn’t coming out of the game, despite the fact that nobody would have blamed him for doing so.

Ramon Urias would add an RBI-ground out in the last of the third, and Ryan O’Hearn a sac fly-RBI in the fourth. Later in the fourth inning Jordan Westburg added an RBI-double. The Birds held a 7-0 lead, however Toronto did get on the board in the fifth with a three-run homer by Barger.

However the O’s weren’t done. Far from it. After a sac fly-RBI by Colton Cowser in the last of the fifth, Anthony Santander added a two-run homer. Toronto would add two additional nominal runs thanks to Guerrero, one of which was a solo homer. And wouldn’t you know it, the Birds had a solo homer out of Ryan Mountcastle still in them in the eighth. Because of course Ryan Mountcastle homered against Toronto!

The story of course is James McCann and his serious HBP. Not to mention the part about him staying in the game. That’s grit and determination for you. There’s no question he has to have a broken nose. McCann’s been a big part of what’s happened with this franchise the past couple of seasons, and with what we saw out of him today he etched his name forever into Oriole lore. That sort of grit is about as Baltimore as it gets.

The series continues in just a few moments at Camden Yards. Cade Povich gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Bowden Francis. Game time is set for…whenever the Orioles set the game time!

Baltimore Orioles: Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins save the day

Albert Suarez was “gritty” today for the Baltimore Orioles. He was lifted needing one out to leave the game in line to be the winner. However manager Brandon Hyde thought it more important to piecemeal an effort by the bullpen if that was what it was going to take to win. Suarez’s line: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K.

One interesting thing; the Orioles’ rally started while they were in the field in the third inning. You read that correctly. With a runner on second, Gunnar Henderson caught a line drive that was destined for the outfield. James McCann threw the runner out trying to steal a moment later. That could have gone south quick, but it didn’t.

And Oriole bats would follow suit in the bottom of the inning. They would load the bases with nobody out, and Gunnar Henderson would draw a walk to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Ryan O’Hearn would then drop a flare RBI-single into left field for an RBI-double. The bases remained loaded, and the runners had to wait to see if it would drop in…

…and Ryan Mountcastle would drive in two with a two-RBI single. Cedric Mullins would follow with a two-RBI double, and the Orioles would lead 6-0. However would it be enough?

In theory, yes. But San Diego would put three across in the fifth, chasing Suarez. The runs came on a run-scoring single, a double, and a GIDP. And the plot slightly thickened.

But it thickened further down the line. Bogaerts’ two-run homer in the sixth tightened it up to 6-5. And the momentum appeared to be on San Diego’s side. With a doubleheader in the division tomorrow, the O’s needed this game.

And it appeared that San Diego was going to make some noise in the eighth. Machado sent a deep liner to dead center field. I’m not sure it was destined to go out, but it appeared to be at least a triple. Cedric Mullins went on a dead sprint towards the wall, which was the only chance the Orioles had…

…at the 11th hour he lunged out, and caught the ball. It was perhaps the best catch in MLB all year. And it came in a moment where the Orioles desperately needed it. It’s a play that should rightfully appear on highlight reels this season.

But the O’s still needed insurance. And they got it in the last of the eighth. Ryan Mountcastle’s two-RBI double extended the lead to 8-5. Yennier Cano ran into some bad luck in the ninth when he loaded the bases due to an error and a couple of infield hits. And then…

…it was over. Or was it? Profar appeared to GIDP to end the game. However the runner took out Gunnar Henderson on the base paths. And it was called a double-play. However San Diego challenged, and the call was overturned. The second out was awarded, but so was San Diego’s sixth run.

Brandon Hyde was ejected arguing the call. And rightfully so. Needless to say, it was a curious call. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a defender taken out, interference called, and then reversed – with the game on the line like that. However end of the day, you win and move on.

The same is true with the Gunnar Henderson errors in the past few games – including today. You chalk it up as an anomaly. His overall body of work speaks for itself. If you scrutinize over a ln admittedly poor stretch of five games in the field, nobody will ever be a franchise player.

Toronto now comes to town tomorrow for a four-game set, starting with a doubleheader tomorrow at Camden Yards. The Orioles are yet to announce a starter for game one (however it’s expected to be newly-acquired Zach Eflin), but whomever starts will be opposed by Toronto’s Yariel Rodriguez. Game time is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Is it time to freak out?

To answer the question I posed in the title regarding the Baltimore Orioles, NO. Teams go through funks over 162 games. Often more than one. Unfortunately this afternoon, today’s “victim of the funk” was starter Dean Kremer, who you could argue shouldn’t have even given up a run. Kremer’s line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R (1 earned), 1 BB, 7 K.

Again, teams go through funks. You can look at every recent World Series champion and see that truth. And in a sport like baseball, if you start doing draconian things due to a funk as such, you’ve already lost the war. Instead it’s better to convey calm, and a total lack of anxiety. Even if the truth is starkly different from that. Basically, steer the ship steady as she goes, and stay the course. (Incidentally, good life advice also.)

Kremer found himself with runners at the corners and two outs in the second inning. One unforced mistake Kremer did make was disengaging twice. That meant that if did do again without picking the runner off, it was a balk. This allowed the runner to steal second base.

However you figure that with two outs, maybe it won’t make a difference. And it didn’t, when Higashioka popped the ball up on the left side of the infield. That is…until it did matter. Gunnar Henderson and Ramon Urias appeared to miscommunicate and collide, allowing the ball to drop. Two unearned runs scored, and the O’s trailed 2-0.

At first that was ruled an error on Gunnar Henderson. However the shortstop is the quarterback of the infield, and Henderson clearly and emphatically called for the ball. A few moments later that was changed to an E5 on Urias. It’s a team effort, however regardless of who was charged with the error that falls on Urias to hear Henderson calling him off.

Machado’s RBI-double in the third extended the lead to 3-0. That’s the lone earned run that Dean Kremer surrendered, however again you could argue it should have never happened. It went under Urias’ glove at third. While not an error, it’s a play you expect Urias to make.

San Diego would score again in the fourth, and this time the error was on Gunnar Henderson. On what should have been a tailor-made double-play, Henderson threw the ball into the camera well. When things aren’t going well, they flat out aren’t going well. Following Kremer’s departure after the sixth, Machado also launched a three-run homer in the seventh, followed by a sac fly-RBI by Merrill.

The Orioles did show some life in the seventh. And that’s the silver lining in this game. Maybe there were signs of the O’s coming out of their latest slumber. Cedric Mullins’ two-RBI double cut the lead to 8-2. San Diego would add an additional run in the ninth, however Mullins would also smack a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning. However the O’s still fell, 9-4.

Again, if you do something draconian you’ve already lost. They just need to work their way out of this, and that process hopefully started late in the game today, and continues tomorrow. Here’s one thing though; we all know the Orioles rely on the home run ball. Opposing teams know this also…

…ever notice the O’s are getting a lot of pitches out of the strike zone? And yet, they’re swinging. Teams know they’re looking for home run pitches, so they’re nibbling. Or you swing at balls you’re going to get balls.

The series with San Diego concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Al Suarez gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by San Diego’s Randy Vasquez. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Zach Eflin to the Birds

In the wake of the Austin Hays trade earlier, the Baltimore Orioles have bolstered their starting rotation. The O’s traded with Tampa for RHP Zach Eflin this afternoon, according to multiple sources. Neither team has confirmed the trade as of this moment.

In return, the O’s sent minor leaguers Matthew Etzel, Jackson Baumeister, and Mac Horvath. Eflin was Tampa’s Opening Day starter, for the record. He was also a part of the 2022 Philadelphia Phillies who went to the World Series. Needless to say, he has postseason experience.

While he’s had injury problems, he’s a valuable piece. Not a front end starter by any means, but he’ll bolster the Orioles’ rotation. He’s also under team control through 2025, which probably made him more attractive to the O’s given Kyle Bradish’s injury problems.

Again, neither team has confirmed this. But multiple sources have reported the trade – it’s happening.

Baltimore Orioles trade Austin Hays

The Baltimore Orioles have parted with Austin Hays. He was shipped up the road to Philadelphia this morning as part of a trade. In return, the Orioles did acquire some pitching, in the form of Seranthony Dominguez. They also received OF Cristian Pache.

Dominguez has appeared in 230 games over parts of six seasons with Philadelphia. he has an ERA of 3.55 during that time period. Pache is hitting .202 this year. What‘s unclear is why these moves are being made.

I maintain that it spits in the face of conventional wisdom to trade an active piece of your team when you’re a World Series contender. However Philadelphia obviously is doing the same thing – so there’s that. I suspect that Dominguez at least will end up on the bullpen. Could this simply be the Orioles clearing space for someone else?

Time will tell, but Austin Hays was a solid Oriole for a long time. He’s well deserving of Birdland’s respect and gratitude as he goes to Philadelphia. AND…there’s every chance that we see him again this year down the line.

Baltimore Orioles: Get too close to the forest you can’t smell the trees

Chayce McDermott made his big league debut this evening for the Baltimore Orioles. The Birds are in a spot where they need major league starters – in the wake of three different pitchers getting Tommy John’s earlier this season. So tonight it fell to McDermott, who was called up from triple-A Norfolk, McDermott’s line: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K.

McDermott sent Miami down 1-2-3 in the first inning, but struggled a bit in the second. He did get out of the inning however, only for things to flare up again in the fourth. Bell smacked a solo homer, and Miami would also get an RBI-single by Edwards and a sac fly-RBI by Gordon.

However the O’s did load the bases in three sixth. And Colton Cowser’s bases-clearing double promptly tied the game at three. For what it’s worth, the runners came as a result of two singles and a walk.

But it wasn’t enough. Miami put two runners on in the seventh as a result of a walk and a base hit. In between those two things, Oriole reliever Cionel Perez uncorked a wild pitch. However the runner at first went to second on a sacrifice bunt. That left two runners in scoring position, and Chisolm’s two-RBI double gave Miami their lead back at 5-3. De La Cruz’s subsequent RBI-single extended it to 6-3.

And the O’s couldn’t muster anything more. However consider the one inning (the 6th) when they did score. they loaded the bases with two hits and a walk. Miami also pulled back ahead as a result of small things – a stolen base on the heels of a wild pitch, followed by a hit.

The Orioles are thinking big, and that’s no mystery. They’ve had their eyes on October since Spring Training. But as the saying says, sometimes if you get too close to the first you can’t smell the trees. This is a team that relies on home runs. Perhaps a little too much. They’re sitting on home run pitches, and opposing teams know this. Meaning those home run pitches aren’t going to come.

The one time the O’s did make an impact they took what Miami was hocking. If that meant one base at a time, that’s what it meant. Now obviously, the O’s have their sights set on well beyond this series. But sometimes when you’re a team like Miami (and like the Orioles used to be) you aren’t focusing on winning in the here and now. You’re focusing on building. That makes it easier to focus on fundamentals such as bunts, singles, and steals. This as opposed to hitting the ball out of the ballpark.

The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at loanDepot Park. Corbin Burnes gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Miami’s Roddery Munoz. Game time is set for just after noon.

Baltimore Orioles: A costly loss

The Baltimore Orioles may have lost more than a game in Miami tonight. Whether they lose any ground to New York remains to be seen, but that’s another story. Al Suarez figures into this headline, but not how the Birds’ starting pitcher would have wanted. Suarez’s line: 2.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

The Orioles did jump out to an early lead. They got a couple of runners aboard in the first inning, and Jordan Westburg’s RBI-single got them on the board. But the bottom quickly fell out, with Sanchez’s solo homer in the last of the second tying the game, and acting as a harbinger.

Gordon’s RBI-single gave Miami the lead later in the inning, coming on the heels of a single, a stolen base, and a walk. Chisholm would later drive in two on a two-RBI double to center. That came following a freakish play where Sanchez grounded a ball off of Al Suarez’s foot, reaching base. Sort of a freak play, and not Suarez’s fault; but things happen when you get guys on base.

However the third inning would get the Orioles closer. Jordan Westburg grounded into a double-play with a runner on third, bringing them to within 4-2. Colton Cowser would force in another run hustling down the line on a swinging bunt, and beating the throw to first base. And the Birds were to within one. However Miami would post two more in the last of the third, and their bullpen kept the Birds off the board the rest of the way.

The 6-3 loss could be the least of the Orioles’ concerns, however. Jorge Mateo left the game in the third inning after appearing to get his left arm caught in between the field and Gunnar Henderson as the two tried to make a play in the infield. It was a tough sight to see, and Mateo left the field in essence in a heap. It came across as the sort of injury that could sideline a player for awhile.

Albert Suarez also took a comebacker off his leg later in the inning, and was lifted. To be clear, Suarez was struggling at the time and may have been lifted anyways. But that didn’t help.

I’d be shocked if Mateo isn’t sent to the IL. Who comes up in his stead is anyone’s guess. Jackson Holliday could be in the mix, as could others. Such as Coby Mayo or Connor Norby. What the Birds really would miss is Mateo’s speed. It’s made a huge difference this season.

It’s worth mentioning that the Orioles’ bullpen pitched six scoreless innings. As good as Miami’s bullpen was tonight, that of the Orioles was as well. Ryan O’Hearn was also 2-for-3 with two hits, a walk, and an RBI.

The series continues tomorrow night at loanDepot Park. The Birds will start Chance McDermott (who’ll be making his big league debut), and he’ll be opposed by Miami’s Edward Cabrera. Game time is set for just after 6:40 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Late rally isn’t enough

Not an awful outing by Dean Kremer for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon in Texas. Not great either. End of the day, he pitched well enough to win. The bats couldn’t keep up today. Kremer’s line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K.

End of the day, neither side had very many opportunities. This was a pitcher’s duel from the beginning. Which is a stark difference from the first two games. But that’s how the ball rolls sometimes.

Kremer ran into trouble in the fourth when he walked two hitters, the second of which came with two outs. And as we know, teams have been able to harm the Orioles this season with two outs.

And today was no exception. That walk brought Heim to the plate, and he smacked a three-run home run. That broke a scoreless tie, and it also gave Texas its first lead of the series.

In fairness to Oriole pitching, the Birds went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position today. Shades of pre-All Star break. If even one of those runs scored, it’s a different game.

However the Orioles rallied. Anthony Santander’s two-run homer in the eighth inning cut the lead to 3-2. However the Birds couldn’t rally further, and they dropped the series finale.

However this was a largely successful opening series for the second half. Not just on the field for the Birds. The Orioles took two-of-three in the series with Texas, and New York dropped two-of-three against Tampa. The Orioles started the weekend a game up on New York, and they finish it up two.

The O’s will enjoy an off day tomorrow in Miami before opening a series there on Tuesday.

Baltimore Orioles’ Grayson Rodriguez shines, bats follow

Grayson Rodriguez became the second Baltimore Orioles’ starter to start off his second half in an outstanding manner. With one small blip in the radar, Rodriguez mowed down Texas hitters throughout his outing. And the fact that it was in Texas, his home state, had to be meaningful. Rodriguez’s line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K.

Luckily for Rodriguez, Oriole bats put in an equally strong effort. The O’s put runners at first and second with nobody out in the second, and Cedric Mullins laid down a bunt. And a good bunt at that. As Mullins hustled down the line, Texas starter Scherzer popped off the mound to field the ball on the third base side (of the mound). His throw to first however was errant, and a run scored with Mullins ending up at second base. (It was scored as a single and a run scored on an error.)

That brought Ramon Urias to the plate, and his two-RBI single extended the lead to 3-0. Urias would take second on the throw, and he would later score on an RBI-single by Anthony Santander. And save for a two-RBI single by Knizner in the last of the second (cutting the lead to 4-2), the O’s were off to the races.

Cedric Mullins extended the lead to a three-run margin at 5-2 with a solo homer in the third. Three innings later Jordan Westburg’s two-run shot blew the game wide open. Texas made every effort to go quietly in most of the rest of the game, save for Langford’s two-RBI double in the eighth. Of course, Ryan O’Hearn did come back in the ninth with a solo homer, and with the 7-4 win the Birds have taken the first two games of this series and this road trip.

This looks like a different team as compared to the version of the Orioles that limped to the finish line in the first half. That backs up the notion that there were some tired bats and arms across the roster as the first half closed, There’s still a long ways to go this year, but the O’s atoned for themselves well in the first two games of the second half. And with New York losing today, they now hold a two-game lead in the AL East (three up in the loss column).

The series with Texas concludes tomorrow at Globe Life Field. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Andrew Heaney. Game time is set for just after 2:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Anthony Santander blasts off the second half

Baltimore Orioles’ starter Corbin Burnes started Tuesday’s All-Star game. He also started the next game that was played at Texas’ Globe Life Field, that being last night. Burnes’ line: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 6 K.

That’s a bit of a statistical anomaly in a sense. The Orioles of course were playing their first series of the second half in the city where the All-Star game was being staged. And if we’re counting the All-Star game, Burnes was on very short rest, granted he only pitched the first inning on Tuesday. So look at it as a bullpen session.

As well as Burnes pitched last night, he was almost a sideshow. The Orioles’ offense, which had gone into hibernation as the first half ended, sprang to life. Adley Rutschman’s two-run homer in the first inning gave the Birds a 2-0 lead. In theory, that in and of itself would have been enough…

…but why allow people to talk about your stats with RISP, or how your bats are struggling? Why give the impression that you’re winning by de facto as opposed to in a legit manner? The Orioles made sure that wasn’t the case, and almost right after that two-run homer. Colton Cowser hit one of his own later in that first inning, and the Orioles led 4-0.

Texas would get one back on a solo homer by Lowe in the last of the second. But that was a blip on the radar. This although I’m sure people out there would have expected a shutout. However it’s tough to win a big league game. If you’re winning at all, you’re doing something right.

The reason I said above that Corbin Burnes was almost a sideshow last night is due to Anthony Santander. Remember, he was the lone Oriole who got on base in Tuesday’s All-Star game. And he picked up right where he left off last night.

Santander extended the lead to 6-1 in the fifth with a two-run homer. Two innings later he smacked a three-run shot, giving the Orioles a 9-0 lead. And the bullpen shut Texas down, as the Birds took game one of the series.

For those who care about such things, the O’s were 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position. Many will criticize the fact that all of the Orioles’ runs came off of homers. But again, if you’re winning you’re doing something right.

The series continues tonight at Globe Life Field. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Max Scherzer. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.