Baltimore Orioles: Did Brandon Hyde botch the Craig Kimbrel injury situation?

Tough day for Baltimore Orioles’ pitching, namely Albert Suarez. And while Oriole bats did knock Oakland pitching around a bit, they didn’t put any runs across after the fourth inning. Suarez’s line: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

You have to give Oakland a fair amount of credit. With all of the politics going on with their team and its move, they’re frisky. This when they have every reason not to be. They set the tone early when Brown smacked a solo homer, and the O’s were behind, 1-0.

However the Birds put some runners on base in the immediate aftermath, and they tied the game at one when Cedric Mullins grounded out with a runner on third. However a moment later they took a 2-1 lead on an RBI-double by Colton Cowser.

However Oakland tied it back up on Bleday’s RBI-double in the third. They would almost immediately then take a 4-2 lead on Rooker’s two-RBI single. While all of the runs indubitably count, it’s worth mentioning that several of the hits Suarez surrendered were bloops or softly-hit pop up’s. While he did surrendered runs, he didn’t do it on hard-hit balls.

But…the O’s battled back immediately. Adley Rutschman smacked a solo homer in the last of the third, cutting the lead to 4-3. Ryan Mountcastle would later smack a two-run homer, and suddenly the Birds had the lead back. One inning later Ramon Urias’ first homer of the season extended the lead to 6-4.

Oakland would smack a solo homer off the bat of Nevin in the seventh, giving Craig Kimbrel a one-run lead in the ninth. After he threw five or six balls to start the inning, manager Brandon Hyde and the training staff came out to check on Kimbrel. And the fact is that if you add together Kinbrel’s rough outing Friday combined with this, it added up that maybe he was injured.

But Hyde opted to leave Kimbrel in the game. And he promptly gave up a two-run homer to McCann which gave Oakland a 7-6 lead. At which point Hyde and the training staff came back out, and promptly removed him. A few moments later, Oakland closed out a 7-6 win, taking two-of-three from the Birds at Camden Yards.

As I write this, it’s unclear what the issue with Kimbrel is. However it appears he’s injured. Which poses a bunch of problems to the Orioles following today. However in the interim, should Brandon Hyde have lifted Kimbrel the first time he went out?

The obvious answer is yes. But we don’t know what was said, how Kimbrel was feeling, etc. It’s a tough way to lose to a team the O’s should have beaten, but the more pressing issue is what happens with Craig Kimbrel going forward. The IL is an obvious possibility, which is a problem. But let the record show that Hyde may have made a miscalculation in leaving Craig Kimbrel in the game.

The O’s begin a huge series with the NYY tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by NY’s Clarke Schmidt. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Updated: Craig Kimbrel has upper back soreness according to Brandon Hyde.

Baltimore Orioles: Big innings, homers, and pitching wins ballgames

Cole Irving got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon following a tough loss to Oakland last night. As a result, the Birds needed a big outing from a starter today. And Cole Irvin delivered it for them. Irvin’s line: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

It begins and ends with starting pitching. I’ve said that A LOT over the years of penning this column. Both in the context of good performances, as well as lackluster. Today it was in the category of the former. And Irvin’s effort helped get the O’s back on track after Friday.

However Oakland’s starter Sears was decent also. At least he was the first time through the order. As can often happen with good hitters however, he was figured out after that. Anthony Santander and Jordan Westburg smacked RBI-doubles in the last of the fourth, followed by an RBI-single by James McCann. And the Birds were off to the races.

One inning later the O’s broke it wide open. Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle each sent solo homers over the wall in the fifth. And in the last of the seventh Gunnar Henderson sent a two-run homer onto Eutaw Street. And the Orioles closed out a 7-0 win over Oakland.

We can discuss amongst ourselves what the definition of a “big inning” might be. But the Birds definitely got two “timely innings,” needless to say. That always helps. And combined with quality starting pitching, it’s deadly.

For what it’s worth, the Orioles are also looking to get both Kyle Bradish and John Means back in the very near future. Which helps bolster the rotation. While they didn’t want to have to send down Jackson Holiday, they sent him down to get some additional seasoning. We’ll certainly hear from him again sooner rather than later.

The series with Oakland concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Albert Suarez gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Oakland’s Paul Blackburn. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles hold onto defeat Anaheim, take series

Dean Kremer wanted to pitch into today’s game for longer than he did for the Baltimore Orioles tonight. But sometimes that’s not how things shake down. He was excellent for the O’s this afternoon, as they defeated Anaheim and took the series two games to one. The Orioles also took the season series with Anaheim. Kremer’s line: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 K.

The ten strikeouts stick out for sure. Kremer was good today, although he tired abruptly. He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

The Birds took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Gunnar Henderson smacked a solo homer. Two innings later Adley Rutschman’s RBI-single doubled the lead to 2-0. Jorge Mateo and Gunnar Henderson would add RBI-singles of their own in the sixth (Henderson’s was a two-RBI single), and the Orioles led 5-0.

The O’s would tack on one more later in the inning when Ryan Mountcastle grounded into a double-play with a runner at third, scoring one more run. The O’s appeared to be coasting. But that one run meant the world in the end.

Anaheim chipped away. Trout and Ward smacked homers in the last of the sixth. Ward’s was a two-run shot, and that cut the lead in half at 6-3. Neto would add a solo shot in the eighth, However as we went to the ninth, Anaheim put a runner on third base due to a throwing error. That runner would score on O’Hoppe’s RBI-groundout.

With the lead at one, closer Craig Kimbrel walked a runner with two outs. That runner attempted to steal, however Adley Rutschman threw him out at second base to end the game.

End of the day, it’s a win. And a series win. But you don’t want to do it holding on like that. However again, a win’s a win.

Baltimore Orioles: The Magic of Disney for Albert Suarez

The Baltimore Orioles opened a series in Los Angeles last night. Technically Anaheim – Disney. You get the idea. The Birds sent Albert Suarez to the mound for what amounts to another spot start, and they got exactly what they needed out of him. Suarez’s line: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

For Suarez, it was his first MLB win since June of 2016. This about that; you think a few things have happened since then?! Suarez pitched well for the Birds in his last outing, but didn’t qualify for the win. Manager Brandon Hyde commented after the game:

I thought he made some nice adjustments in the game. Him and [catcher James] McCann started working well together. They started throwing a lot more changeups and cutters. Hitters couldn’t just sit fastball on him. Once again, he gave us a great start.

Quote courtesy of Brent Maguire, MLB.com

Speaking of James McCann, he got the O’s started on the scoreboard in the second inning with a solo homer. Adley Rutschman’s RBI-single an inning later padded the lead. In his next turn at bat, Rutschman tacked on an RBI-double, this in the top of the fifth. Colton Cowser would also homer in the seventh.

And it’s a darned good thing he did. Anaheim mounted a semi-comeback. Adell got them on the board in the last of the seventh with a solo homer. Schanuel’s RBI-single later in the inning cut the lead to 4-2. However the Oriole bullpen was able to button things up, and the Birds went onto a 4-2 victory.

The series continues tonight at Angel Stadium. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Anaheim’s Griffin Canning. Game time is set for just after 9:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Series win in Kansas City

The Baltimore Orioles came into today needing a strong start out of Cole Irvin, following two long outings for the Oriole bullpen. And they got it. Irvin turned in perhaps his best start with the orange and black this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, his part in defeating Kansas City. Irvin’s line: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K.

Irvin pitched to contact, something we’ve seen a lot out of the Orioles thus far in 2024. Which is only possible if your pitchers are overpowering hitters. And Oriole pitchers are doing just that. But it’s not being done in turn to Oriole hitters. Which again, is a good trend.

The O’s got back-to-back solo homers in the third inning. Colton Cowser went yard, followed by Jordan Westburg. Now again, both of those were solo homers. But they count as runs, and it means the opponent needs to score two (and then three) in order to beat you. They add up.

The Birds struck again in the sixth. Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI-double plated Anthony Santander, and extended the lead to 3-0. The O’s would then proceed to load the bases, and Jordan Westburg drew a walk. And the O’s led , 4-0.

And when you have a lead and get good pitching (starting pitching and relief), you’re good to go. The Orioles shut down Kansas City bats the rest of the way, and coasted to a 5-0 victory. Yes, 5-0; they got a pinch hit infield RBI-single from Ramon Urias in the ninth. And they left Kansas City with a game and a series victory.

One thing of note; Jackson Holliday’s struggles since coming to the big leagues have been well-documented. This at the plate; we did see him make an outstanding play in the field today at second base. However I noticed that he’s getting victimized on the corners of the plate. Anything borderline is being called a ball.

Now it’s fair to question what he’s done to deserve getting borderline pitches. However opposing pitchers are also taking notice, and in short they’re nibbling on the corners. They know that if it’s close, Holliday may well look at it, and they’ll get the call. Just an observation.

The O’s now head to Los Angeles to open a three-game set at Angel Stadium. Al Suarez gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by LA’s Reid Detmers. Game time is set for just after 9:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Tougher than it needed to be, but take the W

The Baltimore Orioles became the first visiting team to win at Kauffman Stadium tonight since Kansas City’s first home series. But despite a huge second inning for Oriole bats, the game was a dog fight at the end, forcing starter Corbin Burnes to sweat things out a bit. Burnes’ line: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

The O’s put seven runs on the board in the second inning. They got things started with an RBI-double by Ramon Urias, and RBI-singles by James McCann, Adley Rutschman, and Ryan Mountcastle. In effect, the O’s piecemealed a big inning together. Fact is you’ll take runs anyway you can get them. Just like you’ll take wins anyway you can get one.

Before the second inning ended, Anthony Santander added an RBI-double, and Jordan Westburg a two-RBI single. The Orioles batted around in that second inning, knocking Kansas City starter Ragans out of the game early. Which bodes well for tomorrow.

However even though the bats came alive and Burnes was coasting, the Orioles mate have thought to tomorrow slightly early. And Kansas City can be deadly when you look past them in the moment. And it started happening in the last of the sixth when Burnes started to tire.

Perez smacked a three-run homer following a double and a walk. That caused Burnes’ exit, however he still left with the lead. The O’s would further extend their lead to 8-3 in the seventh when Austin Hays scored on a Pass Ball at home plate. Then the last of the seventh happened.

One way Kansas City wins games is by wearing you down. They grind and they wear out your pitching, similar to the Tampa Rays. With runners already on base, Yohan Ramirez entered the game, hit a batter, and then allowed a run on a Pass Ball. That cut the lead to 8-4.

Kansas City would then get an RBI-single by Garcia, and a two-RBI single by Perez. This following grueling at-bats that took a lot of energy out of the Birds. One inning later however Anthony Santander would tack on an insurance run with an RBI-double. And luckily, the pitching situation calmed down in the eighth and ninth, giving the O’s a 9-7 victory.

It’s worth mentioning that Anthony Santander had the two biggest plays of the game. The first one was the insurance run late. However he also made a diving catch on a fly ball in the ninth inning that turned a base hit on a bloop into an out. This game shouldn’t have been as close as it is. But Santander wanted it more than Kansas City in a sense. While that goes as a standard fly ball out, make no mistake it was one of the biggest play in the game.

Sometimes you have games like this. It didn’t need to be that tough to win this game (following a seven-run inning). But it was, although the important part is that the Orioles won it. Do you want a hard win that you had to grit out more so than a game you ultimately lost? The answer is an emphatic YES, 100% of the time.

The series concludes tomorrow at Kauffman Stadium. Cole Irvin gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Kansas City’s Seth Lugo. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Attention to detail

Dean Kremer came within an out of a quality start last night in Kansas City. However he didn’t get get run support until after he left the game, and Kansas City ended up piling on anyways. Kansas City, who’s young and underrated, that is. Kremer’s line: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 3 K.

The Birds appeared to be getting things churning early. Gunnar Henderson was hit by a pitch and Adley Rutschman followed with a base hit to start the game. They both moved into scoring position on a groundout. However Henderson was picked off third, and Anthony Santander flew out to end the inning.

My personal opinion is that Henderson was safe on the pickoff play. It looked to me like his hand got back into the bag before the tag. But the call was upheld on instant replay. However the bigger issue is getting picked off at all. You can’t let that happen that early in the game. All things being the same, it’s only one run. But if Santander’s fly out is a sac fly instead, you don’t know how the rest of the game unfolds.

Kremer dealt well, that is until the fourth when Pasquantino smacked a solo homer. He also gave up an RBI-single to Melendez in the fourth, and he was responsible for one of the runners on Massey’s two-RBI single in the sixth. Remfroe would add a two-RBI single of his own later in the inning, and the O’s trailed 6-0.

Kansas City took advantage of their opportunities in this game. At least early on, the Orioles didn’t. They posted a big inning, whereas the Orioles worked their way out of one early. Attention to detail wins you ballgames. In fact, it wins you anything in life.

But the O’s didn’t just take the “L.” Adley Rutschman smacked a grand slam in the seventh that put the Orioles right back into the game. But it didn’t last long. Melendez’s three-run homer in the last of that inning gave Kansas City a 9-4 lead, and they coasted to victory on this night.

I go back to the Henderson pickoff. You can’t know when it happens that you’re seeing one of the big inflection points of the ballgame. But you have to treat everything as such. Again, all things being the same that’s only one run. But that’s always a tough sell to make – “all things being the same.” Because all things wouldn’t have been the same. The Orioles would have had the lead.

The series continues this evening at Kauffman Stadium. Corbin Burnes gets the star for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Kansas City’s Cole Ragans. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: A small army scoring always bodes well

The Baltimore Orioles sent Grayson Rodriguez to the mound tonight against Minnesota, and he looked better than perhaps he’s looked since last season. Rodriguez stymied Minnesota hitters for most of his outing. Which bodes well going onward. Rodriguez’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K.

The O’s did get some bad news before the game. Tyler Wells went to the IL with elbow inflammation. Wells was scheduled to start tomorrow’s game, but that’s obviously no longer going to be the case.

The Orioles scored in bunches in this game. James McCann’s RBI-single in the second got them on the board. McCann would almost immediately score himself when Gunnar Henderson decided to hit the ball over the fence for a two-run homer.

The onslaught continued an inning later. Colton Cowser grounded out into an RBI, and Jordan Westburg’s two-run homer extended the lead to 6-0. And that’s key right there – it broke the game wide open. You have to put people away when you have the opportunity. The Orioles did it tonight.

But the Orioles weren’t done yet – in the game or in the inning. Gunnar Henderson’s RBI-single gave the Birds a 7-0 lead. Minnesota would get an RBI-triple in the fourth by Buxton, and an RBI-single in the sixth by Kiriloff. This sandwiched around another RBI-single for the O’s, this one by Colton Cowser. They would also get a two-RBI single by Anthony Santander in the last of the sixth, extending the lead to 9-2.

But the O’s weren’t totally done yet. Adley Rutschman walked to lead off the last of the eighth. That brought Ryan O’Hearn to the plate, and his two-run homer (upheld on replay for fan interference) ran the final to 11-2. I would also mention that Minnesota’s Byron Buxton tried to climb the wall in center to stop that homer. Despite the score being out of hand, he was still out there trying. He’s a gamer. He always has been. Minnesota would add an RBI-single in the ninth, and the O’s went home 11-3 winners, taking the series.

Everyone participated in this game. Everyone who played, that is. Every Orioles reached base. Jackson Holliday was the lone Oriole without a hit, but he did draw a walk – the first of his big league career. Many of those base runners came in to score. Which is key – the more runs you score the more they have to score to beat you.

The series concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Due to Tyler Wells going to the IL the Orioles have yet to announce a starter, but they’ll be facing Minnesota’s Pablo Lopez. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Cedric Mullins powers a win

There’ll be no waiting until the finale of this series with Minnesota to see if the Baltimore Orioles will extend their streak of series’ having not been swept. The Birds took care of business early on in this series, the opener of which was started by Cole Irvin – who didn’t stick around as long as he would have wanted, but such can be life. Irvin’s line: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K.

Personally I thought Irvin had something left in the tank. While he didn’t outwardly react, it appeared that when Brandon Hyde went out to get him, he wasn’t necessarily thrilled. However you have to trust that Hyde had reasons for pulling Irvin when he did.

Cedric Mullins dazzled fans before he even stepped to the plate. With the crowd still settling in during the top of the first, Minnesota’s Buxton sent a deep liner to center with two outs. It appeared to be by Mullins, and with a runner on second would have scored a run. But Mullins wasn’t having that. He extended all the way back towards his left, and with his face to the wall made an amazing catch to end the inning.

It goes in the scorebook as a fly ball out. But moments like that are intangible, and you can’t put a value on them. That was one of the best catches I’ve ever seen if I’m being honest. It’s right up there with Jim Edmonds’ catch for the Cardinals years ago.

And the Birds kept the momentum going quickly. Jordan Westburg’s two-RBI double in the bottom of the inning gave the O’s a 2-0 lead. Minnesota would cut that in half with Miranda’s second inning solo homer, but the Birds weren’t about to surrender the lead.

Ryan O’Hearn’s solo homer in the third extended the lead to 3-1, and Mullins’ sacrifice fly-RBI brought it to 4-1. Mullins, for his part, was really the workhorse of the night. Both offensively and defensively.

Minnesota would try to chip away with an RBI-single by Miranda in the fourth, but again it was Mullins who would stem the tide. He smacked deep two-run homer in the fifth which extended the lead to 6-2. One inning later Gunnar Henderson joined the homer parade with a solo shot. Jeffers would add a two-RNI double in the seventh to get Minnesota to within three, but that wasn’t ever going to be enough.

So this marks the 97th consecutive series the Orioles have played without getting swept. The last time that happened was May of 2022 at the hands of the Detroit Tigers. Is it a somewhat pointless streak? Yes. But is it worth mentioning? Absolutely.

It’s also worth mentioning that the O’s didn’t find it necessary to come back in this game. They led from the beginning, and they simply padded the lead. Interesting spot to be in if the rest of the young season is any indication.

The series continues tomorrow at Camden Yards. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Chris Paddack. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Jackson Holliday picked a good time to get on the board

The Baltimore Orioles brought the big leagues’ longest streak of not being swept into question today. If they lost to Milwaukee, the streak would be snapped – at 95 straight series’, it’s also the fourth longest in history. Corbin Burnes had a long slog of an outing, which amounted to a slog. Burnes’ line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 earned) 2 BB, 5 K.

Things started inauspiciously. Contreras hit the second pitch of the game out of the ballpark, giving Milwaukee a 1-0 lead. But the O’s came right back. Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-single in the last of the first tied things at one. One inning later, they had a 2-1 lead on a solo homer by Cedric Mullins.

However Milwaukee hoodwinked their way into tying the score. With two outs in the third and runners at the corners, Frelick attempted a steal of second base. However he had an awful jump, making one wonder if it was a failed hit-and-run attempt. But…with two outs?

While Frelick was caught in a rundown, Perkins crossed home plate, tying the score at two. Did Milwaukee purposely run into ending the inning to allow a run to score? Needless to say, it was a sneaky way of doing things.

But the Birds came back and took the lead on Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-single in the bottom of the inning. However Corbin Burnes committed a throwing error in the fourth, allowing a run to score which tied the score. Milwaukee would later take the lead in the seventh on a Perkins solo homer.

The Orioles looked defeated. And it wasn’t even due to the sweep streak. If there was ever a time to come back and fight another day, that might have been it. But championship teams can reach back and find a way.

Jordan Westburg led off the seventh with a single. That brought hit the still hitless Jackson Holliday to the plate. In possibly the biggest moment in the game to that point…

…needless to say, Holliday picked a great time for his first big league hit. And great placement – a tight liner down the right field line, allowing Westburg to go first to third. The entire park stood and gave Holliday a standing ovation. Deservedly so, but also due to the moment the Orioles were creating.

That brought Gunnar Henderson to the plate, and his RBI-single tied the game back up at 4. Adley Rutschman would then ground into a double-play, but with a runner on third and nobody out, that also scored a run. It was small and humble, but it gave the Birds a 5-4 lead. And “small and humble” has beaten the O’s all weekend. Turnabout is fair play.

The O’s would net an insurance run on a Colton Cowser solo homer in the eighth. But they went home winners today over Milwaukee, 6-4. Protecting the sweep streak, and extending it to 96 series’.

Heck of a moment for Jackson Holliday to get his first hit. Not only did it happen, but it did so in front of his entire family – including his Dad, former major leaguer Matt Holliday. And it made a huge difference in the flow of play.

The O’s welcome Minnesota into Camden Yards tomorrow night. Cole Irvin gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Louie Varland. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.