Baltimore Orioles done in by two-run homers, Gunnar Henderson with a web gem

The Baltimore Orioles opened up a nine-game road trip in Phoenix last night with Kyle Gibson on the mound. The Orioles opened the night with a magic number of 27 to clinch the division. Because Tampa lost, it went down to 27, however the O’s came out flat in game one in Phoenix. Gibson’s line: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Ryan O’Hearn smacked an RBI-single in the top of the first to give the O’s a 1-0 lead. However in the last of the first we saw a fluky type of play which sometimes happens to the Orioles. And has for years upon years it seems.

Arizona’s Marte hit a bouncer down the third base line. Ramon Urias charge the ball, but it took a funny hop and evaded his glove. Luckily Gunnar Henderson backed up the play (which was ruled a base hit), preventing Marte from getting a double. However it didn’t matter; Gurriel smacked a two-run homer in the next at-bat.

Unfortunately that fluky sort of play set the tone. All things being the same, had that play been made it would have been a tie game. However the game wasn’t without a major highlight from the Orioles. With one out and runners at the corners in the last of the fourth, Ahmed sent a lazy pop fly into shallow left. Gunnar Henderson ran out from shortstop and made a basket catch.

The runner at third had apparently already decided to tag up and try to score. Aggressive for sure given the depth of the fly ball, but it also took a perfect throw to nail the runner at home plate. However Henderson made a perfect throw, and combined with Adley Rutschman’s perfect tag, the O’s got out of the inning with a 6-2 double-play.

Arizona would extend their lead to 4-1 on Walker’s two-run homer. Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI-double in the eighth would bring the O’s to within two at 4-2, however they couldn’t get any closer. And the Birds dropped game one in the desert.

The series continues this evening at Chase Field. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Arizona’s Slade Cecconi. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall in finale with ChiSox

The good news for the Baltimore Orioles today was that they picked up where they left off last night. The bad news is that they didn’t continue that trend as the game moved on, behind starter Kyle Gibson – who similarly started strong but cooled off. Gibson’s line: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

However again, the O’s started strong out of the box. Anthony Santander’s RBI-double in the last of the first got the Orioles on the board. Ryan O’Hearn and Adam Frazier followed with RBI-singles, and Jordan Westburg’s sac fly-RBI extended the Oriole lead to 4-0. This after one inning.

However Chicago bounced back. Two separate two-run home runs in the second inning swiftly tied the score. As I mentioned above, Gibson didn’t walk anyone. And these results combined with that stat does actually mean something. Gibson was getting TOO MUCH of the strike zone. He was dealing, and they were swinging.

Robert’s solo homer in the third gave ChicAgo a 5-4 lead. All in all, the ChiSox put up three runs in the inning, and led the O’s 7-4. However Anthony Santander would inch the Birds closer with a solo homer in the bottom of the inning, which cut the lead to 7-5.

But that was as close as the Orioles would ever be in this game. Anderson’s two-RBI triple in the sixth ran the lead to 9-5. Benintendi followed with an RBI-double, and the O’s dropped the series finale (and the finale of the home stand), 10-5.

You never want to lose games, especially against a team such as Chicago that you should beat. But we can also quickly forget how hard it is to sweep someone. Look no further than the fact that the Orioles themselves haven’t been swept since early last season to drive that point home. But if you keep on winning the majority of your series’, you’re going to be in the postseason in the end. And mark my words, the Orioles will be.

Baltimore Orioles: It’s Anthony Santander’s world, we just live in it

The Baltimore Orioles got a quality start out of Dean Kremer this evening at Camden Yards. Unfortunately that stat is probably lost to most, as Kremer didn’t qualify for the win. He was non-decisioned, but only missed out on the win by virtue of when the O’s took the lead. Kremer’s line: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

Kremer’s line lackadaisical pitch was in the top of the third on a solo homer by Sosa. And you’re going to make bad pitches here and there. You just hope that one doesn’t cost you a game. Luckily it didn’t.

Adam Frazier tied the game at one with an RBI-single in the last of the fifth. Kremer exited after pitching no part of the seventh, his quality start in tact. This despite the tie. But the best was yet to come.

It was 1-1 going into the last of the seventh. The Orioles worked the count and loaded the bases with Anthony Santander coming to the plate. With a two strike count, Santander sent a bases-clearing double to right field, giving the Birds a 4-1 lead. But that wasn’t the end…

…and not by a long shot at that. The O’s would extend their lead to 5-1 on Cedric Mullins’ fielder’s choice-RBI. That in and of itself gave the O’s a little bit of cushion. This in that it was no longer a save situation.

The O’s would bust it wide open later in the inning on Ryan McKenna’s two-RBI double. McKenna would almost immediately notice that the ChiSox pitcher wasn’t really paying attention, and he stole third base. He would later score on Adley Rutschman’s RBI-single.

You have to hand it to McKenna. He was maligned for much of the season following game two when he dropped a fly ball in Boston. But he’s thrived as we’ve gone forward, despite being sent to triple-A once.

Santander would come back up later in the eighth, providing a two-RBI single. Chicago would push across two nominal runs in the ninth, and the O’s went home with a 9-3 win. In taking the series, the Orioles have equaled their 2022 win total at 83. Tbey’re 34 games over .500, and they have the best record in the American League.

The series concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Dylan Cease. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: A victory with pop music royalty in the house

Grayson Rodriguez and the Baltimore Orioles put on a show this evening at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and with a special guest in the house at that. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Joan Jett toon in tonight’s game, and had to have been impressed with what she saw. Rodriguez’s line: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Jett of course is a legendary Orioles “super fan.” Her family came to Maryland when she was a young girl, and she got into the the local team, that being the Orioles. She had already joined the Birds earlier in the season in Tampa. She also committed to returning before all was said and done this season during an interview on MASN. Question is, will that happen in September, or…October?!

Ryan O’Hearn’s two-RBI single in the last of the third put the Orioles on the board and gave them a 2-0 lead. One inning later Ryan McKenna scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 3-0. But the Orioles were just getting warmed up.

Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI-single later in the fourth extended the lead to 4-0. However how often have we said that this team does it’s best work late? Usually that happens when they’re trailing – or at least it happens in a more poignant manner, that is. But even with the Orioles already leading, the Birds still did their best work late.

Ryan McKenna’s two-RBI single in the eighth blew the game wide open, with the Orioles leading 6-0. Later in the inning with two on, Anthony Santander’s three-run homer onto the flag court extended the Oriole lead to 9-0. If the game wasn’t already over before, it was over then. And the Orioles took game one of the series, 9-0. And securing the Orioles’ 82nd win of the season, clinching a second straight winning record.

One more point about Joan Jett’s visit. As I said, she mentioned on MASN that she’d like to come back to a game this season. I think it’s important for the Orioles to highlight and lift up the fans during the push in the playoffs come October. Joan Jett, being a member of the Orioles’ fan base, is representative of the fans. Who better to sing the National Anthem on national television before a playoff game?!

The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Jesse Scholtens. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles shine in wake of Bautista injury

Kyle Bradish was taxed with steadying the Baltimore Orioles’ ship in the wake of closer Felix Bautista being injured on Friday. And he did his job, along with the rest of the team. The Birds dazzled the sellout crowd at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, telling fans that things were going to be okay. Bradish’s line: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K.

Before the game Brandon Hyde and GM Mike Elias updated the media on Bautista’s condition. He was put on the IL, and it appears that there was at least “some damage” to the UCL. Whether the eventuality ends up being Tommy John’s surgery or not remains to be seen. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the O’s, but…next man up. Many people thought the season was over when Ryan Mountcastle got injured – and that was on Memorial Day. Instead itt made them stronger. You have to hope this will also.

Colorado took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI-single by Blackmon and an RBI-groundout by Tovar. However the O’s came back – as has been their way this year. Austin Hays was thrown out at home plate on a fielder’s choice by Ramon Urias. However the Orioles challenged the play, arguing that the Colorado catcher was blocking home plate. And the challenge was upheld, cutting the Colorado lead to 2-1.

One inning later the Birds took the lead when Ryan Mountcastle smacked a two-RBI double. Austin Hays’ RBI-groundout would extend the lead to 4-2. Anthony Santander would hit an RBI-double of his own in the seventh, and the Birds held a 5-2 lead.

Colorado would put two more across in the eight, cutting the lead to one as Yennier Cano was tabbed to record the save in Bautista’s stead. But before he even threw a pitch there was controversy. The umpires ruled that his glove needed to be replaced, which enraged managed Brandon Hyde:

I guess he patted his glove with the rosin bag. They wanted him to get the rosin off. Then they asked for a towel, and they felt like we needed a wet towel. And then he just needed a new glove. Unfortunately, that kind of killed the moment and the vibe, and the anxiousness heightened. But give Yenny a ton of credit for dealing with some adversity in that moment and coming out and throwing some great sinkers and changeups.

Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports

Luckily for the Orioles that seemed to inspire Cano, and he sent Colorado down 1-2-3 in the ninth. Hopefully that’s an omen for the rest of the team in the wake of the Bautista injury. Incidentally this was the Orioles’ 81st win, which clinched their second consecutive non-losing season.

The series concludes this afternoon at Camden Yards. Jack Flaherty gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Colorado’s Ty Blach. Game time is set for just after 1:35 PM,

Baltimore Orioles: Felix Bautista injured in Birds’ win

Cole Irvin wasn’t perfect, however the Baltimore Orioles picked him up in the end. However did this win over Colorado cost the O’s something precious, that being closer Felix Bautista? I guess we’re going to find out. Irvin’s line: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

The O’s took the lead early with Ryan Mountcastle’s solo homer in the last of the first. The ball bounced off the grounds crew’s shed in right field, and back in play. Mountcastle appeared to slide in safely at third, only to score on what would have been an error. But the umpires ruled it a homer; either way that gave the O’s a lead. Gunnar Henderson also added a sac fly-RBI, and the Birds led 2-0.

However Colorado put up four runs quickly. Diaz’s RBI-double in the third and Trejo’s sac fly-RBI in the fourth tied the game. Tovar’s two-run homer in the fifth gave them a 4-2 lead.

However the O’s were having none of this team coming into Camden Yards on a Friday night – a City Connect night to be exact – and beating them. Austin Hays brought them to within one with a solo homer in the last of the sixth. But it was the last of the eighth where the Birds did their big damage. Gunnar Henderson’s three-run homer out the Orioles back in the lead at 5-4.

Colorado just finished a series with Tampa where their hearts were broken a few times. And the Orioles have done it to many other teams thus far this year. They do their best work late.

However the big story of the game takes an unfortunate turn. Felix Bautista had two outs and a two-strike count in the top of the ninth, and he fell off the mound after throwing a pitch. Manager Brandon Hyde and team trainers immediately came out to check on him, and almost immediately lifted Bautista in favor of Danny Coulumbe, who recorded the final out.

Brandon Hyde said after the game that Bautista had “arm discomfort,” and that he wanted to go into no more detail than that. Make no mistake that this could be a huge loss to the team if Bautista needs to miss any time. However they have a next man up mentality. While losing Bautista might hurt a little, someone else will just have to step up. They always do.

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

Baltimore Orioles continue dominance over Toronto

The Baltimore Orioles had already won the season series with Toronto. But the winner of last night’s game would have won the series – which is meaningful. Not to mention that Tampa had won earlier in the day, meaning that the Orioles needed to win to maintain their two-game lead in the AL East. Luckily they got an outstanding outing from starter Kyle Gibson, not to mention their own offense. Gibson’s line: 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K.

Gibson gave up two runs, both of which came in the fourth. And they were manufactured runs by Toronto, one on a force out and the other on a sac fly. However Toronto did lead 2-0 at that point. Luckily the game lasts more than four innings. – or more than three-and-a-half…

…because the O’s immediately remedied the problem. Anthony Santander blasted a two-run homer onto Eutaw Street in the last of the fourth. That tied the game at two, erasing Toronto’s lead. One inning later the Orioles had the lead themselves when Cedric Mullins sent a solo shot over the wall.

Later in the fifth Gunnar Henderson’s RBI-single extended the lead to 5-2. Toronto would narrow the lead to 5-3 with a solo homer by Belt in the sixth, but that was all the Orioles would surrender. Gibson pitched to a quality start with eight innings, and Felix Bautista closed the game out in the ninth. The O’s are 75-48, and they lead the American League East by two games.

The Orioles open up a three-game set with Colorado this evening at Camden Yards. Cole Irvin gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Colorado‘s Kyle Freeland. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: #RIPFlanny

I always said that so long as I was writing a column about Baltimore Orioles’ baseball, I’d always mark the death of former pitcher, broadcaster, and executive Mike Flanagan. As most fans remember, Flanny was found dead on his Baltimore County property on August 24, 2011. He’ll forever be thought of as an integral part of the Orioles and the history of the franchise.

Both the organization, and fans took the news hard. And that might be partly because Flanagan became such an integral part of the Baltimore community. He loved it here, despite never forgetting his New England roots. He raised his family here, and quickly became entrenched as a Baltimorean.

Flanagan of course will always be a lot of things, one of which is the last Oriole ever to pitch on the mound at Memorial Stadium. When asked about his long walk in from the bullpen that day, Flanny famously said that if he had gone any faster, he would have simply fallen over. That was only one of many poignant moments that day, of course.

Death is always tougher for those left behind. Certainly his family and friends bear the brunt of his absence. However he’s missed and always well-remembered in the Baltimore community and amongst the Orioles fans. Rest easy Flanny, and know that the team you loved so much is in a good place.

Baltimore Orioles lifted off by Anthony Santander

Dean Kremer was pushed up a day to make the start this evening for the Baltimore Orioles. This in place of Jack Flaherty, who was scratched. Luckily for the Birds, Kremer was up for the task – and he pitched to a quality start. Kremer’s line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

The O’s made some noise in this game early, but not necessarily in a good way. They left the bases loaded in the second, which in a sense is playing with fire when you’re in a pennant race. But they came back from that – and then some.

Ryan Mountcastle got back on Toronto’s bad side with an RBI-single in the last of the third. The Birds held that lead up for two innings, when Anthony Santander smacked a solo home run. And while the flood gates didn’t open in earnest for another couple of innings, that certainly foreshadowed what was to come.

It was Santander who began the Orioles’ final push. This with a second solo homer onto the flag court in the last of the eighth. Later in the inning the O’s had two on and an additional run scored on a throwing error. That’s why I always say that getting runners on is a big deal. Things happen when guys are on the base paths. All it takes is an error somewhere, and suddenly you’re in a place to score.

Cedric Mullins would add a sac fly, and Adley Rutschman’s two-RBI single would close out the scoring in the Orioles’ 7-0 win. This also marks the 70th consecutive series where the O’s haven’t been swept. A trend that’s starting to take on a life of it’s own.

The series concludes tomorrow evening at Camden Yards. The Birds are yet to announce a starter, but whomever he is, he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Jose Berrios. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall on late homer in extra’s

The Baltimore Orioles got a quality start this evening out of Grayson Rodriguez. That doesn’t mean he had his best stuff. But putting your team in a spot to win is the name of the game, and Rodriguez did that. Rodriguez’s line: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

The Orioles drew first blood, on Austin Hays’ RBI-double in the last of the first. However Toronto would ambush Grayson Rodriguez in the second, with Varsho smacking a two-run homer. The Birds actually appeared a bit on the desperate side in that inning, as later on Toronto had a runner on first with nobody out. And Kiermaier lined out to first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who tagged first base and tallied an unassisted double-play,

Mountcastle catching the liner on the fly in and of itself was a dramatic play. But he fell right next to first base, and tagged the bag as the runner tried to get back after taking his lead. Mountcastle had a rate game against Toronto where he was quiet at the plate, but his glove sure came in handy!

However Kiermaier would come up again in the fourth, and his RBI-double extended the Toronto lead to 3-1. But the O’s fought back, and it started with Jorge Mateo. More poignantly, it started with Jorge Mateo’s speed.

Mateo went to steal third base, and was able to score on a throwing error in the fifth. Jordan Westburg’s RBI-double would later tie the game at three. And the game remained tied at three, as the teams went to extra innings.

And Toronto’s Belt smacked a two-run homer on the first pitch of the tenth. Guerrero would later score on a wild pitch, and the Orioles trailed 6-3 the Birds went quietly in the last of the tenth, and went down to victory. Their margin over Tampa in the AL East is now two games.

The series continues tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Jack Flaherty gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Kevin Gasman. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.