Baltimore Orioles avoid sweep, lifted late by Austin Hays

Kyle Bradish looked outstanding this afternoon for the Baltimore Orioles. The Birds we’re trying to avoid being swept for the first time this season, this potentially at the hands of the Texas Rangers. Bradish gave the Orioles a solid outing, putting them in a position to win the game. Bradish’s line: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

The Orioles took an immediate 1-0 lead in the game. Austin Hays’ RBI-single got them on the board in the first inning. Later in the inning Ryan Mountcastle’s sac fly-RBI would extend the lead to 2-0.

The only problem with that is that the Mountcastle fly out came with the bases loaded. And the Orioles were only able to get tone run. With the bags juiced and nobody out. That’s a huge problem.

And the fact is that Texas is a good team, And they showed it in the first two games of this series. And again today. You have to take opportunities as they come against good teams.

And sure enough, Texas’ bats eventually came to life. Semien’s RBI-double in the sixth got them on the board and cut the Birds’ lead in half. Texas also got a runner to third base in the eighth, and he scored on Seager’s RBI-double, tying the game at two.

However the O’s are a pretty good team also. In case you didn’t notice! They put runners at the corners in the top of the eighth with nobody out. This brought Austin Hays to the plate, abs his RBI-single gave the Orioles the lead back at 3-2.

And while everything worked out and the O’s took the win, they could have used more than one run there. Felix Bautista closed things out, but one run games are always tough. Insurance runs are always appreciated.

And with that, the O’s avoided being swept. While this series with Texas didn’t go quite according to plan, it’s always good to salvage at least one. And the fact is that Texas is a good team – as I said above. Just one win is better than being swept.

The O’s open up a three-game set tomorrow (Memorial Day) with the Cleveland Guardians at Camden Yards. Tyler Wells gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Logan Allen. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Have to tip your cap to Austin Voth

Things didn’t exactly as the Baltimore Orioles wanted on the night they debuted their City Connect uniforms. Gunnar Henderson pitched okay for three innings, and fell apart in the fourth. Henderson’s line: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 9 R (8 earned), 3 BB, 6 K.

The Orioles actually held an early lead in this game. Adley Rutschman’s solo homer in the last of the first put the Birds ahead, 1-0. But that was short-lived. Taveras’ two-run homer in the second gave Texas the lead at 2-1. Unfortunately for the O’s, that was a harbinger for the rest of the game.

Texas got an RBI-single by King in the fourth, followed by a two-run homer by Grossman. Following Grossman’s at-bat, they would proceed to load the bases. And with the bases loaded, Seager’s grand slam would finally chase Rodriguez to the showers, and Texas led, 9-1.

Jung would add an RBI-single before the inning ended, and the Birds trailed 10-1. However Austin Voth came into the game in Rodriguez’s place, and was solid. He brought the Orioles back to a place of stability, pitching 3.2 innings and striking out one. He gave up one run.

And that’s the story of the game for the O’s. Voth ate up innings and stemmed the tide. The result of the game itself was basically decided. However he saved one or two bullpen relievers. And that makes a huge difference going into tomorrow – and onward.

The O’s even mustered an additional run. Terrin Vavra’s RBI-single in the eighth cut the lead to 10-2. Now Texas would put two back on the board in the ninth, but who’s counting. And for what it’s worth, those runs came against…Ryan McKenna. For the first time this year, we saw a position player pitch.

The series continues tomorrow at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Andrew Heaney. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Kyle Gibson owns the Bronx as Birds pull away late

Kyle Gibson was outstanding for the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium tonight. The Birds keep stockpiling wins and quality starts. Not to mention series wins. And in this case, a win and a series win in the division. THAT is huge. Wells’ line: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K.

Gibson gave up a hit in the game’s opening at-bat, and didn’t surrender another until the seventh inning. Which was his last inning. He kept a fairly potent lineup at bay for quite some time. And that’s how you put yourself in a position to win games.

Of course however, Gibson could have pitched a perfect game. But it basically doesn’t matter unless you put runs on the board. And you have to rely on your bats to do that.

The O’s got an RBI-single from Anthony Santander in the fifth, giving them a 1-0 lead. Austin Hays added a two-RBI double in the eighth, extending the lead to 3-0. New York would get one back in the last of the ninth on Calhoun’s RBI-double, but on this night and in this series, the O’s were just too much. They took two-of-three in this series, winning this game 3-1.

And when your pitching is as good as the Orioles’ was tonight, that’s all you need! New York manager Aaron Boone was ejected in the third inning for arguing balls and strikes. So he wasn’t around to see the end. But the Birds are carefully writing the end of their story here in 2023. And so far, the ending appears to be favorable.

The O’s now head home to open up a three-game set with Texas at Camden Yards. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Jon Gray. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: The cream always rises to the top

It took longer than the Baltimore Orioles would have liked, but the Birds got the job done in the Bronx last night. The Orioles, and starter Tyler Wells, sat through an hour-and-a-half rain delay before starting last night’s game at Yankee Stadium. Wells’ line: 5.0 IP, 5 H 5 R, 2 BB, 8 K.

New York took an early lead on a two-run homer by Torres in the third. But Ryan Mountcastle’s solo shot an inning later acted as a harbinger for what was to come. Even still, before that could happen New York extended their lead to 5-1 on a two-run shot by Kiner-Falefa and Torres’ second homer of the game (a solo shot) the last of the fifth.

New York was feeling pretty comfortable. Heck, the Orioles would have been also had it been them – a four-run lead going into the later innings. Especially at Yankee Stadium. But the “later innings” are just that…later innings. They count as much as the earlier innings. And you have to play them out.

The O’s put two runners on before recording an out in the seventh. Adam Frazier came to the plate and put New York on notice that it wasn’t going to be their day with an immediate three-run homer. And that injected a shot in the arm into the hearts and minds of the Orioles.

The O’s would once again put two runners on (later in the seventh) for Gunnar Henderson’s at-bat. And Henderson pulled a tight grounder down the right field line, scoring two – and giving the Orioles a 6-5 lead. You can’t keep this team down for long.

Before the inning ended, the O’s would add a sac fly-RBI from Ryan Mountcastle, an RBI-single by Anthony Santander, and a run-scoring single by Austin Hays. (That final run was unearned due to an error on the Santander hit.) New York would get one back with an RBI-single in the last of the seventh, but the damage was done. By the Orioles.

You aren’t going to win every game. That goes without saying. Tuesday’s game was one of those for the Birds. But the beauty of baseball is that it’s played everyday. You come right back to the ballpark the next day and play again. And despite being down early, the Birds overcame incredible odds to win this game. That shouldn’t be lost on fans.

The series in New York concludes tonight at Yankee Stadium. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Clarke Schmidt. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles drop game one in the Bronx

News flash, the Baltimore Orioles won’t win every game. But we knew that. And sometimes losses are going to churn your stomach. It’s just the nature of the beast. Kyle Bradish wasn’t spot on, but he ate innings and was semi-effective. Bradish’s line: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 3 K.

The Orioles were in the driver’s seat in the game for awhile. Adam Frazier’s two-RBI double in the first inning got the Birds off to a good start with a 2-0 lead. Cedric Mullins extended the lead to 3-0 with a solo homer in the third, and Gunnar Henderson added a solo shot of his own in the fourth.

But regardless of the standings, your lead is never safe when you’re playing the pinstripes. Especially at their place. Bader got New York on the board in the fourth with a solo homer. They would plate three runs in the fifth to the game at four. They also chased Bradish following that inning.

But the O’s did get the lead back an inning later. They loaded the bases, and Terrin Vavra grounded into a fielder’s choice, which goes as an RBI. The Orioles led, 5-4.

And they took that lead to the last of the ninth. Judge came up against closer Felix Bautista with one out, and ran the count to 0-2. Bautista elevated a fastball, and Judge smacked a no-doubter out of the ballpark to tie the score at five. New York would later win it on Volpe’s sac fly in the tenth, sending the Birds down to defeat on this night in the Bronx.

Felix Bautista’s been lights out for the Orioles. So it’s tough to criticize, however it would have stood to reason to me that you’d bury a pitch in the dirt on an 0-2 count. Interesting choice of pitch location, but again he’s proven he’s trustworthy. One blown save shouldn’t taint everything he’s done to this point.

The series continues tomorrow at Yankee Stadium. Tyler Wells gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Nestor Cortes. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles sweep a series for the ages

I suppose the question for the Baltimore Orioles is which win in Toronto this weekend was bigger? Which was the seasons’s “signature win” (to date, at least)? Was it yesterday’s slow slog, or today’s game, started by Dean Kremer? Dean Kremer, who incidentally put the O’s in a spot to win today. Kremer’s line: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K.

Similar to yesterday, today’s game seemed to have a late-season or post-season big game feel to it. The air was thick all day, and neither side was seemingly ready to blink. Toronto took a 1-0 lead in the second with a solo homer by Chapman. But solo homers rarely beat you.

The O’s would tie the score in the third on an RBI-groundout by Adley Rutschman. Anthony Santander would then reach on a fielder’s choice, scoring Cedric Mullins from third. And the Orioles led, 2-1.

A downside to this game (following yesterday’s) for the Orioles was that the bullpen was taxed. They potentially had only three or four relievers available – short of an emergency, that is. In fact, I might even argue that there could have been consideration of using a starter out of the ‘pen had it been necessary. Luckily, that didn’t happen. And the O’s have an off day tomorrow.

One of the fresh relievers was Mychal Givens, who came off the IL before the ballgame. Givens of course was an Oriole for many years, and has now returned after three years away. He showed some rust, however overall it was a good outing – save for letting Toronto tie the score at two on a sac fly-RBI by Chapman in the seventh.

And just like that, we went to extra innings again, tied at two. As the title states, this was a series for the ages. So it was only fitting that the game went to extra innings. Cedric Mullins opened the extra frame(s) with a run-scoring single, and suddenly the Birds had the lead back at 3-2. However Merrifield added a run-scoring single of his own in the bottom of the inning, and we played on.

Those runs of course were courtesy of the ghost runner rule. As was the first run the Orioles scored in the 11th, off a single by Austin Hays. However all things being the same (which is always a tough argument to make), the O’s still would have taken this game. Terrin Vavra went up with two runners in scoring position as a pinch hitter, and smacked a two-RBI single. Cedric Mullins followed with a two-RBI double, and suddenly the Orioles walked out with an 8-3 win.

It goes without saying that this is a huge sweep of a division rival. Not to mention that it happened at their place. However as I said yesterday and I said above, the entire series was played with tension. Toronto’s a team that thrives off of controversy, and they “wanted the Orioles” all weekend.

And the good news for them is that they got them. They got the best that the Orioles could give them. And by series’ end, I think everyone in both organizations, and across baseball, were put on notice as to who the better team is. Let there be no mistake.

Baltimore Orioles: Don’t be made into the villains

The Baltimore Orioles won perhaps the biggest game of the season to date yesterday in Toronto. It had everything – high drama, disagreements, etc. And by disagreements, I mean controversy.

Toronto starter Alex Manoah barked at the Orioles’ Adam Frazier following a strikeout S he walked back to the dugout. There was seemingly no basis for the rift, and it left a lot of people wondering what happened. I would say this: don’t even ask the question.

The situation from earlier last week with Toronto and the NY Yankees is well documented. And there are plenty of other cases of Toronto players getting in the faces of opponents. Remember the 2015 postseason – Jose Bautista with the bat flip? They’ve had their share of run-in’s with the Orioles over the years also. If you remember, Toronto seemed intent on throwing at Oriole hitters on the night the Birds were trying to clinch the 2014 AL East title. Determined to insert themselves into the story.

That’s no different than Manoah and Frazier yesterday. Or the entire Toronto team against Aaron Judge last week. For years, that team has basically tried to play the heel. They want you to hate them. And they don’t mind fighting if it comes to that. They’re aggressive, and that’s purposely done.

So this is a word of caution to the Orioles, if anything. You know how the saying goes; never get into a fight with a pig, because he’ll beat you with experience and you’ll get dirty. Make no mistake, these are concerted efforts by the Toronto Blue Jays to get under people’s skin.

At a certain point, you have to defend yourself. However Toronto’s always been a team that tries to get under people’s skin. Chirping on the field and in the media about New York stealing signs is a perfect example. But how many bench-clearing brawls are they involved in?! And if they are, is it not convenient that it comes across as they’re the ones defending themselves?

Jose Bautista flips his bat at the Texas Rangers in the post season. The next year he gets slugged in the face. Believe me, both Bautista and his superiors were THRILLED with that result. The other guy gets the perception of causing the problem, and they got under their skin. That’s their modus operandi.

Make no mistake, Manoah was planting a seed yesterday. Their goal is to chirp and scream so much that eventually someone has to do something. And then they get to go into victim mode.

So the O’s should beware of this. Don’t be shocked if someone tries something or says something in today’s game. Toronto’s the schoolyard bully who levies insults at you and when you retaliate, says you threw the first punch. And the sad thing is they’re good at it. THEY caused the bad blood with the Yankees earlier this week. THEY caused the situation with Adam Frazier yesterday. Their hope is that it boils over, potentially causing suspensions to the other guy.

So the Orioles need to remain focused. Unless Toronto does something outlandish, don’t take the bait. Because it’s all part of a plan on their part.

Baltimore Orioles: Ryan O’Hearn says ‘O YES!’

Today’s game was the epitome of a “team win” for the Baltimore Orioles. They got a solid start out of Grayson Rodriguez in Toronto this afternoon, however the fact is that the wheels really started turning after Rodriguez had left the ballgame. Rodriguez’s line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Literally everyone who played today contributed. Now the down side of that is the fact that the Birds used five relievers, including closer Felix Bautista (who actually recorded the win); he pitched two innings. It would stand to reason that he won’t be available tomorrow, but keep in mind that the O’s are also off on Monday. Time will tell.

The Birds led 2-0 early after the first couple of innings. Ryan O’Hearn smacked an RBI-single in the second, and Cedric Mullins a solo homer in the third (umpire reviewed and ruled a home run). However Toronto tied the game at two on a two-run homer by Springer in the fifth. Jansen sent a solo shot out in the last of the sixth, and the Birds suddenly trailed.

Toronto would put two more runs on the board in the seventh, and it stood to reason those were insurance runs. However never count this crop of Orioles out. They fully buy into the legacy of the spirit of Orioles Magic that hovers over top of this franchise. Especially late in games.

The O’s put two runners on in the top of the eighth, with Ryan O’Hearn coming back to the plate. Remember, O’Hearn started the scoring this afternoon back in the second inning. O’Hearn of course had a great spring, which is why he’s a big leaguer now, but little did we know that he also had the “clutch gene” that so many of his teammates seem to have.

O’Hearn sent a deep shot toward the right field grandstand at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Many in the crowd thought the game was basically over, and that the home-standing Jays had won. But O’Hearn and the O’s had other ideas. His three-run homer gave the Birds new life, and tied the game.

The game went to extra innings, this following Felix Bautista pitching out of a jam in the last of the ninth. He had two on and nobody out, the lead runner of course being the winning run. But NONE of them crossed the plate, and we played on.

The O’s took advantage of the ghost runner rule, and immediately moved Ryan Mountcastle to third. Austin Hays plated him with a fielder’s choice, giving the O’s a 6-5 lead. Bautista closed out the game in the last of the tenth, giving the O’s a 6-5 win – and a series victory.

This recap doesn’t do the heaviness of this game justice. It was seemingly played with the intensity of an elimination game in October. Maybe it was Toronto who brought that intensity, drama, etc. For whatever reason. Drama and controversy seems to make them tick. But make no mistake that it was the Orioles who had the last say.

The series concludes tomorrow at Rogers Centre. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Kevin Gausman (former Oriole). Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Rogers Centre ruled by a “Mounty“

This was always set up to be a big series in Toronto for the Baltimore Orioles. Kyle Gibson took the ball to face off against a team that seems to enjoy beating the O’s – and everyone else in the league. Against a team who found themselves once again and as usual, steeped in controversy just this week when New York was in town. And for starters, Gibson showed up tonight. Gibson’s line: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

Gibson gave up an RBI-single to Jansen in the last of the second. And that was it for him. He was solid all night. And he pitched seven innings in a game where the Orioles could have afforded to rest their bullpen a bit. And that point right there bodes well for the Orioles going into tomorrow.

However Toronto didn’t hold the lead for long. Ryan Mountcastle came up in the third with two runners on base. As much as we’ve talked in past years about certain players “owning” the Orioles, Mountcastle’s had his way with Toronto. Big time.

He smacked a two-run homer in the top of the third, giving the Birds a 3-1 lead. That was Mountcastle’s 15th home run against Toronto in his career. “Mounty’s” also in his third season. And needless to say, while the sheer number of homers against one team is impressive in and of itself, Mountcastle’s homer was huge in the grand scheme of the game itself.

Anthony Santander would smack a home run of his own (a solo shot) in the sixth. Following Gibson, Yennier Cano would enter the game in the eighth. While Cano committed the rare act of surrendering a run (on Bichette’s RBI-groundout), he only allowed that one run. And he pitched the Orioles’ way out of a jam.

And on top of that, the O’s got two insurance runs in the ninth inning. Adam Frazier’s two-run homer extended the lead to 6-2. And thanks to Felix Bautista in the last of the ninth, that was your final score.

However make no mistake that it was Ryan Mountcastle back in the third inning who got the Orioles over the hump in this one. Offensively, that is. Gibson and Cano’s heroics we’re almost equally as important. For whatever reason, Ryan Mountcastle always hits Toronto hard. Needless to say, he ruled the roost at Toronto’s Rogers Centre tonight.

The series continues tomorrow night at Rogers Centre. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Alek Manoah. Game time is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Kyle Bradish wins in pitcher’s duel

You really can’t script out a better way to win games if you’re the Baltimore Orioles. Give up fewer runs than the opponent, that is. Kyle Bradish afforded Los Angeles one run tonight at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. That’s tough to beat. Bradish’s line. 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

Last night you may remember I said Dean Kremer had an in between start. While the Orioles still won, contrast that with Bradish being spot on this evening. For what it’s worth, Bradish pitched to a quality start.

The Birds got on the board in the last of the third with Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI-single. However one inning later they found it tied again, as Trout smacked a solo homer. It was perhaps the only bad pitch Bradish threw. But either way it landed in the seats and tied the game up at one.

However it wasn’t tied for long. Cedric Mullins’ RBI-single gave the O’s the lead back in the bottom of that fourth inning. Austin Hays would take that base hit and raise it with a solo homer in the last of the fifth. And the Orioles took a 3-1 lead into the later innings.

And at that point, the Oriole bullpen shut things down by way of Cionel Perez and Yennier Cano. And remember folks, that’s how you win games in 2023. A stellar bullpen. The 2023 O’s will go as far as their bullpen takes them. So far, so good.

The series concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Tyler Wells gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Los Angeles’ Tyler Anderson. Game time is set for just after 12:30 PM.