Baltimore Orioles win their fifth straight game

I’m not going to lie; I was surprised that the Baltimore Orioles started on time this evening. I thought that rain would have at least delayed Kyle Gibson taking the mound and pitching to Detroit. But it didn’t; the game started in time. Gibson’s line: 6.1 IP. 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 11 K

While Gibson became the first Oriole starter since last Sunday to surrender a run, the eleven strikeouts are incredibly impressive. That’s what happens when you successfully pitch for strikeouts. Gibson gave the O’s another superb outing from a starter.

And Oriole bats cooperated this evening also. Adley Rutschman’s run-scoring single in the last of the third put the O’s ahead, 1-0. Interesting thing about that is that the O’s held Detroit accountable in a sense. Gunnar Henderson was at first base, and he got to second on a balk. He later got to third on a wild pitch, and scored on the Rutschman single. You have to hold your opponents accountable for their mistakes. Today the Orioles did.

The O’s would load the bases later in that third inning, and Ramon Urias took care of that. His bases-clearing double opened the game wide open and gave the O’s a 4-0 lead. One inning later James McCann’s first Orioles’ home run extended it to 5-0.

McKinstry smacked a solo homer for Detroit in the top of the seventh. It was the first run surrendered by Oriole pitching since Sunday. But all that matters is the fact that they won. And with this win, their fifth in a row, they’ve also won another series.

The series with Detroit concludes tomorrow at Camden Yards. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the O’s, and in a twist of fate, he’ll be opposed by Detroit‘s Eduardo Rodriguez. Game time is set for 7 PM. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Hit-and-run and Adam Frazier saves the day

It’s hard to decide if Tyler Wells, Adam Frazier, Ryan Mountcastle, or Austin Hays played a bigger role for the Baltimore Orioles tonight. I’ll start with Wells, who pitched like a workhorse this evening against Detroit at Camden Yards. Wells’ line: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

Wells added his name to the list of Oriole starters who haven’t allowed a run in three games now and counting. That’s also three consecutive deep outings in games for Oriole starters. This past week the starting pitching, needless to say, has been crisp. As have Oriole relievers.

The issue of course is that the O’s were unable to score as well. Mind you, they won 1-0 in Washington on Tuesday, and then 4-0 on Wednesday. So runs haven’t exactly flowed freely of late. But the O’s have managed to get by, and tonight was no exception.

As Tyler Wells was getting handshakes in the dugout for a job well done, Austin Hays strode to the plate in the last of the seventh. And Hays smacked a ball into the Oriole bullpen for a solo homer, giving the O’s a 1-0 lead. And again, runs have come at a premium. Felix Bautista unfortunately allowed a base runner and a stolen base in the ninth, putting a runner in scoring position. And Baez’s RBI-single tied the game at one.

Bautista in fact did blow a rare save. However keep in mind that as big as he is, people will often try to steal in him. And the stolen bases played a huge role in the score being tied. Such is life.

With one out in the last of the ninth, Ryan Mountcastle singled to get on base. With Anthony Santander at the plate, Brandon Hyde called for a hit-and-run; which in a way was refreshing to see. And it was conducted in refectory fashion, with Mountcastle ending up at third on Santander’s base hit.

That brought Adam Frazier to the plate, who in essence ran into a swinging bunt. However the Orioles has the contact play on, and Mountcastle scampered home from third. He slid into home plate just before the tag, winning it in walkoff fashion for the Orioles, 2-1.

Things fell into place for the Birds in the end. Everything lined up perfectly between the hit-and-run, the swinging bunt, and Mountcastle’s hustle. You find ways to win games, especially against teams you should be beating. And the Orioles did that tonight.

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

Baltimore Orioles: A sweep in DC

Kyle Bradish came off the IL last night and made the start for the Baltimore Orioles in the series finale in Washington. And he followed up Dean Kremer’s effort on Tuesday with one of his own. Bradish’s line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

The Orioles played two games at Nationals Park this week, and didn’t surrender a run. That’s impressive. These regional games are for the fans – there’s no question. However they’re also regular season games, and they count towards the season standings. Anytime you play consecutive games and surrender zero runs, you’re doing something right.

And Bradish was mowing down Washington hitters in the same manner that Kremer did on Tuesday. There was a swiftness to his methods, and he seemed to leave hitters questioning their own methodology. This game, along with Tuesday’s, should be prototypes for Oriole starters through the rest of the season.

The O’s loaded the bases in the top of the third, and Adley Rutschman drew a walk, giving the Birds a 1-0 lead. One of the only issues in the game overall was that was the only run they scored in that sequence. Bases loaded nobody out; they first recorded a force out at home plate. Then Rutschman walked, after which they grounded into a double-play. You have to get more than one run in that circumstance.

However one inning later they struck. Adam Frazier smacked a two-run homer, giving the O’s a 3-0 lead. Gunnar Henderson’s RBI-single in the ninth closed out the party, and the Orioles took the series finale, 4-0.

One concern for the O’s, shortstop Jorge Mateo pulled up limp after running out a ground ball to first base in the first inning. Manager Brandon Hyde was asked after the game whether the Birds would need to make a roster move before Detroit comes to town on Friday, and he was non-comital:

Not right now. The off-day plays in our favor and we’ll kind of go from there.

Quote courtesy of Steve Melewski, MASNsports

That could be a concern. Early as it is in the season, Mateo’s hitting .370. It wouldn’t shock me if the O’s try to keep him on the roster and maybe sit him for a game or two, just to have him later on. Just something to watch.

Baltimore Orioles: Glad to be in D.C.

In my humble opinion, the Baltimore Orioles got the best start of Dean Kremer’s career out of him tonight at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. He was economical, and swift & sure. He came close to giving the O’s seven innings. But either way, he pitched the game of his life tonight. Kremer’s line: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K.

Ironically, there was a moment early on where the game could have gone the other way. Following a leadoff single in the last of the third, Gunnar Henderson committed a two-bag error, giving Washington two runners in scoring position with nobody out. Kremer sent the next two hitters down, 1-2-3.

It’s moments like those which register in ballgames. Things could have easily gotten away from the Orioles (and Kremer) in that moment. But he reigned himself back in, buckled down, and did what he had to do. Veteran-type look from Dean Kremer there.

And Kremer was rewarded for that show of leadership. Ryan Mountcastle led off the fourth with a single, and went to second following an Adam Frazier walk. Austin Hays’ RBI-single would score Mountcastle, giving the Birds a 1-0 lead.

In a sport that’s far too in love with the home run ball and high-scoring games, this one had to give the commissioner and the people on the league office heart burn. Because aside from that little blurb in the fourth inning, both sides’ pitching shut down the others’ bats. Washington had the tying run at second against Felix Hernandez in the last of the ninth, but he recorded the final out and sent the Orioles onto victory.

Good night in D.C. for the Birds. And as I said, that might have been the best start of Dean Kremer’s career. The Orioles certainly hope that trend continues.

The series concludes tomorrow night at Nationals Park. The O’s are yet to announce a starter, but the thought that Keegan Akin will be activated off the IL to make the start – whomever the starter is however, he’ll be opposed by Washington’s MacKenzie Gore. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Friendly neighborhood baseball game

The Baltimore Orioles head down I-95 this evening to open the Battle of the Beltways in Washington D.C. against the Washington Nationals. Well, maybe more like down the B/W Pkwy – but you get the idea. The O’s will be in D.C. tonight and tomorrow, and Washington makes a return visit to Camden Yards in September.

Perhaps more so in the stands than on the field, the line between home white and road gray can be a bit blurred in these games. You’ll hear Orioles fans cheering when the Birds score the next two games, many of them having traveled less distance to see their team at Nationals Park than they would at Camden Yards. But either way, it’s the best of the Mid-Atlantic Region on display for all of baseball to see the next two nights. That’s something that should register with pride for both fan bases.

Baltimore and Washington are two very different places, but with many similarities. Some fans on both sides hate the other. But many root for the other city (for the most part, that is). It’s just how things shake down.

And almost everyone in this region has ties in the other city. My grandfather, Dr. Anthony Launi, was a semi-pro catcher in the Washington Senators’ farm system. (In those days semi-pro was akin to today’s minor leagues.) He had a tryout with the big league club, but didn’t make it. So he remained a Washington DC area dentist for years. He certainly did okay for himself, rearing seven kids into adulthood, including my mother! But again, it’s that sort of story which typifies the idea of a “friendly neighborhood baseball game.” For the record, I have one of of my grandfather’s bats at my parents’ house somewhere. I should dig it out sometime soon.

I think it’s a “rivalry” unlike any other in baseball. The Subway Series makes people very bitter – NY fans, that is. Chicago’s games between the Cubs and Sox are similar. But again, those are the same city. Baltimore and Washington are different, yet the same. They don’t intersect but for two series’ a year. However when they do, it’s fun for the fans.

The O’s head to Nationals Park this evening for the series in Washington. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Josiah Gray. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: A rain delay, a comeback, and a win in ChiTown

The Baltimore Orioles and starter Grayson Rodriguez had to wait two plus additional hours to get today’s series finale started on the south side of Chicago. And once the game did start following that lengthy rain delay, Orioles fans wished it had been rained out – at first. Rodriguez struggled…but quickly stabilized. Rodriguez’s line: 5.0 IL, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 8 K.

Rodriguez seemed like he wanted to stay in the clubhouse at first. He put two runners on and then gave up a three-run homer to Sheets (a Maryland native) – this before recording an out. He then surrendered a solo homer to Burger, and the O’s trailed, 4-0.

However to his credit, Rodriguez stabilized. That’s also to the credit of Brandon Hyde, who allowed the rookie to stay in the ballgame. The weather was raw, Rodriguez had looked shaky, and he was a rookie. Nobody would have blamed Brandon Hyde for pulling him.

But he stuck with Rodriguez, who slowly transformed before our eyes. He went from a pitcher on the ropes to mowing Chicago hitters down. Again, this in less-than-favorable conditions. Rodriguez ended up being non-decisions on the afternoon, because Oriole bats also seemed to get untracked as we went along.

The Orioles started their rally from behind with a simple sac fly-RBI in the fourth inning by Jorge Mateo. With two on, Cedric Mullins smacked a triple later in the inning, and suddenly we had a game. And the O’s were down one, 4-3.

The O’s would tie the game at four in the sixth when Gunnar Henderson scored on a wild pitch by Chicago’s starter, Cease. And on that note, it was interesting that Cease was still in the game. Chicago’s bullpen was taxed, but personally I felt that they left Cease in the game longer than they should have.

The Birds officially took over the game in the eighth inning. Cedric Mullins’ RBI-single have them a 5-4 lead. Ryan Mountcastle would line into a force out, which scored an additional run. And Anthony Santander closed out the inning with an RBI-single, giving the Orioles a 7-4 lead.

Mullins would tack on an RBI-single in the ninth for good measure, and the O’s took the game, 8-4. And they took two-of -three from Chicago.

It was about as unlikely a win as you’re going to see. After that first inning things looked pretty bleak. But end of the day, it was the Orioles going through the hand shake line in celebration. The road trip in theory continues after an off day tomorrow, as the O’s head to Washington on Tuesday night.

Baltimore Orioles fall in back-and-forth game

The Baltimore Orioles dropped a wild game this afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Park in Chicago. Kyle Gibson got the start, and while he didn’t pitch to a quality start, he did put the O’s in a spot to win the ballgame. Gibson’s line: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K.

The Birds took an early 1-0 lead on a solo homer in the second inning by Jorge Mateo. However Burger’s sac fly-RBI tied the game in the last of the fourth. And that set the tone for the rest of the game.

One inning later in the fifth Chicago took the lead at 2-1 with Benintendi’s RBI-double. However the Orioles tied it up and then took the lead in the sixth. Anthony Santander smacked a solo homer to tie the game, and Jorge Mateo’s RBI-single gave them a 3-2 lead. Cedric Mullins would later walk with the bases loaded, giving the Birds a 4-2 lead.

But Chicago came back – again. And not for the last time. Burger smacked a two-run homer in the sixth to tie it at four. One inning later however, Ramon Urias was hit in the head with two runners on – loading the bases. Urias would leave the game and later enter concussion protocol. His status going forward is unclear. However that brought Ryan O’Hearn to the plate, who drew a walk. Giving the Orioles the lead back at 5-4.

But Vaughn’s RBI-double in the last of the seventh tied the game back up at five. And tied it remained, and we went to extra innings for the first time in 2023. Remember, the rules now dictate that teams begin every inning after nine with a runner on second. The Birds immediately moved that runner to third, and Adley Rutschman later proceeded to ground into what could have been a double-play. But he hustled down the line, and beat the throw to first base, scoring a run. However a run/m-scoring double and an RBI-single won it for Chicago in the bottom of the inning.

Tough loss for the O’s. However Adley Rutschman’s worth mentioning once again. Understand folks, he’s a CATCHER. That inherently means he runs like the Queen Mary. He hustled down that line in the tenth inning and basically willed that run home. It shows his character, as well as his will to win. That’s the guy that you want on your team.

The series concludes tomorrow at Guaranteed Rate Field. Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Dylan Cease. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman feeling a trend

The Baltimore Orioles sent Tyler Wells to the mound last night on the south side of Chicago. He put the Birds in a spot to win the game, although he got next-to-no run support. In truth, he was two outs away from a quality start. Wells’ line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

Wells gave up a solo homer to Burger in the second inning. He then proceeded to shut Chicago down until the last of the sixth, where he gave up two RBI-singles. The Orioles trailed 3-0 when he left the game.

However remember last year when the Birds were so good in the later innings? That repeated itself last night. The Orioles loaded the bases in the seventh, and Cedric Mullins drew a walk. That got the O’s on the board, cutting the Chicago lead to 3-1. However later in the inning the game got flipped squarely on it’s side.

When the O’s drafted Adley Rutschman they knew he was special. He was obviously the first overall pick – the second in franchise history. And since he’s come to the majors he hasn’t disappointed. That’s never been more evident than in the last two games.

Remember, Adley Rutschman sent the Orioles onto this road trip with a walk off homer to win the final game of the previous home stand – against Oakland. And he came in similarly clutch last night. With Mullins having walked in a run and the bases still loaded in the top of the seventh, the Orioles trailed 3-1…

…and Rutschman proved once again that he has that clutch gene. He nailed a bases-clearing double to left center, giving the Birds a 4-3 lead. Just another day at the office, right?!

Jorge Mateo and Ryan O’Hearn would add two-RBI doubles in the eighth to close out the scoring. And the Orioles went home (or back to the team hotel at least) with a 6-3 victory in the first of three in Chicago. But what Rutschman means to this franchise can’t be downplayed. He’s a franchise player, and one who has the capability to strike fear into the hearts of opponents for years. And he’s proved it over the past two games.

The series continues this afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field. Kyle Gibson gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Michael Kopech. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman launches the Birds back in the win column

The Baltimore Orioles played a wild one this afternoon, this in the series finale with Oakland. And the home stand finale. Cole Irvin, the former Oakland A, found out early that today wasn’t going to be a day for pitchers. Irvin’s line: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

Irvin gave up an early run on a sac fly-RBI by Rooker – who had a great series for Oakland. However the Orioles came right back, Ryan O’Hearn, who was called up just prior to the game, smacked a two-RBI single in the last of the first. Jorge Mateo added on a sac fly-RBI, and the O’s appeared to be in business with a 3-1 lead.

But that was short-lived. Rooker came up again in the second and answered with a three-run homer. And back-and-forth we went from there. Ryan Mountcastle’s solo shot tied the game at four in the third. The Birds then took the lead back on Adam Frazier’s RBI-single, and O’Hearn and Mateo’s sac fly-RBI. After three, the Orioles led 7-4.

As I said, it wasn’t a day for pitchers. Unfortunately for the Orioles, Ruiz’s two-RBI single in the fourth and Rooker’s solo homer in the fifth tied the game back up at seven. As I said, Rooker had a dynamite series for Oakland. Needless to say, he was much of their offense today alone.

The two bullpens held through much of the rest of the game. Neither side could put anything across. Notice I said “much” of the rest of the game. Not the entirety of the rest of the game.

We went to the last of the ninth with the game tied at seven. Adley Rutschman led off the inning, and sent a high fly ball deep to center on the second pitch he saw. This was a no-doubter, folks – it wound up towards the upper rows of the grandstand. It was a walk off home run, the first not only of his professional career, but of his life.

The O’s took three-of-four from Oakland, which is about what one would have expected. Obviously you’d love to have swept the series. But you have to be okay with just winning the series. And the Orioles did just that.

The Birds now head to the south side of Chicago, the meanest part of town…to open up a series against the ChiSox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Type Wells gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Mike Clevinger. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Ryan Mountcastle leads the way with nine RBI

Any other member of the Baltimore Orioles was going to have to try really hard to eclipse Grayson Rodriguez tonight. He made his first ever start at Camden Yards on the same night the Orioles gave away his t-shirt. Rodriguez however may have been the reason the fans showed up, but he won’t be the reason they remember this game. Rodriguez’s line: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 6 K.

I would say that Rodriguez was right about where you would expect a guy to be making his second career start in the big leagues. He gave up an RBI-single in the first to Rooker to give Oakland a 1-0 lead. However the good news for Rodriguez there was that he limited the damage and got out of the inning.

However the Orioles didn’t trail for long. Ryan Mountcastle started what became a trend for this game, sending a solo homer over the fence in the last of the first. After Oakland took the lead back in the second, we next heard from Mountcastle in the third. He sent an RBI-single into centerfield, tying the game again – this time at two.

James McCann would give the Birds the lead in the fourth with an RBI-double, however Oakland would equal that in the fifth with Smith’s RBI-single. They would proceed to take the lead on an RBI-groundout. However later in the inning Langeliers would smack a three-run homer, giving Oakland a 7-3 lead.

That almost felt like a death blow. Needless to say, Oakland had broken the game wide open. Then the last of the fifth rolled around. Ryan z Mountcastle had already had a great game, with two RBI to that point (one on a solo shot). However he came up in the last of the fifth with two runners on, and launched a deep shot into the Baltimore night. That cut the Oakland lead to 7-6, and breathed new life back into the Birds’ sails.

One inning later the game was tied. This off a solo homer by Austin Hays, who had a great game in his own right – 4-for-4 with two RBI. Hays would also smack an RBI-single an inning later in the seventh to give the O’s the lead at 8-7. But they weren’t done.

Hays would still need to touch home plate. And he did later in that seventh inning, when Ryan Mountcastle came up again, Mountcastle came up with the bases loaded – because Oakland didn’t want to pitch to Adley Rutschman with first base open. So they walked him to get to Mountcastle…

…and history will show that was a mistake. Mountcastle sent a high fly ball deep into the left field grandstand, giving the Birds a 12-7 lead. Oakland would shove one across in the ninth, however the Orioles won their second consecutive game over Oakland, this one 13-8.

Ryan Mountcastle had one of the more historic night’s in franchise history. Nevermind that he hit in the clutch about as well as one could when his team needed him tonight, but he joined Jim Gentile and Eddie Murray as the only players in franchise history to have nine RBI in a game. Ironically, all three guys to do that were first basemen.

Keep in mind, Mountcastle broke Cal Ripken Jr’s mark for the most HR’s in franchise history for a rookie, this in 2021. Now he’s equaled a mark shared by Eddie Murray. His name is up there with two hall of famer’s. That’s about as select of company as you’re going to find.

The series continues tomorrow evening from Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Oakland’s Ken Waldichuck. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.