Baltimore Orioles fall in game one in Cleveland

Spencer Watkins got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this evening at Cleveland’s Progressive Field. Watkins pitched three decent innings. But the second time through the order, Cleveland figured him out. Watkins line: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 0 BB, 3 K.

It’s tough to hang this loss squarely on Watkins. It’s always a team effort – win or lose. The lone Orioles’ run came in the top of the second when Ryan Mountcastle plated a run with a sac fly-RBI, giving the Birds a 1-0 lead.

Unless your pitching is just lights out on that particular night, it’s tough to win a game 1-0. And as I said, Cleveland figured Watkins out second time through the batting order. Naylor smacked a two-run homer in the last of the fourth. That got Cleveland on the board, and gave them a 2-1 lead.

One inning later they broke the game wide open. Kwan’s two-RBI double extended their lead to 4-1. Rosario added a sac fly-RBI later in the inning, and Cleveland led 5-1.

The good news is that the Orioles’ ‘pen didn’t give up a run. And they pitched about half the ballgame. But as we’ve said many times before, you aren’t going to win them all. Not even close. You come back tomorrow and try again.

The series continues tomorrow night at Progressive Field. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Triston McKenzie. Game time is set for just after 6 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Starting pitching strong but Birds fall in Houston finale

You can’t get better starting pitching than the Baltimore Orioles got today and this weekend overall in Houston. Austin Voth got the start, pitching to a quality start in the series finale at Houston’s Minute Maid Park. Voth’s line: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K.

One might argue that the Orioles had a legitimate gripe or two in this game, starting with the home plate umpire. The strike zone seemed to revolve a bit over the course of the game. But the way that the fifth inning unfolded didn’t sit well with the Birds.

Jorge Mateo smacked a double to center, giving the O’s a runner in scoring position in a 0-0 tie. Mateo tried to extend the double into a triple, and was thrown out. Or was he?

The Orioles challenged the play. It was close, needless to say. Replays seemed to show that Mateo got his left arm into the bag before the tag came down. But according to the umpires, there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the call on the field. Needless to say, the Orioles’ dugout wasn’t thrilled.

Gurriel smacked a two-RBI single in the seventh, giving Houston a 2-0 lead. Bregman’s added a solo homer in the eighth. The O’s did rally, on an RBI-single in the ninth. They also had the tying run at the plate, but couldn’t convert.

The O’s fell today, but left Houston having taken two-of-three from the best team in the American League. That’s an amazing feat, and end of the day, they left town in better shape than when they arrived. Needless to say, these Orioles are for real.

Baltimore Orioles: Ramon Urias swings, Bradish deals, Birds win

Kyle Bradish became the first Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher to pitch against Trey Mancini last night in Houston. The Birds of course traded Mancini to Houston last month, and faced him as an opponent last night for the first time. And both Bradish and his teammates made the most of it. Bradish’s line: 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K.

Before the game Mancini and his former Orioles coaches and teammates exchanged hugs and pleasantries. Mancini didn’t want to be traded away. And the Orioles didn’t really want to trade him. But as we all know, it’s a business. And trading Mancini was the right business move.

Mancini was actually one of the lone Houston Astros that got on base against Bradish. He drew a walk – one of two Bradish issued. Incidentally and as you can see from his stat line above, Bradish threw eight innings of two hit ball. He was really good, obviously. He did more than put the O’s in a spot to win.

Ramon Urias smacked a two-run homer in the sixth inning. To that point it had been a pitcher’s duel. And it remained a pitcher’s duel. Bradish wasn’t about to give up a run. And Dillon Tate closer Houston out in the ninth inning, sealing the win.

And what a win it was! Houston has the best record in the American League. This is certainly a measuring stick series for the O’s, in terms of whether they can compete with the creme de la crème of the American League. So far so good, is all you can really say. The O’s are 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.

The series continues this evening at Minute Maid Park. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Jose Urquidy. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Kyle Stowers’ first homer couldn’t come at a better time

The Baltimore Orioles sent Jordan Lyles to the mound last night in hopes of winning the series with the ChiSox. He started off in the most inauspicious manner possible – by giving up a solo homer on the first pitch. But he also set the tone in hopes that Oriole bars could pick him up. Lyles’ line: 7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R (1 earned), 0 BB, 2 K.

Vaughn hit the first pitch of the game out of the ballpark. So the O’s found themselves in an early hole. However Anthony Santander’s two-run homer in the last of the first gave the Orioles the lead at 2-1. This foreshadowed Chicago being reminded that no matter what, you NEVER count these Birds out so long as there’s game left to play.

The Orioles’ lead held until the seventh inning. Terrin Vavra’s errant throw on a routine play allowed a run to score, tying the game at two. I’ve said this a million times (both on runs the Orioles score and runs scored by the opponent), but when you get guys on base things can happen. One inning later in the eighth Chicago took the lead back at 3-2 on Abreu’s RBI-single.

We went to the last of the ninth with the Birds still trailing 3-2. This was a huge game given the playoff standings (the O’s entered the game three games out of a wild card spot behind Seattle). And with the O’s heading to Houston this weekend, you’d hate to have dropped two-of-three at home to Chicago. But it looked like things were trending in that direction.

Kyle Stowers came to the plate with two outs in the ninth. The rookie was just looking to get on base. But instead he added his name to a long list of Orioles who historically have left their mark on opponents by coming through in the clutch. This phenomenon is best known as Orioles Magic.

Stowers didn’t just “get on base” to extend the game. Instead he picked the most opportune moment possible to smack his first career home run, tying the game at three. A player’s first career home run is always exciting. But how often does it occur in such a clutch moment in such a huge game? That’s about as clutch as you’re going to get.

Adding to the legend of the story was the fact that the Birds won the thing on a run-scoring single by Anthony Santander in the 11th. And the O’s moved to within 2.5 games of the final wild card spot. Oh and they thrilled the fans once again. Big time.

Perhaps the most striking part of the Stowers home run was what happened two pitches earlier. Chicago had brought in Engel as a defensive replacement in left field. Stowers appeared to have ended the game by sending a foul pop down the left field line. It was a fairly routine play…but Engel dropped it. The game would have been over, but Engel dropped the ball. And Stowers went on to hit that home run, that few in Birdland will ever forget.

The O’s now head to Houston for the first of a three-game series tonight at Minute Maid Park. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Houston’s Lance McCullers. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Birds drop one to ChiSox

Spencer Watkins got the start last night for the Baltimore Orioles against Chicago. He pitched to a quality start, but the fact is that Oriole bats couldn’t get untracked in time to deliver a win. Chicago took the lead against Watkins, and never surrendered it – tagging Watkins with the loss. Watkins’ line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

Chicago took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-RBI single by Sheets. (This has been said ad hoc, but Sheets is a Baltimore area native, and is the son of former Oriole Larry Sheets.) But those were the only two runs Spencer Watkins gave up. Hence the fact that he pitched to a quality start.

The Orioles got on the board in the last of the fourth on an RBI-groundout by Ryan Mountcastle. The O’s also stranded a runner at third in the sixth, which is a no-no in one-run game. It usually comes back to haunt you.

And sure enough, it did. Sheets struck again in the seventh. His RBI-single gave Chicago a 3-1 lead. Chicago would bet an additional run on a wild pitch in the eighth, and a fifth run on an RBI-single. The Birds would offer a slight rally in the last of the ninth on Austin Hays’ two-run homer, but they wound up falling short.

The series concludes this evening at Camden Yards. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Lance Lynn. Game time is set for just after 7 PN.

Baltimore Orioles: #RIPFlanny

Baltimore Orioles fans won’t ever forget this day from 2011. It was August 24, 2011 that former Oriole great turned broadcaster, Mike Flanagan, passed away. I swore to myself on that day that so long as I penned a version of this column, I’d commemorate Flanagan’s death.

One year later in 2012, the Orioles were in the midst of a season much like they’re having here in 2022. They came out of nowhere, had a magical season, and thrust their way into the playoffs, and into the hearts and minds of a new generation of fans. For much of that season I remember thinking how proud Mike Flanagan would have been to have seen that.

And the same is still true. This franchise has truly risen from the ashes in a sense – the ashes of 2018-2021. And it’s happened much quicker than anyone would have otherwise thought. But again, my thoughts go back to Flanagan – especially on this day. He loved this franchise. He loved being an Oriole, and he loved Baltimore. He would have loved to have seen the rebirth of the franchise that’s occurring now.

However as Billy Joel sings in TWO THOUSAND YEARS, “time is relentless.” Death is a natural part of life. And nature dictates that Mike Flanagan isn’t here any longer. But we can never forget him, or the imprint that he left on the fans and the city. He’ll never be forgotten – not by a long shot. 11 years later, rest in peace, Mike Flanagan.

Baltimore Orioles: Birds continue to party

Following the Boston series and a day off, the Baltimore Orioles opened up a three-game set against the ChiSox this evening at Camden Yards. Austin Voth got the start, and did his job by putting the O’s in a spot to win the game. Voth’s line: 5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K.

The Birds fell behind early in this one. Jimenez smacked a two-run homer in the first inning, giving Chicago a 2-0 lead. This before the crowd even settled in

But the O’s battled back. They put two runners on in the last of the first. And as a result, the Birds didn’t trail for long. Because Ryan Mountcastle smacked a three-run homer, giving the O’d a 3-2 lead.

They would add to their lead again in the sixth. Anthony Santander’s run-scoring single put the Orioles ahead 4-2. However an inning later, Vaughn’s RBI-single would bring Chicago to within two at 4-3.

But the last of the seventh brought an insurance run for the O’s. Jorge Mateo’s single brought home an insurance run for the O’s. And with the fickle nature of bullpens on 2022, that was a huge thing.

This team is loud, proud, and focused. I can think of no greater reward for them than to take the fans to the “promise land.” But even if they fall short, they’ve restored the team’s standing in Baltimore simply by playing meaningful games in August. And September.

The series continues tomorrow evening at Camden Yards. Spencer Watkins gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Lucas Giolito. Game is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: All my rowdy friends were there on Sunday night!

The Baltimore Orioles appeared on Sunday Night Baseball last night for the first time in years. This in the Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA, where they completed their series against Boston. Dean Kremer got the start for the O’s, and he put the O’s in a spot to win. Kremer’s line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

The O’s got on the board early with two RBI-singles. One by Anthony Santander, and an infield single by Ramon Urias. Boston would get on the board in the second when Hernandez smacked an RBI-single of his own.

And Boston did rally, albeit late. Cordero’s solo homer in the eighth inning tied the game at two. But the O’s out a stop to Boston’s rally with one of their own. They loaded the bases in the last of the eighth, bringing Jorge Mateo to the plate. And Mateo cleared the bases with a double, giving the Birds a 5-2 lead.

Boston would get one back on a solo homer by Bogaerts in the ninth, but the Birds closed out a 5-3 win. By winning this game, they not only won the Little League Classic, but they won this three-game series against Boston. Which for the playoff chase, is a huge thing.

The O’s are 2.5 games out of a wild card spot. The league should be thanking them, because one of their annual showcase games had major playoff implications. Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that the O’s/Boston game in Williamsport would have been important for the playoffs, however BECAUSE of the Orioles?!

And I think that this Little League Classic game is a great thing. It’s a little strenuous on the players because you force two teams to travel to Williamsport, PA during a series and play a game on Sunday Night. However I think it’s a great way of embracing the game at it’s core, and embracing youth. And make no mistake that a national audience got to see the showcasing of a franchise that’s turned a corner, and is going to be a huge part of the immediate future of baseball in terms of wins and losses.

Baltimore Orioles: Birds fall to Boston

Kyle Bradish got the start this afternoon for the Baltimore Orioles against Boston at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. While it was far from stellar, Bradish didn’t get much run support. It appeared that the Birds left all of their runs in Friday night’s game. Bradish’s line: 5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 6 K.

Bradish made it to the fifth inning without giving up a run. As can often be the case, third time through the order got him. Verdugo’s RBI-single gave Boston a 1-0 lead. One inning later Hernandez smacked a two-run homer, and they extended their lead to 3-0.

The Orioles did rally, however. As has been demonstrated, you never count this team out. The Birds put two runners on in the seventh, and Kyle Stovers’ RBI-groundout cut the Boston lead to 3-1. Jorge Mateo also scored on a pass ball, and the O’s were to within one at 3-2.

The teams would trade runs in the ninth, with Boston getting theirs on an RBI-double, the three Orioles’ run coming on another RBI-groundout by Stowers. But the Birds couldn’t push another runs across, and fell, 4-3.

This is a bit of a strange series, as it now shifts to Muncy Bank Ballpark in Williamsport, PA for the finale. Obviously that‘s the site of the Little League World Series, and the teams will play in the Little League Classic tomorrow on Sunday Night Baseball. The game remains technically an Orioles’ home game, and is the series finale.

So yes, tomorrow night the series concludes at the aforementioned Muncy Bank Ballpark. Dean Kremer gets the call for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Nick Pivetta. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall just short against Chicago

The Baltimore Orioles made up a previous rainout this afternoon at Camden Yards against the Chicago Cubs. Spencer Watkins got the start, and did his job. He put the O’s in a spot to win the ballgame. Watkins’ line: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K.

Chicago’s Contreras smacked a solo homer in the sixth inning. That was the first run of the game on either side. Contreras hit another one out in the eighth, followed up by a second solo homer by Contreras. Usually solo home runs don’t hurt you. But when you give up three, it makes a difference.

But the Orioles did battle. Ryan Mountcastle got them on the board with an RBI-single in the last of the eighth. Anthony Santander added a sac fly-RBI, and the Birds were within one. They also had the tying run on base in the ninth, but were unable to put anything more across, resulting in a 3-2 loss.

Austin Hays was thrown out at the plate in the fifth, and the O’s challenged the call. The call on the field was upheld, and the game went on. However it was questionable at best whether or not that was the correct call. Had they overturned it, all things being the same the game would have gone to extra innings.

Tomorrow the O’s open a three-game set with Boston at Camden Yards. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Kutter Crawford. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.