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.

Baltimore Orioles can’t stay out of the big inning

The Baltimore Orioles had an opportunity to sweep Toronto this afternoon at Rogers Center. And even though they didn’t, they still took two-of-three. And winning series’ should be, and is the goal. Austin Voth got the nod on the bump, and pitched to a quality start. Voth’s line: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

The issue of course was that Oriole bats couldn’t put any runs on the board for Voth. He certainly did his part, pitching well and putting the team in a position to win. He just didn’t get the run support he should have today. And sometimes that happens.

For once however, it was the Orioles’ pen that couldn’t hold things. In this case they would have been holding things to a 0-0 tie, but I digress. Springer’s RBI-single in the seventh got Toronto on the board. Espinal followed with a two-RBI double, and Toronto led 3-0.

They would put three more on the board in that sixth inning, including Espinal walking home a run. One of the big keys to any ballgame is trying to stay out of the big inning when in the field. The O’s have been pretty decent at that this year. Today was just an exception to the rule.

Robinson Chirinos’ RBI-single in the eighth got the O’s on the board, but Toronto closed things out and went home with a 6-1 victory. Again folks, the Birds took two-of-three in this series. That’s a good sign. For what it’s worth, they have seven games left against Toronto. They’ll have other opportunities to make up ground.

The Birds now return home for a home stand, starting with a makeup tomorrow against the Chicago Cubs at Camden Yards. Spencer Watkins gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Adrian Sampson. Game time is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Boh bests LaBlatt Blue by way of Dean Kremer

Dean Kremer took to the mound this evening at Rogers Centre in Toronto, hoping to notch a series win for the Baltimore Orioles. First time through the order, Kremer struggled a bit. It he settled down quickly, and turned in perhaps the best start of his career. Kremer’s line: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Kremer allowed a base runner in the last of the first, which was followed by a two-run homer by Guerrero. However as I said above, Kremer settled in very nicely. Following the home run, that is. Very few Toronto hitters even reached base, much less threatened to score.

Toronto’s starter Manoah started hanging pitches a bit in the fifth inning. His pitch count was slightly high, and his fastball started staying up in the zone. Speaking for myself, it seemed to me that it would have been an opportune moment to at least get someone working in the bullpen. But Manoah was allowed to pitch on.

Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutschman smacked back-to-back solo homers in that inning. That tied the game at two. Again, one might have thought that Toronto would have changed pitchers. But apparently not.

Ramon Urias’ bloop RBI-single in the sixth eventually sent Manoah to the showers. That gave the Orioles the lead, never to be surrendered. Ryan McKenna would add an additional RBI-single of his own, giving the O’s a 4-2 lead.

The Orioles turned to the bullpen after Kremer was lifted (after the seventh), and the pen was just as lights out. Dillon Tate and Felix Bautista were almost not hittable. The O’s have a good thing going in that they can turn it over to perhaps the best bullpen in baseball, and preserve the lead.

I would argue that Toronto manager John Schneider failed his starting pitcher. And by extension his team. Manoah was tiring in the fifth, and Schneider waited until the Orioles had the lead to lift him. You have to preserve the lead as a manager, and put your team in a spot to win. And the Birds took full advantage.

The series concludes tomorrow at Rogers Centre. Austin Voth gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Ross Stripling. Game time is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Speed wins ballgames

The Baltimore Orioles entered yet another important series this evening, this one at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Kyle Bradish got the start for the O’s against Toronto, and he set the tone for Brandon Hyde and company. Bradish’s line: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 5 K.

The Orioles took an almost immediate lead when Anthony Santander smacked an RBI-single in the first inning. Ryan Mountcastle would follow two innings later with a two-run homer, extending the Orioles’ lead. At that point the Birds found themselves up, 3-0.

However Toronto almost got even in the last of the third. They loaded the bases with nobody out, and Gurriel smacked a two-RBI single. However Bradish pitched out of it from there, preserving the Orioles’ lead.

That third inning was possibly the key to the game. The Orioles bent but didn’t break. That inning could have been a disaster in terms of winning or losing the game. But Bradish stayed solid, gave up the two runs, and got back into the dugout.

And from there the O’s kind of broke things open. Tyler Nevin reached on a fielder’s choice in the fourth, with Jorge Mateo at third. Mateo dashed home like a madman, and was safe – giving the O’s a 4-2 lead. Ryan McKenna added a two-RBI double, and Adley Rutschman a sac fly-RBI before the inning ended, giving the Birds a 6-2 advantage.

And that Nevin fielder’s choice-RBI was huge. It solidified the O’s in the driver’s seat. They had almost surrendered the lead the previous inning, and just that one run (along of course with the runs that followed) reaffirmed that this was their game to lose. And that ultimately didn’t happen – the O’s losing the game, that is.

The O’s would score again in the fifth on a Terrin Vavra double-play ball, and Guerrero would smack a solo homer in the last of the fifth. And the Oriole bullpen took care of the rest, as the Birds went home 7-3 winners in game one at Rogers Centre.

Don’t downplay the importance of speed. This is a totally different game if Jorge Mateo doesn’t run as hard as he can tagging from their. Speed can definitely win games. We’re seeing it first hand.

The series continues tomorrow night at Rogers Centre. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Alek Manoah. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.