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.

Baltimore Orioles hold off a perfecto

The Baltimore Orioles still have a long way to go in the regular season, but they dropped a big game today. In losing to Tampa, they dropped the season series; which is one of the playoff tie-breakers. All that means is that they have to finish with a better record than Tampa. Jordan Lyles got the start today, with mixed results. Lyles’ line: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 9 K.

Lyles gave up a three-run homer to Arozarena in the last of the third. Peralta also smacked an RBI-single in the fifth, giving Tampa a 4-1 lead. Other than that, Oriole pitching was pretty strong in this game. Keegan Akin pitched two innings of two-hit ball in relief. But when both sides have decent pitching, it boils down to who can finagle a couple of runs across. In this case that was Tampa.

Jorge Mateo scored on a wild pitch in the ninth inning, and Tampa took home a 4-1 win. Of course, Mateo got on base with a first pitch double in the top of the ninth. He was the Orioles’ first base runner; he broke up a perfect game.

Tampa starter Drew Rasmussen pitched a gem. He kept the Birds off base until the ninth inning. Many will wonder if this dooms the rest of the season offensively. What does this say about Oriole bats?

What it says is that they had a bad game. Sometimes you have to tip your cap, as former manager Buck Showalter used to say. You keep grinding and move onto tomorrow.

The O’s now head to the great white north to open a three-game set with Toronto at Rogers Centre. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Yusei Kikuchi. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles slug their way out of controversy and onto victory

Austin Voth didn’t surrender even a hit in tonight’s game for the Baltimore Orioles – that is until the sixth inning. And that came after a lengthy delay while manager Brandon Hyde argued with umpires about a call where he felt the O’s got hosed. Voth’s line: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

But winning this game was more about getting guys on base and then getting them in than it was anything else. The Orioles put 19 hits on the board, a season high. And it started with Adley Rutschman’s solo homer in the first.

Jorge Mateo’s RBI-double in the second extended the lead to 2-0. Rutschman would come up again in the fifth, netting the Birds a run on a sac fly-RBI. And that’s part of the story of this game; the O’s just kind of kept talking runs on.

However the top of the sixth brought some controversy, which could have changed the game. With a runner on second and nobody out, Terrin Vavra hit a swinging bunt back to the pitcher, who threw wide of first base. This allowed a run to score. However the umpires ruled that Vavra ran inside the base line, interfering with the throw, and he was called out.

The call was questionable at best. Brandon Hyde came out and argued for awhile, but it was to no avail. End of the day that’s a judgement call. As I said, it was questionable at best. But that was the sort of moment that’s capable of swaying a game. The O’s only led by three at that point…

…but instead, the Orioles used it as a launching point. A launching point to seal the win. The O’s put four runs on the board, taking a 7-0 lead following that moment in the sixth. This included RBI-singles by Jorge Mateo and Cedric Mullins.

Tampa did attempt a comeback. Arozarena smacked a two-run homer on the last of the sixth. But the O’s kept adding on. Odor added an RBI-single, in the seventh, and Cedric Mullins a solo homer in the eighth. Tampa’s Walks would wedge an RBI-double in between those two runs, and Ramon Urias would add a sac fly-RBI in the last of the eighth.

With their 10-3 win this evening, the Al’s have now taken some possession of the final wild card spot in the American League. If the season ended today, they’d be in the playoffs. The team they catapulted over? Tampa.

The series continues tomorrow at Tropicana Field. The Birds have yet to announce a starter, but whomever he is will be opposed by Tampa’s Shane Mclanahan. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall in Boston

Dean Kremer got the start for the Baltimore Orioles in their one-game “series” against Boston at Fenway Park this evening. This was a makeup for a previously postponed game earlier in the year. Kremer’s line: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Boston took an early 1-0 lead in the last of the first on an RBI-single by Verdugo. They would put two more across in the last of the third as well. Pham’s RBI-double and Bogaerts’ sac fly-RBI ran the score to 3-0, Boston.

However the Orioles fought back. Terrin Vavra stayed hot, smacking a two-RBI triple in the sixth. Vavra would later score on an infield RBI-single by Austin Hays.

In short, Hays legged out an infield single. Originally he was called out, but Brandon Hyde challenged the call. Replays upheld the challenge, and the O’s had managed to tie the ballgame.

But it wasn’t meant to be, tonight. Hosmer smacked an RBI-double in the last of the sixth, giving Boston a 4-3 lead. Which turned into a 4-3 victory.

So technically the O’s are once again a half game out of the post season. But they now head to Tampa for a three-game weekend set. And Tampa’s the team they once again trail. Tampa this weekend and Toronto early next week might be the biggest series’ the O’s have played in years.

The series at Tropicana Field opens tomorrow night. Austin Voth gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Cory Kluber. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles’ game against Toronto postponed

The Baltimore Orioles were supposed to complete the current home stand and series against Toronto this evening. But that’s not happening now, as the game was officially postponed. It will be made up as part of a September 5th doubleheader.

September 5th happens to be Labor Day, for the record. The O’s were previously scheduled to take on Toronto in a 1:30 PM matinee at Camden Yards. But now it’ll be a single-admission doubleheader, with game one starting at 1 PM. So you read that right, folks. Two games for the price of one on Labor Day!

The O’s now head to Boston for a one-game makeup tomorrow night at Fenway Park tomorrow night. Austin Voth was the previously scheduled starter, but it’s unclear if it’ll be him of tonight’s scheduled starter (Dean Kremer) on the mound tomorrow. Whomever pitches, he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Josh Winchkowski. Game time is set for just after 7 PM at Fenway Park.

Baltimore Orioles sit half game out after Rougned Odor helps defeat Toronto

The 2022 Baltimore Orioles are typifying the concept of something magic happening everytime you go. This team finds ways to win, and they have more heart than any Orioles team we’ve seen in some time. Kyle Bradish took to the mound last night against Toronto at Camden Yards, setting the tone for the O’s. Bradish’s line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

One of the more important plays in the game was subtle, and it came in the first inning. With runners at first and second (nobody out) Anthony Santander sent a soft line drive to center. Toronto’s center fielder (Merrifield) appeared to catch the ball, okay it back in, and catch both runners (who thought the ball would fall in) off base for an inning-ending triple play. Or was it?

Something looked “off” on the play from the beginning. Sure enough Brandon Hyde challenged the call, and sure enough the umpires ruled that Merrifield had trapped the ball. Meaning it was in play, and everyone was safe – thus loading the bases with nobody out. That’s a HUGE difference in terms of the result of the play. Ryan Mountcastle would later ground into a double-play and Terrin Vavra would smack an RBI-single, giving the O’s a 2-0 lead.

Toronto would get on the board in the second with a solo homer by Bichette. Vavra’s sac fly-RBI in third extended the lead to 3-1. However in the sixth Toronto struck back. Kirk’s RBI-single brought them to within 3-2. But Bichette would strike again later in the inning, giving Toronto a 5-3 lead with a two-run homer.

The teams went back to their respective clubhouses in the middle of the sixth, sitting through a 78-minute rain delay. When play resumed Ryan Mountcastle got the O’s back to within one with an RBI-double in the last of the seventh. One inning later Rougned Odor came to the plate with a runner on base…

…Rougned Odor, mind you, who the Orioles were widely criticized for signing. Granted he’s only hitting .196 for the season, but is a vocal leader in the clubhouse. And yes that’s the same Rougned Odor who would smack a two-run homer last night in the last of the eighth, sending the Birds to a 6-5 victory over Toronto.

Going back to the triple play that wasn’t in the first inning, the O’s put two runs across in the wake of that. In a one-run ballgame, that’s a huge moment. It played a big role in the win, and a big role in the Orioles now having won the series with Toronto.

And it played a big role in the Orioles now sitting a half game out of a playoff spot. Tampa, who currently occupies that spot, plays in Milwaukee this afternoon prior to the O’s playing tonight. And the Orioles go to Tampa this weekend for three games. Moments of consequence. For the Orioles. In August.

The series with Toronto concludes this evening at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Jose Berrios. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Long balls help the Birds in CHASING OCTOBER

Coming into tonight’s game against Toronto, Ryan Mountcastle hadn’t homered for the Baltimore Orioles since July 3rd. One of the stranger storylines of the past month or so. Nevertheless, Jordan Lyles got the start in the series opener against Toronto, a game that ironically was Toronto’s first visit of the year to Camden Yards. Lyles’ line: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K.

This series is huge in the grand scheme of the playoff chase. Toronto came in as the top Wild Card team. And the Orioles of course are competing for a playoff birth. Can we officially say that yet? I feel like we can. And we should.

The O’s took an early 3-0 lead when Ramon Urias smacked a three-run homer in the last of the first. Biggio would get Toronto on the board in the third with a solo shot, but the O’s would get their three-run margin back in the bottom of the inning on Anthony Santander’s solo homer.

Ryan Mountcastle tacked another run on in the fourth, again with a solo home run. It was Mountcastle’s first home run since July 3rd. It would really help the playoff push if he would heat up right about now. He certainly made a difference tonight.

The teams would swap solo homers in the sixth, with Austin Hays hitting one out for the O’s. Tonight was Hays’ return to the lineup after being hurt for a few games. And similarly, now would be the time to heat up if you’re Austin Hays.

Toronto would put two runs across in the eighth, and bring the tying run to the plate. The Oriole bullpen bent…but it didn’t break. Felix Bautista came on to get the final two outs of the inning, and did so by inducing an inning-ending double-play.

Mountcastle would strike again in the last of the eighth, with an RBI-single. That ran the score to 7-4 (in the Orioles’ favor), and acted as an insurance run given that Toronto put two on in the ninth. But the Orioles’ pen was strong once again, with Bautista grounding into a game-ending double-play.

What the Orioles are doing is nothing short of amazing. Brandon Hyde deserves more than just token consideration for Manager of the Year. But more importantly, the Orioles are in this thing, and they have a real shot. Whether they make it or not remains to be seen.

But one way or the other, the Orioles are no fluke. They haven’t just lucked into winning games. They’re a “good team.” And the math says that they’re CHASING OCTOBER.

The series continues tomorrow at Camden Yards. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Alek Manoah. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Controversy mars Birds’ loss

Spencer Watkins’ start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon in the series final at Camden Yards didn’t go quite according to plan. The second time through the order seemed to be his bugaboo, as Pittsburgh hitters figured him out. Watkins’ line: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

The Orioles took a 1-0 lead on Jorge Mateo’s solo homer in the third. However Allen’s RBI-single in the fifth tied the game at one. Mitchell singled a second run home later in the inning, and Pittsburg held a 2-1 lead. After an RBI-groundout, that was extended to 3-1.

Following a fourth run being tacked on, the Birds trailed 4-1 in the seventh. To be clear, it’s tough to argue that you got screwed by the umpires when you only put across one run. But this game will go down as one that did feature controversy, and almost predictably it went against the O’s.

Newman hit an infield single which smacked off of Mateo’s glove and trickled away. Allen was at third and he tried to score. And he was thrown out at home plate – the ball beat the runner to the plate by a country mile.

Pittsburgh challenged the call, citing the rule stating you can’t block home plate. The umpires reviewed the play, and ruled that catcher Robinson Chirinos had in fact violated the rule. The runner was ruled safe at home, and Pittsburgh led 5-1. They would tack on three more, including two on a two/l-run homer by Hayes, to close out an 8-1 win.

The Orioles took two-of-three in this series, so that’s not a bad weekend with Pittsburgh at all. However that was a tough call on the reversal. Crew Chief Rob Kulpa told Brandon Hyde not to come out of the dugout and argue the reversal. He did, and was promptly ejected. And Hyde was LIVID.

Major League Baseball released a statement before the game even ended regarding the call:

The catcher’s initial setup completely in foul territory was illegal and he maintained that position without possession of the ball.

I suppose my question is what exactly is Robinson Chirinos supposed to do there? It was a bang-bang play for sure, however maybe the league needs to review this rule and amend it. Mind you, the ball beat the runner by a long shot. In seeing the play, one could hardly argue that Chirinos impeded the ability of the runner to touch home plate.

The Orioles open a three-game set tomorrow night against Toronto. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Yusei Kikuchi. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.