Baltimore Orioles: Four-run second helps lift the Birds over Kansas City

Dean Kremer was the beneficiary of a lot of Baltimore Orioles’ runs today in the series finale in Kansas City. But while he had one inning with a couple of struggles, Kremer also held up his end of the bargain. Kremer’s line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K.

The competitive stage of the game was over fast. Anthony Santander set the tone with a solo homer in the first. One inning later the Orioles went back-to-back with solo homer runs, one by Ryan Mountcastle and one by Rougned Odor. RBI-singles by Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays would run the lead to 5-0.

The Orioles also chased Kansas City’s starter Keller with two outs in the second inning. It’s refreshing to see the Orioles getting to an opposing starting pitcher like that. You know you’re dialed in for a good day when you chase the other team’s starting pitcher that early.

Austin Hays would ground into a force out in the fourth, scoring Cedric Mullins. Anthony Santander would add an RBI-single in the sixth, breaking the game wide open in the Orioles’ favor. Kansas City would also attempt a comeback in the bottom of that sixth inning, netting a run on an errant throw, and cutting the Orioles’ lead to 7-3 on a two-run homer by Dozier.

But if anything, those Kansas City runs inspired the Birds to keep going. They put two runners on in the seventh, and Richie Martin’s two-RBI triple extended the lead to 9-3. Cedric Mullins followed with an RBI-single, and the O’s led 10-3. Kansas City would smack two solo homers in the last of the seventh, an RBI-single in the eighth, and a fielder’s choice-RBI in the eighth. But the O’s ended up with the victory, 10-7. A more narrow win than we might have thought earlier, but a win none the less.

With the win, the Birds split the series in Kansas City. Kauffman Stadium hasn’t been an easy place for them to play over the course of the past few years. And in fact, Kansas City refused to let the O’s go into cruise control. So it was nice to see them turn it up over the second half of this series.

When the O’s head to Toronto starting tomorrow night, we’re told that there will be a few players who won’t be making the trip. Canada has different COVID vaccination requirements than does the United States, meaning that some players won’t be able to enter the country. So things will look a bit different for the next few days, and we’ll know which players are being affected sometime before tomorrow’s game.

The O’s now head north of the border for the aforementioned series at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Toronto’s Alec Manoah. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Tyler Nevin propels the Birds to victory

Tyler Wells had a couple of struggles out of the gate for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon in Kansas City. Just a couple. But the key was that he settled down, allowing his teammates to pick him up by putting some runs on the board. This whole Wells pitched to a quality start. Wells’ line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

Wells gave up an RBI-double to Perez in the last of the first, and an RBI-triple and RBI-single to Isbel and Rivera respectively in the last of the fourth. And it looked like Kansas City was off to taking game three of this four-game set also. Again, it looked that way. But the Birds had other ideas for how today was going to go.

Cedric Mullins would get the O’s on the board in the fifth with an RBI-single. But the key moment of the game was one inning later. The Orioles put two on with one out as Tyler Nevin strode to home plate. And on a week when his Dad (Phil) was named the interim manager of the Los Angeles Angels, (Tyler) Nevin decided to keep the family gravy train going…

… it to mention the Orioles’ gravy train. Nevin smacked a three-run homer to center, catapulting the Orioles into the lead at 4-3. Make no mistake that with the Birds having had their struggles in the first two games of this series, that was a big moment for more than one reason. Obviously it was huge for the game itself. But it also seemed to energize the O’s, which bodes well going into tomorrow and onward.

Austin Hays would give the Birds an insurance run in the seventh with an RBI-single. They got a second insurance run in the eighth when Adley Rutschman scored on a wild pitch. And it’s a good thing they got those insurance runs, as Kansas City would load the bases with nobody out in the last of the eighth. But reliever Dillon Tate got himself out of the mess only surrendering one run – a sac fly by Taylor.

The O’s would go on to close out Kansas City in the ninth, winning the game 6-4. It’s a big win because it snaps a mini-losing streak, and because it gives the team confidence. Before the game Ramon Urias was sent to the 10-day IL with an oblique strain. As a result, the Birds selected the contract of Richie Martin fro triple-A Norfolk.

The series in Kansas City concludes tomorrow afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Kansas City’s Brad Keller. Game time is set for just after 2 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Bruce Zimmermann struggles in Kansas City loss

Baltimore Orioles’ starter Bruce Zimmermann had another struggling outing last night against Kansas City. Awhile back I suggested that the league was figuring Zimmermann out, and I stand by that. However Zimmermann can’t stand by and continue to allow opponents to figure him out. He needs to re-adjust as well. Zimmermann’s line: 4.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Zimmermann gave up an RBI-double to Benintendi and a two-run homer to Perez in the first inning. Perez would come up again in the last of the third and smacked another home run. A solo shot, for the record.

Two innings later in the fifth Melendez would smack a three-run homer, breaking the game wide open. Zimmermann pitches-to-contact almost exclusively. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing in the least. But when you pitch-to-contact and the opponent is touching up just about everything you put out there, you’ll see starts like this.

Taylor smacked a solo homer of his own in the sixth, running the score to 8-0. The O’s would threaten in the eighth with the bases loaded, but Kansas City worked out of the jam. The Birds’ lone run came in the top of the ninth on a solo homer by Anthony Santander.

The series continues this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. Tyler Wells gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Kansas City’s Daniel Lynch. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.

Baltimore Orioles rally but fall

Baltimore Orioles’ starter Jordan Lyles was hit semi-hard last night in Kansas City. Now the good news is that the O’s battled back at the plate and were competitive. But it always helps when you can get solid starting pitching. And for the most part Lyles has been solid – he just had a tough game yesterday. Lyles’ line: 5.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 1 K.

The O’s actually had the lead first in the game. Trey Mancini reached on a fielder’s choice in the top of the third, and Jorge Mateo scored on an errant throw to the plate, giving the Birds a 1-0 lead. Now unfortunately, Mancini turned a little too far off of first base and was thrown out. Maybe that was a harbinger for the rest of the game.

The lead didn’t last long for the Orioles. Perez’s two-RBI single gave Kansas City a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning Melendez smacked a two-run home run. And the Orioles trailed 4-1.

But the fifth inning saw this young Orioles team fighting back. Austin Hays smacked an RBI-single in the fifth, cutting the Kansas City lead to 4-2. Later in the inning Ryan Mountcastle’s two-RBI double tied the game at four.

Win or lose, this team always battles and they’re fun to watch. And that does mean something – in my view. They’re scrappy, and they don’t go away easily. That bodes well for the future.

But Kansas City took the lead right back. Santana’s two-run homer in the last of the fifth gave them the lead back at 6-4. an inning later Witt’s sac fly-RBI extended that lead to 7-4. The Birds would rally again in the eighth with Cedric Mullins’ RBI-double, but they ran out of time. And Kansas City took game one of the four-game set, 7-5.

The series continues this evening at Kauffman Stadium. Bruce Zimmermann gets the call for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Kansas City’s Jonathan Heasley. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.

Baltimore Orioles rock the yard in win vs. Chicago

I’m going to assume that Baltimore Orioles’ manager Brandon Hyde had starter Kyle Bradish on a pitch count this evening. He was lifted with one put to go in order to qualify for a win – which seems odd to me. Bradish was my struggling, and it seemed like a foregone conclusion that he’d at least leave the game with a chance to be the winner. Bradish’s line: 4.2 4 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 5 K.

I do think that Bradish should have at least been allowed to try to get the final out. Because winning games is a big deal to pitchers. But I maintain that big league managers (such as Brandon Hyde) have forgotten more baseball than I’ll ever know. It’s tough for me to second guess their moves, especially in a winning effort by the team overall.

Bradish gave up a solo homer to Morel on the first pitch of the game. But that was the lone offensive highlight for Chicago. Cedric Mullins almost immediately tied the game at one with a solo homer in the last of the first. And unbeknownst to anyone, that’s as close as Chicago was going to get.

One inning later Jorge Mateo smacked a three-run homer, giving the Birds a 5-1 lead. Incidentally, we talk a lot about nothing good happening after a walk. Two Orioles were on base for Mateo’s at-bat due to being hit by a pitch, which is the same as a walk (more painful for the hitter, obviously). So that goes both ways; get guys on base, and good things can happen.

In the last of the third the O’s added two more on Austin Hays’ RBI-double, and Ryan Mountcastle’s sac fly-RBI. Chicago did attempt to rally, however. Contreras smacked a solo homer in the fifth, and Morel an RBI-triple in the sixth. But as I said above, 1-1 was the closest that they got tonight.

Ramon Urias would smack a solo homer in the last of the sixth for good measure. But this was an Oriole team that was determined to hang Chicago with a L this evening. This referencing of course the W and L flags that fly at Wrigley Field. The O’s got it done with timely hitting and good pitching – always a good combination. In what’s only a two-game set, this was a great start.

Going back to Hyde pulling Bradish, again I’m sure he has his reasons. It just seems odd to me that you wouldn’t let the guy get one more out to attempt to qualify for the win. But again, I find it tough to second guess a big league manager.

The series concludes tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Jordan Lyles gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Marcus Stroman. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Is Dean Kremer the new fifth starter?

Dean Kremer was called up from the IL to make the start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon. This of course in the series finale against Cleveland. Kremer and the Birds took the loss, but overall I’d say that Kremer had a decent outing. Kremer’s line: 4.1 IP. 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

Kremer was lifted in the top of the fourth after throwing 67 pitches. Understandably, he was on a pitch count. This after being on the Injured List.

Kremer made one bad pitch; to Giminez in the first inning with two on. And the ball ended up in the stands, giving Cleveland a 3-0 lead early.

But neither Kremer, nor the bullpen gave up any further runs. And Kremer settled down, which is good to see. Pitchers are going to get themselves in trouble and give up runs. It’s how they bounce back that matters.

Ryan Mountcastle’s two-run homer in the fourth accounted for the Birds’ only runs of the game. And given how Cleveland’s starter, Plesax, pitched today, they may have been lucky to get those two runs. Plesac only made one bad pitch all day also. The only difference was there was only one runner on base at the time. As opposed to two runners on when Kremer made his bad pitch.

The Orioles are certainly hoping that Dean Kremer can be the fifth man in the rotation here for at least awhile. You’ll recall that they had a spot start last week – because there was no fifth starter. But Kremer was good out there today. Hopefully for his sake, that ends up being the case.

Baltimore Orioles’ Jorge Lopez proves worth in multi-inning save

The Baltimore Orioles sent Tyler Wells to the mound this afternoon looking to avenge last night’s loss to Cleveland. Wells was a little “hit or miss,” and didn’t stick around long enough to qualify for the win. But he put the team in a good spot in a sense. Wells’ line: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K.

Wells found himself in an early hole when Ramirez smacked a solo homer in the first inning. But it was a small hole, and it was short-lived. Trey Mancini followed suit in the last of the first with a solo shot of his own, tying the game at one.

But the tie was short-lived also, because Giminez’s solo homer in the second gave Cleveland the lead back at 2-1. But guess what?! Go figure, but Cleveland couldn’t hold the lead! Austin Hays came up in the last of the third with two runners on, and smacked a three-run homer. The Birds led 4-2.

One inning later Rougned Odor joined the party, with a solo shot of his own. In total, the Orioles hit three home runs today. And those three home runs accounted for all of their runs.

But Cleveland would threaten twice more in the game. They loaded the bases in the fifth and scored two runs on two RBI-ground outs. They also loaded the bases in the eighth against Jorge Lopez. Lopez came in with two on and two out to attempt a multi-inning save. And he hit a batsman with his first pitch.

The pressure was on Lopez moving forward. But he was able to get Naylor to fly out, ending the threat. He also sent Cleveland down 1-2-3 in the ninth, earning his seventh save of the season. For the record, Dylan Tate was pretty good out of the bullpen as well, earning a hold.

Lopez proved his worth to the organization today. A multi-inning save isn’t easy. Even if you end the previous inning, some guys will then struggle in the ninth. Lopez didn’t today, and got the win for the team.

The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. The Orioles will announce their starter tomorrow morning, and Cleveland will throw Zach Plesac. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: The league has adjusted to Bruce Zimmermann

Bruce Zimmermann struggled for the Baltimore Orioles this evening in the first of three with Cleveland. They jumped on him early and often. In fairness, Oriole bats were “off” also; the Birds didn’t get their first base hit until the sixth inning. But it all begins and ends with starting pitching. Zimmermann’s line: 5.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 0 BB, 1 K.

As I said, Cleveland jumped on Zimmermann, swinging early and often. And Zimmermann was pitching to contact, as evidenced by the aforementioned ten hits, zero walks, and one strikeout. Cleveland took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-RBI double by Miller.

Miller would come up to bat again in the third, and produced a two-RBI single, doubling the lead. Later in the inning Naylor added an RBI-single, and then an RBI-double in the seventh. Again as per Zimmermann’s line score referenced above, that last run wasn’t charged to him (he had already left the game). B

But the O’s did put up a fight. Trey Mancini smacked a two-RBI double, and Anthony Santander an RBI-single in the last of the eighth. However while these O’s don’t quit and they play until the end, Cleveland took game one of the series, 6-3.

In his last four starts (including tonight), Bruce Zimmermann has surrendered between 4-6 runs. That’s way up from the 0-3 he was giving up in the beginning of the season. So…what gives?

I would submit that in effect, the rest of the league has adjusted (or is adjusting) to Zimmermann. Which means that between now and his next start, he has to really buckle down with his coaches and come up with a plan.

When the league adjusts to you and your style, it’s incumbent on YOU to adjust also. Otherwise your stay in the majors won’t be long. If you keep your stuff and your game plan fresh, you can end up having staying power. So again, Zimmermann needs to work with his coaches between starts to tweak his stuff up so as to keep opponents guessing.

The series continues tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. Tyler Wells gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Tristan McKenzie. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Happy birthday to Mighty Casey!

The Baltimore Orioles may well have a few things in common with the “mythical” Mudville 9. I say that of course because today is the “birthday” of one of my favorite American poems, Casey at the Bat, by Ernest Thayer. The poem was published on June 3, 1888, and of course features the Mighty Casey, who had the gall to strike out in a key moment of a game.

It’s a poem that’s beloved in baseball circles, and as I said it’s one of my favorite American poems. But in a way I’ve always felt badly for Casey. The guy struck out – it happens! However I think it’s the drama laid out in the poem which is what makes it so beloved.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
and Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped—
“That ain’t my style,” said Casey. “Strike one,” the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.
“Kill him! Kill the umpire!” shouted someone on the stand;
and it’s likely they’d have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;
he stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
he signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;
but Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said: “Strike two.”

“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and Echo answered fraud;
but one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
and they knew that Casey wouldn’t let that ball go by again.

That kind of paints a dramatic picture. As does the conclusion:

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
the band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
and somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
but there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.

Again, I’ve always felt that “the Mighty Casey” got a bit of an unfair spin. However the poem also has a very human quality to it in that nobody’s going to succeed 100% of the time. We all stumble and fall. But there is a chance at redemption, as is evidenced by a sequel to the poem by Grantland Rice circa 1906-07:

O, somewhere in this favored land dark clouds may hide the sun,

And somewhere bands no longer play and children have no fun!

And somewhere over blighted lives there hangs a heavy pall,

But Mudville hearts are happy now, for Casey hit the ball.

Put together, those two poems tell a story about the American spirit. We may fail, but through failure can come success if you keep at it. And to me, that’s what Casey at the Bat has always represented. We see that in the Orioles every game, which is why perhaps they do have a lot in common with “the Mudville 9.”

Baltimore Orioles fall in extras

Jordan Lyles took to the mound last night for the Baltimore Orioles in the series finale against Seattle. In effect, he was bled to death by paper cuts – a base hit here, a walk there. Those things add up in games if you give up enough of them. Lyles’ line: 5 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 3 K.

The Birds took the lead early. Austin Hays’ RBI-single in the first inning gave them a 1-0 lead. Ryan Mountcastle would follow later in the inning with an RBI-double, and the O’s led 2-0.

But they ran into trouble starting in the third. Winker’s RBI-single cut the lead in half at 2-1. With a runner at third later in the inning, Rodriguez would attempt to steal second. But Adley Rutschman’s errant throw allowed the runner to score, tying the game.

And while Rutschman was baseball’s top prospect for some time, he’s still a rookie and he’s still learning. You have to allow for those types of mistakes with a young catcher. But as much potential as Rutschman has, odds are he’ll use it as a learning experience and simply get better. Sure enough, he nailed a runner at second later in the game.

The O’s took the lead back however on Hays’ second RBI-single of the game in the bottom of that inning. But Seattle stormed back in the sixth, putting up three runs and taking a 6-3 lead. Ramon Urias’ RBI-double netted one back for the O’s in the last of the sixth inning, but the damage was done.

Or was it? Because Cedric Mullins smacked a two-RBI double later in the inning to tie the game back up at six. Win or lose, these Orioles battle. And another thing about them…they don’t get cheated at the plate. They complete their at-bats, and they don’t give in.

The score remained tied, and to extra innings we went. Seattle would win it on Toro’s run-scoring triple in the tenth. This of course given MLB’s extra-innings ghost runner rule, starting the inning with a runner on second base. So it goes as an unearned run.

Tough game to lose, but again you have to look at the fact that the O’s battled. The bigger loss for the team is that we found out before the game that top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez will be sidelined for much of the season with a strained lateral muscle. Tough pill to swallow for the organization, but you have to work through issues like this. Reliever Joey Krehbiel also exited the game in the sixth with shoulder discomfort, and will undergo tests today.

The Orioles will now open up a three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians this evening at Camden Yards. Bruce Zimmermann gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Cleveland’s Shane Bieber. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.