Baltimore Orioles battle but drop first of a twin bill

Once starter John Means was able to settle down in the first game of two against Seattle today, he looked pretty good. Given that the game was only seven innings due to MLB’s doubleheader rule, I’m not sure what constitutes a quality start in this game. But Means may have pitched one. Means’ line: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

Means gave up solo homer to France and Murphy in the first and second innings respectively. But again, after that he was pretty solid. He also surrendered an RBI-single to Haniger in the second, and that was it.

The issue was that his mound counterpart, Seattle’s Sheffield, was equally as good. He surrendered a two-run homer to Ramon Urias in the last of the fifth, which cut the Seattle lead to 3-2. Other than that, he kept the Orioles off the board.

But after Sheffield exited in following the sixth inning, things got interesting. With a runner on second, DJ Stewart smacked an RBI-double, tying the game at three. Which meant that we had to go to an eighth inning, which technically is extra innings. (Due to MLB’s doubleheader rule, which makes for two seven-inning games.)

However Seager’s RBI-double in the top of the eighth proved to be the eventual winning run for Seattle. However you have to admire the fight in the Birds, battling back against the Seattle bullpen. And they’ll get another shot at them very soon again this evening.

The series and the doubleheader will continue here in short order at Camden Yards with game two. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Seattle’s Nick Margevicius. The game will start at approximately 7:15 PM.

Baltimore Orioles rained out, doubleheader tomorrow

The Baltimore Orioles game tonight against Seattle has been rained out. Rain started at Oriole Park at Camden Yards just prior to the scheduled first pitch at 7 PM. And the forecast isn’t conducive to playing tonight.

So the O’s and Seattle will play a single admission doubleheader at Camden Yards tomorrow with game one starting at 4 PM. Game two will begin roughly 30 minutes after the completion of the first game, with both games being shortened to seven innings. John Means will get the start for the Birds in game one, and he’ll be opposed by Seattle’s Justus Sheffield.

Baltimore Orioles: Multiple Boston homers sweep Birds away

It didn’t seem to matter what the Baltimore Orioles did today. It didn’t work. Or rarely worked, that is. Jorge Lopez hit the start today in the finale with Boston, and made some decent pitches. They just got hit. Lopez’s line: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Boston got a three-run homer by Verdugo in the third, which set up the rest of the game. That was followed by a solo shot by Martinez. And the O’s found themselves behind 4-0.

The Birds loaded the bases in the last of the third, and it appeared that they had a golden opportunity to get back in the game. With two outs Freddy Galvis tried to score on a passed ball. But Galvis was called out, ending the inning.

The umpires reviewed the play, however. The pitcher appeared to block home plate as Galvis came in – which is now against the rules. Yet despite what appeared to be clear and convincing evidence, the call was upheld.

The Birds would get a run in the last of the fourth on an RBI-single by Maikel Franco. But Boston would come right back in the fifth. They were aggressive early in counts for the entire series. Today was no exception. Martinez smacked an RBI-single, Devers a three-run homer, and Hernandez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. To top it off, one inning later in the sixth Herandez would smack a solo homer to run the score to 10-1.

But we did hear from the O’s again before the game ended. They put two runners on in the sixth, with Franco coming back up. And Franco’s two-run homer cut the Boston lead to 10-4. One inning later, they also got a three-run shot from Trey Mancini, cutting the lead to 10-7. But Boston wasn’t done. Martinez smacked a third homer in the eighth, running it to 11-7.

And Boston still wasn’t done. Devers smacked his second homer in the game, this a two-run shot in the eighth. Later in the inning the O’s botched a grounder in the infield, allowing a 14th run to score. All in all, Martinez smacked three bombs, and Devers two, as Boston swept the O’s away.

The O’s would score two garbage runs in the ninth to run the final to 14-9. I suppose the silver lining is that the O’s put seven runs on the board. But they couldn’t keep guys off base. And Boston was happy to mercilessly tee off on that. Just a reminder, folks…every team has games like this. Boston did last Sunday against the Orioles. You come back again tomorrow and try to be better.

The Orioles will open up a four-game set with Seattle tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Seattle’s Justus Sheffield. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall short in extra’s

Bruce Zimmerman got the opportunity of a lifetime this evening; the Baltimore-native started a game for the Baltimore Orioles. He had played at Camden Yards before, but this was the first time he had the opportunity to do so in front of fans. Many of whom he probably knew or was related to. It’s one thing to make it to the majors. It’s quite another to do so with your hometown team (and to record a quality start). Zimmerman’s line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 K.

Unfortunately Zimmerman was greeted rudely. Devers’ RBI-single in the first inning gave Boston a 1-0 lead. Devers would later get caught stealing to end the inning. However he was merely a diversion, as the lead runner was able to come around and score before the rundown ended.

That’s another case of getting guys on base and having something happen. Zimmerman didn’t make a bad pitch that got hit – allowing a run to score. But guys were on base, and something happened without a pitch being thrown. That shows the importance of keeping ducks off the pond.

But that was only the first inning. And the good news is that at least in the first, Oriole bats were hot. In a made-for-Baltimore moment, Trey Mancini smacked his first homer of 2021, and his first since coming back. It’s moments like that, and like the Standing O he received on Thursday, which make baseball great.

Anthony Santander came up after Mancini, and went back-to-back with a solo homer of his own. This tied the game at two runs each. And there it remained until the sixth when Devers cranked a solo homer, giving Boston the lead back at 3-2.

However with a runner already on base and nobody out in the last of the eighth, we saw perhaps the play of the game from the Orioles’ standpoint. DJ Stewart smacked a double to dead center field, splitting the outfielders. That put two in scoring position with nobody down.

Stewart knew enough to understand his job was to get on base. So he hit it where they weren’t. And it’s that sort of situational hitting which will win you ballgames. It didn’t happen tonight, but that wins you games.

Maikel Franco‘s fielder’s choice-RBI later in the inning would tie the game at three. And Freddy Galvis‘ RBI-single would give the Birds a 4-3 lead. However Boston would get a couple of runners on in the ninth, and Dalbec’s fielder’s choice-RBI would tie the game. And Boston wasn’t finished. They’d put two on the board in the top of the tenth, walking away with a 6-4 win.

The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at Camden Yards. Jorge Lopez gets the call for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Nick Pivetta. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles continue series against Boston

The Baltimore Orioles will continue their first home series this evening with the Boston Red Sox. Win or lose, Opening Day/the home opener is always an event, and always an amazing moment in Baltimore. Then the obligatory day off following it hits. And it hits like a ton of bricks.

Obviously that’s built into the schedule to accommodate the potential for a rain out. Especially this early in the season. It’s always a waiting game on that day off, however.

But luckily the series continues this evening at Camden Yards. Baltimore native Bruce Zimmerman gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Garrett Richards. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Musings on Ryan Mountcastle and umpires

One of the early season storylines for the Baltimore Orioles has been the outfield play of Ryan Mountcastle. To be blunt, Mountcastle’s been suspect in the field. Misplaying balls, taking ineffective routes to collect balls, etc. With Austin Hays on the IL, fans should get used to Mountcastle in the outfield for the time being.

Manager Brandon Hyde has been steadfast in his support for Mountcastle in the outfield, and he very much believes in him. This is evidenced by Hyde’s commentary following an errant play Mountcastle made earlier this week in New York (quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports):

I thought the ball came off hot, it’s windy, it hooked. I think it was a lack of experience, honestly, and I think we all have to remember that Ryan has not played much outfield. He did a nice job for the 30-plus games he was out there last year, he was a convert from last year, but it’s still going to be a new position. He’s going to make mistakes in the outfield. We’re OK with that. We’re going to be patient with him.

And while at times Mountcastle’s play is allowing base runners and runs to score, that’s unfortunately part of learning. It’s part of having a young team. It’s part of what GM Mike Elias and Brandon Hyde have been asking the fan base to buy into. This isn’t to say that they aren’t working with Mountcastle to help him to improve, but it’s all part of the process.

On a separate note, the Orioles and Orioles’ fans in the stands at Camden Yards yesterday became increasingly upset at some of the calls that went against the Birds. To be clear, the fourth inning strike/HBP involving Rio Ruiz could have gone either way. Upon looking at replay, it was probably a more reasonable call than previously thought.

I think Hyde’s issue with it was more the quick ejection as much as anything else. His comment after the game was that he asked one too many times how the umpires could see that as a swing. My personal opinion is that it was a pretty quick hook Especially for a hometown manager in his team’s home opener.

As the game went on there was the impression that close calls were persistently going Boston’s way. The hometown crowd took every opportunity they got to make their presence felt towards the umpires.

Here’s what folks need to remember; umpires don’t have a tally in their heads. At least they aren’t supposed to. They aren’t supposed to keep track of how many calls each team is getting. They’re supposed to call things as they see them. Now with that said, whether all of the calls are the correct calls is another story. But the story at least for yesterday was that there’s the impression that close calls went against the Orioles. Needless to say, Brandon Hyde didn’t need to be ejected as quickly as he was.

Baltimore Orioles: Birds fall in home opener; Brandon Hyde tossed

For the first time since September of 2019, the Baltimore Orioles welcomed fans into Oriole Park at Camden Yards this afternoon. The O’s started Matt Harvey in today’s home opener against Boston, and with mixed results. Harvey’s line: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Harvey gave up a two-run homer to Devers in the first, which gave Boston a 2-0 lead. However the Birds, you know, the home team who’s celebrating their home opener, battled back almost immediately. Ryan Mountcastle countered with a two-run homer of his own in the last of the sixth. Pedro Severino also added a solo shot in the fourth to give the O’s a 3-2 lead.

However following the Birds taking the lead the game took a strange turn. Rio Ruiz appeared to be checking his swing, and was then hit by a pitch. However the umpire gave the strike instead of the HBP. Manager Brandon Hyde came out and argued, and was VERY promptly ejected.

Personally I thought it was a very quick hook. Especially for the hometown manager in the home opener. Furthermore Hyde and Ruiz appeared to be right, according to replays. In fact, it struck me all game that many borderline calls went Boston’s way. In Baltimore. On Opening Day.

However that would rally Boston. Arroyo grounded out in the sixth which tied the game, and Cordero’s RBI-single later in the inning gave Boston a 4-3 lead. Martinez’s RBI-double and Gonzalez’s RBI-single in the seventh extended that lead to 6-3. Hernandez’s solo homer in the eighth would cap off their 7-3 win.

Hyde was right to stick up for the team. But somehow it rallied Boston more than it did the Orioles. Credit to Boston for feeling the energy, but somehow the O’s didn’t. I’m not sure what that says about either team, but it’s a fact.

The good news is that there are 80 more home games to go. And hope always springs eternal on Opening Day. This was one game out 162. After an off day tomorrow, we’ll come back and do it all again on Saturday.

Baltimore Orioles snap twelve-game losing streak in the Bronx

The Baltimore Orioles sent John Means to the mound at Yankee Stadium tonight, hoping to salvage one in the Bronx. Means in essence played the role of set up man, given how long he was in the game. Means’ line: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K.

Brandon Hyde would lift means with two outs in the fifth I thought that was a mistake, however it worked out for the Orioles. But in general that’s one criticism I’d make of Hyde. Ultimately however KC he’s the manager and he knows the game.

New York took the lead in the third on an RBI-single by Hicks. However one inning later the game was tied after Cedric Mullins‘ solo homer. It was a ball that just kept carrying, and that made it over the wall.

Later in the inning the O’s took their first lead of the series on another solo homer – this time by Anthony Santander. And this homer was no cheapie. It would have been a homer in most parks.

And heat lead held up for the O’s, until the final moments of regulation, appeared to have things under control. However in the last of the eighth Urshela sent a double to left field. It ticked off the glove of Ryan Mountcastle, allowing a run to score.

It’s defensive miscues like that which will do you in. Mountcastle’s a rookie, and he’ll learn from this. However the fact is that these games count. Luckily however, the Birds stopped the blessing and allowed only the one additional run.

The teams swapped runs in the tenth, and come the eleventh the Birds were set to take the lead back. Chance Sisco pinch hit in the eleventh, and of course under MLB’s extra inning rules, each inning begins with a runner on second. As a result, Sisco’s RBI-single put the Birds back in the driver’s seat with a 4-3 lead. And a 4-3 win.

The win snaps a 12-game losing streak for the O’s at Yankee Stadium. But it was also a big win for the player’s mindset. “Just win baby!”

The Orioles now head for home in anticipation of tomorrow’s home opener at Camden Yards against the Boston Red Sox. Matt Harvey gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Eduardo Rodriguez. First pitch is set for just after 3 PM.

Baltimore Orioles fall again in the Bronx

Dean Kremer made his first start of the 2021 season for the Baltimore Orioles this evening at Yankee Stadium. Similar to what we saw last night, the numbers aren’t as bad as they would indicate. Kremer’s line: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 5 K.

Kremer surrendered a solo homer to Bruce in the second inning. He then loaded the bases with nobody out in the third. And he managed to pitch out of it. Pitchers will get themselves into trouble; it’s the nature of the position. Decent ones will get themselves out of it. Kremer did that.

However after Kremer departed the game in the fourth the bases were loaded again. And NY would later score on a double-play (no RBI), giving them a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning Judge would notch an RBI-single, and Stanton an RBI-double in the last of the seventh. One inning later Judge would break the game wide open with a three-run homer.

However something interesting happened in the top of the ninth. New York still had that 7-0 lead, and there were two outs. Game’s over, right?

Ryan Mountcastle appeared to reach on an infield single. New York decided to challenge the play, and the call was upheld. Now personally, I thought it was a petty challenge. Winning 7-0, two outs in the ninth…it didn’t seem like a call that needed to be challenged. But on top of that, the New York bench seemed to chirp an awful lot after the call was upheld.

Again, it all seemed petty to me. But next up was Rio Ruiz, and he smacked a two-run homer. Also the first home run of the season for the O’s.

The pettiness seemed to inspire the O’s. Ironically it probably proved New York’s point, meaning that it wasn’t necessarily petty to challenge that call. But the point remains that you should play until the final out – win or lose.

The series concludes tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium. John Means gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Jameson Taillon. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Mac Sceroler keeps it in the family in losing effort

The Baltimore Orioles suffered their first loss of 2021 at Yankee Stadium this evening. Starter Jorge Lopez pitched better than his stat line indicates. Lopez’s line: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 5 K.

Lopez gave up a solo homer to Judge in the last of the fourth. In most ballparks that might not have been a home run, however Yankee Stadium of course has a short porch in right field. Hicks would walk with the bases loaded an inning later, chasing Lopez.

However the bases remained loaded for Stanton. And he took a pitch right down Broadway and sent it deep into the centerfield grandstand. That blew the game wide open, and LeMahieu’s RBI-single cemented the victory in a New York minute with an RBI-single in the last of the sixth.

But there was an aspect of this game that was very noteworthy for the O’s. They brought in Rule 5 pitcher Mac Sceroler in the sixth inning in a tight spot. Sceroler was previously of the Philadelphia Phillies’ organization, and is the nephew of former Oriole Ben McDonald.

Sceroler came into the game in a heck of a jam, one out and bases loaded. Oh, and Judge coming to the plate. But he managed to strike Judge out. And he induced a pop out of Hicks to end the inning.

Make no mistake that Mac Sceroler was the story of this game. He pitched 2.2 innings (closed the game out), and surrendered two walks. He shut down one of the most potent lineups in baseball. Granted he came in when the game was out of reach as it was, but what he did was incredible.

And he did it primarily with his fastball. Which is highly reminiscent of his Uncle Ben. He also had a very effective change up, which always compliments a flamethrower. However needless to say, it had to be a proud moment for Ben McDonald seeing his nephew make his big league debut. Especially for his former team.

As for the rest of the game, Stanton’s grand slam came on the heels of three walks. Including a lead off walk. The Orioles need to limit that. Less traffic on the base paths equals fewer opportunities for teams to score runs against them.

The series continues tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Gerrit Cole. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.