The curtain fell on the 2023 Baltimore Orioles season on Tuesday night in a very abrupt way. The Birds suffered a 7-1 loss at the hands of the Texas Rangers and were swept 3 games to none in the best of five ALDS; the American League’s best team by record (101-61) will not advance in the Postseason.
The Rangers Chainsaw Massacre
In a similar fashion to Sunday’s game, the Rangers struck early and struck hard, scoring five runs in the second inning to get out to a 6-0 lead and chasing starter and eventual losing pitcher Dean Kremer (0-1) in the process. Kremer, pitching with a heavy heart due to the turmoil in Israel, allowed 6 runs on 7 hits (2 HR) and walked 1 over just 1.2 innings. That was the second straight 1.2 inning effort by an Oriole starter.
The bullpen did its job on Tuesday with Tyler Wells allowing 1 hit and striking out 1 in 1.1 innings and Kyle Gibson (3.0 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 K) stepping up as the veteran of the pitching staff.
DL Hall continued to provide value in a relief role by allowing 1 hit and striking out 3 in 1.2 innings of work. Hall threw 28 pitches, 18 for strikes, topping out at 97.5 mph.
Gunnar Henderson (3 for 4, 1 RBI) paced an anemic offense and was the team’s lone bright spot in the ALDS, going 6 for 12 with 1 homerun, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI and a walk.
Completeing the Baltimore offense on this night was Jordan Westburg (1 for 4, 1 R), Ryan O’Hearn (1 for 3) and Anthony Santander (1 for 3, 1 BB).
In the three game series, the Orioles went 25 for 103 ( .243) with 11 runs scored. No one would have predicted the collective team performance that was on display during the ALDS.