What happened? Cole Irvin allowed five runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings as the Texas Rangers broke a six-game losing streak with an 11-2 win over the Orioles on Sunday night.
Irvin (6-5) had his fourth straight rough start. In his previous one, he allowed eight runs, four unearned, on 10 hits in four innings. Irvin’s earned-run average has risen from 2.87 to 4.13 in his last four starts.
Wyatt Langford hit for the cycle, driving in four runs. Derek Hill hit two home runs, the first off Irvin and the second against Nick Vespi, who allowed three runs. Hill also homered on Saturday night. Langford’s cycle was the first of the season in the major leagues.
Texas starter Andrew Heaney (3-9) allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. The Orioles had won four straight after losing five in a row.
Ryan O’Hearn had three hits. Gunnar Henderson, who announced that he’d participate in the Home Run Derby on July 15th, struck out four times as his on-base streak ended at 36 games.
The Orioles (53-31) end their difficult month percentage points ahead of the New York Yankees in the American League East. The Yankees beat Toronto, 8-1.
Henderson in Home Run Derby: During the ESPN telecast, Henderson announced that he would participate in the Home Run Derby on July 15th. The Derby is held the night before the All-Star Game, which this year will be played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on July 16th.
Henderson was the leading vote-getter in the first phase of All-Star voting among shortstops.
Memorable month: The Orioles played 29 games in 30 days in June and were 17-12. It was the third consecutive month the Orioles won 17 games, and they set a franchise record of 22 consecutive games hitting a home run. They didn’t homer on Sunday.
What does it mean? On the ESPN telecast, there was much discussion about the Orioles’ need for another starter and being in position to acquire one.
Irvin pitched well until June 13th, the day before Kyle Bradish had season-ending elbow injury.
Unlike most of the Orioles’ starters this season, Irvin has been healthy. The Orioles have lost Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells to season-ending elbow surgeries, and they’ve been without Dean Kremer since his May 20th start at St. Louis because of a strained right triceps muscle.
Kremer might return this week for the Orioles’ series in Seattle, and Irvin’s place in the starting rotation may be in question.
Albert Suárez had a strong start on Friday night (six scoreless innings, three hits), and rookie Cade Povich recorded his first big league win on Saturday night.
Last year, Irvin was sent to the minor leagues after three difficult starts to begin the season, and he ended up pitching 24 times for the Orioles—12 in relief, so a move to the bullpen wouldn’t be surprising.
“I thought he struggled with his command,” manager Brandon Hyde told reporters after the game. “When he got it in the zone, they took good swings on him.”
What’s the stat of the day? 36. Henderson’s streak was the longest by an Oriole since Nick Markakis in 2009.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Leftfielder Kyle Stowers hit a three-run home run, the 53rd of his Tides career, setting a franchise record. Norfolk’s game with Charlotte was suspended with the score tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Double-A Bowie swept a doubleheader from Reading, winning the first game, 2-1, in 10 innings. Five Baysox pitchers held Reading to three hits. Designated hitter TT Bowens homered. The Baysox beat Reading, 6-3, in the second game.
Designated hitter Tavian Josenberger hit a three-run home run, rightfielder Douglas Hodo also drove in three runs and centerfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. had three hits and scored four runs in High-A Aberdeen’s 11-10 win over Brooklyn.
Starter Jacob Cravey threw four hitless innings, striking out seven and walking three as Single-A Delmarva beat Down East, 2-1. Down East had just two hits. First baseman Stiven Acevedo homered.
Julio Teheran opted out of his minor league contract with the Orioles.
What’s next? The Orioles are off on Monday. Grayson Rodriguez (9-3, 3.72) will face George Kirby (7-5, 3.35) when the Orioles open a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night at 9:40.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com