BALTIMORE–What happened? Suddenly, the late innings are can’t miss for Orioles fans. Seemingly no matter what happens in the early innings, the Orioles will find a way to win.
For the fourth time in five games on this homestand, the Orioles overcame an early deficit and won in their last at-bat.
This time, Dylan Beavers singled down the right field line to give the Orioles another walk-off win, 2-1 over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 10 innings before 18,210 fans at Camden Yards on Wednesday night.
With automatic runner Jorge Mateo at second, Colton Cowser drew a walk against Pirates reliever Kyle Nicolas (1-1) and Daniel Johnson, attempting to sacrifice, bunted down the third base line for a single.
The 24-year-old Beavers, who was called up on August 16th, fell behind 0-2 before working the count to 3-2. He then ripped a 98-mph fastball down the first base line to score Mateo with the winning run.
“I just wanted to get the job done, bases loaded no outs, just get that run in from third,” Beavers said. “Whether a ground ball through the hole or sac fly, just try to end the game.”
Albert Suárez (2-0) pitched a scoreless 10th for the Orioles.
Although the Orioles (68-77) left the playoff hunt long ago, it doesn’t make these wins over the Dodgers and Pirates any less exciting. They’re using the end of a disappointing season to evaluate players for 2026. They’ve discovered that Beavers and 21-year-old Samuel Basallo, who came up a day after Beavers and had walk-off hits on Friday and Tuesday, are clutch performers.
“With all the circumstances and a lot of guys kind of fighting for their careers and they’re continuing to play,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said.
“Our guys are hanging in there, they’re battling, they’re playing defense, they’re taking care of the ball right now, keeping us in the game, getting the big hit when we need it, drawing the big walk, and it’s been fun.”
How exciting was the pitching? For the first five innings, the fans were treated to a vintage pitching duel.
There was Paul Skenes, the brilliant Pirates starter, who has dazzled major league hitters since his May 2024 debut. In the other dugout, Tyler Wells was starting just his second game since right elbow surgery in June 2024.
Skenes was dominant for five, allowing two hits and striking out seven before Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly removed him after 64 pitches in an attempt to limit his innings.
Wells allowed just one hit in 6 2/3 innings, a fourth-inning home run by Spencer Horwitz, who’s from Timonium. His start was one out short of his career high, and the longest since June 15th, 2023.
“Being at the top of my game and making sure I’m going out there and giving the team a chance to win, that’s where my primary focus was,” Wells said. “Two very big guys going out there and two very different ways of pitching a game. He was great tonight, and fortunately, we just came out on top.”
Carmen Mlodzinski threw two hitless innings. In the eighth, Cowser hit a long single to right against Isaac Mattson, and after Dylan Carlson’s single, Beavers and Coby Mayo each popped out weakly before Jackson Holliday singled to left to tie it, 1-1.
What’s so special about Beavers? In 20 major league games, Beavers has reached base 34 times, tied with Ryan Mountcastle for most by an Oriole. He has a .305 average and a .453 on-base percentage.
“He looks like an old guy hitting in a lot of ways,” Mansolino said. “We’ve seen a lot of young guys come here and be overly aggressive. He’s probably the first one I’ve seen that takes an at-bat like a guy that’s been in the big leagues for seven or eight years.”
Why are the Orioles suddenly winning these games? According to Mansolino, the answer is simple.
“The pitching. It’s always the pitching,” he said. “Obviously, the hitter’s got to score the points at the end to walk them off, but if you’re giving up five by the third inning every night, it’s hard to get back in these games. That’s kind of the fate we suffered the first part of the year.
“You’ve got some other pitchers right now in the bullpen. We got Dietrich Enns who did it last night. Albert throws up a zero tonight. Obviously what Wellsy and [Kyle] Bradish did, just guys we didn’t have early in the year or have kept us in these games and given our hitters a chance to draw a big walk or put down a big bunt, get a big hit, but it’s always the pitching.”
What does it mean? Beavers’ plate discipline is impressive, especially for an inexperienced hitter.
What’s the stat of the day? Orioles pitching allowed just two hits, one by Wells and a single against Sean Dubin in the eighth. Pittsburgh didn’t have a hit over the last three innings.
What’s the word? “I know it’s been awesome. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had playing ball. So keep it going, winning is fun.”–Beavers on the string of walk-offs.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Tyler O’Neill and Gary Sánchez both homered in their rehab appearances for Triple-A Norfolk in a 17-9 loss to Durham.
Trace Bright allowed two runs on three hits in four innings while walking four as Double-A Chesapeake lost to New Hampshire, 3-2, in 10 innings.
Creed Willems was removed from the Baysox’s game with back tightness.
What’s next? Cade Povich (3-7, 5.16) will face Johan Oviedo (2-6, 2.70) on Thursday at 1:05 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’l be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com