The Orioles had won three in a row against the White Sox and then had a day off. They then won three more against Seattle to run their winning streak to six.
As they prepared to extend the winning streak to seven a week ago Friday against the A’s, interim manager Tony Mansolino said he was going to rest 23-year-old All-Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who went back-to-back with catcher Adley Rutschman the day before to power the Orioles to a 4-3 win.
“Just trying not to run guys into the ground,” Mansolino said. “We’ve got to give these young kids a day every once in a while … When healthy players get a planned offday every once in a while, it might spark something for them. With Gunn, he’s been doing just fine, but it probably is a good day to do it.”
It wasn’t a good day to do it. The Orioles were finally gaining some momentum, and their two leading men were providing it.
It’s true the starting pitching has been better and the bullpen has gotten stronger. Ryan O’Hearn has had an All-Star-worthy first half, and Jackson Holliday has been the team’s most improved player. But Henderson and Rutschman remain the straws that stir the drink. And Henderson remains the team’s best player.
Rutschman had seven hits, and two home runs, against Seattle after much discussion about dropping him down in the batting order. Henderson has settled down on defense after missing most of spring training because of a right intercostal strain and is starting to hit the way everyone expected him to after he rushed back to join the team.
There have been a number of nights when the Orioles’ lineup had too many weak spots, and Rutschman was considered one of them. He acknowledged after Thursday’s game against Seattle that he’s a “tinkerer” when it comes to hitting, and that he’s been working hard to find his stroke. If he has, that’s a huge plus for the Orioles.
Holliday, Rutschman and Henderson at the top of the order is promising and full of potential. O’Hearn has been strong in the fourth spot. With Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg and Cedric Mullins back, the lineup becomes more formidable. Outfielders Ramón Laureano and Dylan Carlson have been solid additions, and Ramón Urías continues to excel as a utility infielder.
Coby Mayo showed his raw power with a line-drive double to center field against the A’s, but he has to start making more contact to be a factor. He’ll get that chance with first baseman Ryan Mountcastle out for eight-to-12 weeks because of a hamstring injury.
This past Wednesday night against the Tigers, the Orioles finally flexed their muscles — even if it was for only one inning, when they scored seven runs in a 10-1 victory. What ever momentum they might have had was extinguished by reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal on Thursday, but Mansolino feels good about the lineup.
“It’s a nice lineup when you look at it,” Mansolino said. “When you write that thing out right there, one through nine, and you look at the six, seven, eight, nine specifically — man, you feel pretty good.” On Wednesday night, the lineup was Holliday, Rutschman, Henderson, O’Hearn, Westburg, Cowser, Laureano, Mullins and Urías.
Still, the key to any kind of sustained success is the play of Henderson and Rutschman. An example occurred against Seattle when, with the infield drawn in and a runner at third, Henderson caught a ground ball by Julio Rodriguez and fired home but slightly off target. Rutschman caught the ball and made a quick sweep tag to prevent J.P. Crawford from scoring in a 3-2 win. The next day Rutschman and Henderson hit back-to-back homers in the Orioles’ 4-3 win.
Then Mansolino decided to give Henderson a rest, something he never would have suggested to Cal Ripken Jr. The lineup and the dynamic were affected, and Jorge Mateo and Holliday nearly collided on an infield popup that Holliday seemed to call, with the ball dropping in before Mateo alertly threw to Jackson at second for a force play.
The Orioles have forced Mateo into the lineup this season because of his speed and athleticism, but he hasn’t been a good fit in either the outfield or the infield. He’s now on the injured list after injuring his left elbow in an outfield collision with Heston Kjerstad, who is back in the minors after struggling to hit and play the field.
The Orioles are still missing two free agents they signed — outfielder Tyler O’Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez. Neither has made an impact this season, but there’s still time. And there is a trade deadline on July 31st that might reshuffle the deck for Mansolino.
For now, though, he appears to have a good hand and a chance to help the Orioles close the gap on getting back to .500. He also might get some starting pitching help — if Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells continue to heal from season-ending elbow surgeries last year. Grayson Rodriguez, who talked with the local media for the first time since spring training on Friday, said he was optimistic that he also would pitch in the second half.
The Orioles still have 94 games remaining and, other than losing two of three to the A’s, they appear to have found their footing under Mansolino, whose openness has been impressive. I would just like to see him be less open to the idea of resting Henderson.