If there is such a thing as a frustrating win, the Orioles delivered it in their 7-6, 10-inning victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday that prevented a sweep and ended a three-game losing streak.
The Orioles were up 6-0 in the fourth, 6-1 in the eighth and 6-3 in the ninth before the Marlins forced overtime by scoring three runs against closer Craig Kimbrel, who lacked control and was further hurt by an error by shortstop Gunnar Henderson. Ryan Mountcastle’s one-out, game-winning hit to right field in the 10th was a reflection of the kind of day it was for the Orioles. It scored Jordan Westburg, but pinch-runner Cedric Mullins was thrown out at the plate and then Mountcastle was thrown out at second when he tried to advance on the throw home.
They weren’t on the only baserunners thrown out for the Orioles. Henderson was picked off second and Austin Hays was doubled up at second when he was off the base on a soft liner to the shortstop.
Oriole starter Corbin Burnes was outstanding, but the bullpen failed him. He left with a 6-2 lead with one out in the seventh, after a hit when off his leg into right field. Jacob Webb allowed the inherited runner to score before Kimbrel was saddled with his sixth blown save of the year.
When Cionel Pérez retired the Marlins in the 10th, the Orioles looked relieved, not excited.
“I think our guys are very, very aware that we should have won that game handily,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Miami after the game. “I think some guys are individually frustrated with their performance right now. We just have to get back to the team concept and they know that. We’re a really good team. It’s great we came out here with a win, .500 on the road trip. But you know there are some things we are not doing that we need to get back to put ourselves in better position.”
Anthony Santander hit a home run into the upper deck in the first inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. He also singled in the 10th and has been the Orioles’ best player as of late.
Colton Cowser delivered a three-run homer after belting a three-run double on Wednesday night. He is showing signs of his April tear when fans started to “moo” The Milkman.
Connor Norby, who was called up to replace the injured Jorge Mateo, homered to right field and had an infield single.
And Burnes was lights out until the eighth. It should have been an easy win, but it wasn’t.
“Pretty frustrated honestly,” Hyde said in his opening statement to reporters. “We swung the bat really well to start the game and scored six runs right away. And then we got Corbin Burnes on the mound and he’s throwing the ball great, but we don’t add on. We’ve done this too many times and we have to learn to step on people and make it easier on ourselves.”
Hyde was poised, as he he always is, but he wasn’t happy.
“There were some positives,” he said. “Our at-bats were better today. Our guys really rallied after that tough ninth inning. Mounty got a huge hit for us and he’s been scuffling as of late. He had nice game and then Cionel Pérez, who has had some tough moments here recently, just pitching outstanding in the bottom of the 10th. But we’ve got to play better baseball going forward and our guys know that.”