BALTIMORE–What happened? Other than Trevor Rogers, Tomoyuki Sugano has been the best Oriole starter of the second half. Until Monday night, Sugano hadn’t lost since July 2nd. Facing the Boston Red Sox for the second time in six days, Sugano allowed a three-run home run to Jarren Duran that sent the Orioles to a 4-3 loss before 15,740 at Camden Yards.
Sugano (10-6) gave up four runs on six hits in six innings.
“I think they had an approach for pitches down, especially for the left-handed hitters, particularly the splitter,” Sugano said through his translator. “I think they were kind of like focusing on that pitch.”
Sugano hadn’t allowed a home run in his previous four starts.
Roman Anthony began the game with a home run. Colton Cowser, who had all three RBIs for the Orioles, hit his 12th home run in the second inning.
Boston (72-60), locked in a tight wild-card race with New York, used Brennan Bernardino as an opener. After a scoreless first, Richard Fitts (2-4) allowed three runs in four innings. He left the game in the sixth with right biceps tightness.
Cowser’s bases-loaded two-run single in the third gave the Orioles (60-71) a 3-1 lead.
Duran homered in the fifth to put the Red Sox ahead for good, 4-3.
Steven Matz pitched two scoreless innings and Garrett Whitlock a scoreless eighth. In the seventh, Dylan Carlson led off with a double but was out at third on an attempted sacrifice by Luis Vázquez.
Gunnar Henderson began the eighth with a double. Whitlock struck out Ryan Mountcastle, Coby Mayo and Cowser.
The Orioles struck out 13 times in the first eight innings.
“Wasn’t disappointed in the at-bats by any means,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “I thought the at-bats were solid. Just wasn’t able to get those two runners at second over to third base, and can’t do that.”
Aroldis Chapman dispatched the Orioles in order in the ninth for his 25th save.
What’s going on with Cowser: Cowser was 3-for-4. In his last six games, Cowser is 9-for-24.
“I think it’s one of those things that ebbs and flows,” Cowser said. “I think I kind of went through a period where I felt like my timing was off. Felt like for me to hit the other stuff, I had to be super on time for the fastball, and I think getting in the cage and continuing to work, it’s one of those things where I realized I have more time than I know. So, just trying to be a little bit more relaxed and making sure when I’m loading, I’m downhill, and when I do that, I can adjust to a lot of things.”
Mansolino has seen improvement from Cowser, whose average has gone up from .208 on August 17th to .225.
“What happens to these guys when they struggle, like really struggle for the first time, they grow up, and when they grow up, there’s accountability and when you have accountability in this thing, you take off,” Mansolino said.
“Just talking to Colton every day, he’s working his butt off. He hasn’t stopped. He’s stayed optimistic. He’s fun. The whole thing. A couple of 0-0 breaking balls lately, he’s hit over the fence. I don’t think we’ve ever seen that out of him, so you can see an adjustment’s been made. He’s getting better. Proud of the kid. He’s hung in there through a lot of injuries and time off the field this year, and he’s struggled and he’s been disappointed in himself. It feels like he’s coming out on the other end at the moment.”
What does it mean? Other than Cowser’s three hits, the Orioles had four hits and they’ll need a more diversified offense to win.
What’s the stat of the day? Henderson has reached base in 17 straight games.
What’s the word? “He’s adjusting back to what they’re doing to him so he’s probably seeing the most spin in all baseball right now.”-Mansolino on Cowser.
What’s next? Kyle Bradish will make his first start since his June 2024 Tommy John surgery against Lucas Giolito (8-2, 3.72) on Tuesday night at 6:35.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’l be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com