Another painful loss is in the books as we enter the weekend.
Happy Friday, Camden Chatters. I hope you are faring better than our poor Orioles, who continue to look lost on the baseball field.
It was another loss for our team last night in a game where they never looked even close to grabbing the win. Team ace Corbin Burnes struggled again with six runs allowed in 5.2 innings. The offense was miserable, managing just three hits and none after the fourth inning.
If you’re grasping for straws on what was good about the game, the bullpen at least didn’t let things get any worse. Recent call-ups Matt Bowman and Nick Vespi combined for 2.1 hitless innings and disappointing trade acquisition Gregory Soto struck out two, walked one, and did not allow a hit. Of course, by the time those guys came into the game most of us had changed the channel.
The loss, combined with a Yankees win over the Guardians, drops the Orioles to 1.5 games back in the AL East. This is the first time they have been more than one game back in the division since June 25th. They have a two-game lead over both the Royals and Twins in the Wild Card race, and are 5.5 games ahead of the first non-WC team, the Red Sox.
Honestly, the only thing it feels like the Orioles have going for them at the moment is their status in the standings. Because of that, they are still in a position to control their destiny. They just have to get themselves together for crying out loud. Please, Orioles. Do better.
Links
Orioles’ Zach Eflin ‘should be ready to go’ after IL stint – Baltimore Sun
Please, Zach. We need you.
As bad as things seem for the Orioles, all their goals remain within reach – The Baltimore Banner
Danielle Allentuck looks at what could could go right.
What are the biggest flaws for the best MLB teams? – The Washington Post
The big story in MLB this year is that there is no powerhouse team. There are a number of good teams who cannot seem to pull away from the pack. Chelsea Janes focuses on the pitching staff as what needs to be fixed with the Orioles.I also direct her to the three hits last night.
Hyde explains decision to option Rogers (plus other notes) – MASN Sports
Brandon Hyde diplomatically stated that it was the need for fresh relievers that led to the demotion of Trevor Rogers. His inability to pitch well surely contributed.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have nine Orioles birthday buddies, which is the most I have ever seen on one day.
Leading the way is Mike Boddicker, who is celebrating his 67th birthday today. Boddicker appeared in the majors in 14 seasons, including nine with the Orioles from 1980-88. In 190 career games with the Orioles he pitched to a 3.73 ERA. In 1984, Boddicker led the league with a 2.79 ERA and won 20 games. He is the last Oriole to win 20.
Also born on this day is Hall of Famer George Kell (b.1922, d. 2009). Kell had a 15-year career including with the Orioles in the last two seasons of his career, 1956-57.
Other former Orioles with birthdays today are Denny Bautista (44), Alejandro Freire (50), Casey Blake (51), Raúl Casanova (52), Jeff Manto (60), Ed Barnowski (b. 1943, d. 2017), and John Morris (83).
On this day in 1958, the Orioles claimed Hoyt Wilhelm off of waivers from Cleveland. The knuckleballer appeared in nine games for Baltimore in ‘58 and on September 20th of that year pitched the first no-hitter in Orioles’ history. He went on to pitch for the Orioles through 1962. He represented the team in three All-Star games. He pitched until he was 49 years old in 1972 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985.
In 2002, the Orioles fell behind to the Blue Jays 6-0 after two innings, then came back to win 11-7. Jay Gibbons, Gerónimo Gil, Melvin Mora, and Tony Batista hit home runs. The win gave them a 63-63 record, .500 for the first time since May 8th. If you don’t know how the 2002 season went over the final 36 games after that, I won’t spoil it for you.
And one year ago today, the Orioles defeated the Blue Jays 7-0 with a five-run eighth inning. Dean Kremer pitched six shutout innings with five strikeouts. Jacob Webb, Yennier Cano, and Shintaro Fujinami each pitched one perfect inning to close things out. Anthony Santander hit two home runs.