A much needed walk-off win, the Kimbrel choice was tough but necessary, and both Westburg and Urías are rehabbing.
Good Morning, Birdland,
The Orioles actually won a game on Thursday. And they did it while scoring five whole runs. Sure, it would have been nice if Seranthony Domínguez had NOT blown the save in the ninth inning in the first place, but that is what allowed the offense one more bite at the apple. And Anthony Santander smashed that apple out of the park for a walk-off home run. Let’s take the positives and wash away the negatives.
Everyone loves a walk-off home run! It’s emphatic. It feels good. It’s the kind of thing that could maybe spark a run, and boy could the Orioles use that. They need to find some way to end the regular season on a high note if they want to have a shot at an extended playoff run. This weekend they have to deal with the red hot Tigers yet again. A series win would be sublime, but right now we are just hoping to avoid sweeps. It’s sad, but it’s also reality.
For those that feel like the layoff between regular season and postseason is too long for the top two seeds in each league, perhaps this is a blessing. The Orioles’ chances at winning the AL East are nearly gone. Instead, they will likely need to wrangle with the Wild Card round. And since they have a big enough buffer in the standings, the team can properly organize the pitching staff in order to prepare. Whatever these last nine games bring, it should end with a rested bullpen, Corbin Burnes ready to roll in Game 1, and maybe some reinforcements on offense.
Jordan Westburg began his rehab on Thursday. He got a hit, drove in a run, and scored a run while playing second base for the Tides. Who was at third base? Well, that would be Ramón Urías. He also got his rehab under way, and he also had a hit. It seems like they are both on track to get back on the field sometime soon. That would be quite the boost to an offense that could use a kick in the rear.
Links
Tony’s dramatic walk-off tater delivers sweet, sweet relief to Birdland | MLB.com
September has been tough for the Orioles. The win on Thursday felt good. Now go win a bunch more, boys!
Cutting Craig Kimbrel was the right choice for the Orioles. It still took guts. | The Baltimore Banner
If he were still around, Kimbrel was not going to be on the postseason roster. He wasn’t good enough. And importantly, the Orioles still need to actually MAKE the playoffs. Kimbrel wasn’t helping them do that either. They gave him the space to try and sort things out. It wasn’t happening. It was time.
Lots of Orioles leftovers for breakfast | Roch Kubatko
All kinds of factoids and quotes from Roch in this one.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Steve Lombardozzi Jr. turns 36 today. A product of Atholton High School in Columbia, Maryland, Lombardozzi played 20 games for the Orioles in 2014.
- Dave Gallagher is 64 today. The outfielder made his way into 23 games for the Birds during the 1990 season.
- The late Roric Harrison (b. 1946, d. 2023) was born on this day. His big league career started in 1972 with the Orioles. He pitched in 39 games—mostly in relief—that season.
This day in O’s history
1958 – In his eighth start for the Orioles, knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm tosses a no-hitter to beat the Yankees 1-0 at Memorial Stadium. Gus Triandos hits a solo homer for the O’s lone run.
1998 – Cal Ripken Jr.’s streak of consecutive games played ends at 2,632 as he removes himself from the lineup. The streak had lasted more than 16 years, beginning on May 30, 1982.
2002 – Mike Bordick plays his 102nd straight game at shortstop without committing an error, an MLB record.