Grayson Rodriguez (1-0) recorded his first MLB career win in his fifth start as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Detroit Tigers 6-4 in game 2 of Saturday’s split doubleheader. The win appeared to be in the bag when Rodriguez was removed after 5.0 innings of work and 91 pitches (59 strikes). He left the game having allowed 2 hits and a walk with 9 strikeouts, a career high, and what would become a 6-0 lead.
Little did Rodriguez think his first win would be a nail-biter, but it was. Keegan Akin came on in the sixth and allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, on 1 hit with a walk without recording an out. Michael Baumann finished the inning for Akin, allowing 1 run on 1 hit, a homerun, and walking 1.
Bryan Baker (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K), Danny Coulombe (0.1 IP) and Yennier Cano (1.0 IP) combined to stop the Detroit comeback and Felix Bautista (1.0 IP, 1 K) closed out Rodriguez’s first win to earn his seventh save.
Ryan McKenna (2 for 4, 2 runs scored, 3 RBI) hit his first homerun of the season in the 6th inning.
McKENNA SENDS THIS ONE TO LEFT FIELD!
pic.twitter.com/kQjo8Kiuoh
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 29, 2023
Joey Ortiz went 1 for 3 with a run scored and 1 RBI and has since been optioned to Norfolk.
Austin Hays went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and a walk.
Adley Rutschman went 2 for 4 with a walk.
Death, taxes, and Mateo making plays. pic.twitter.com/8zGEzAXSGb
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 29, 2023
2023 Record: 18-9
Next Game: Sun. 4/30 @ 1:40 pm vs. Tigers in Detroit