For the second time in three days, the Baltimore Orioles lost a game in walk-off fashion. Friday night it was a 9-8 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, a loss precipitated by an overworked group of bullpen arms. The bullpen is so overworked that Mike Baumann was sent down to Norfolk (AAA) and Tyler Wells was brought up.
Friday’s game was an ugly, back-and-forth affair where each team took the lead four times; each team lost the lead four times as well with the Orioles being the last to lose the lead.
Baltimore started the ninth inning trailing 7-6 and quickly recorded two outs. An Anthony Santander (3 dor 4, 1 2B, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 HBP) hit by pitch, a Ryan O’Hearn (1 for 3, 1 R, 2 RBI) single, a Cleveland wild pitch and an Aaron Hicks (1 for 4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB) double then combined to give the O’s an 8-7 lead.
AARON HICKS!!! pic.twitter.com/39jRd7LvtJ
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 23, 2023
Appearing for the fourth time in six days, Yennier Cano (1-4) started the bottom of the ninth and faced four batters. Two doubles, a groundout and an intentional walk later, Cano and the Orioles had a loss. Cano finished with a line of 0.1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB.
Dean Kremer started but didn’t last long, allowing 6 runs, 3 earned, on 7 hits with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts over 3.1 innings. Five relievers were used to go from Kremer to Cano; this is not a sustainable model for Postseason success.
Gunnar Henderson went 2 for 4 with a double, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI and a walk.
Adley Rutschman went 1 for 5 with 1 run scored.
Ramon Urias went 2 for 4 with a triple and 1 run scored.
U smile, I smile. pic.twitter.com/t6WIbgAIfR
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 23, 2023
Anthony Santander is speed. pic.twitter.com/KZHeVxpUsb
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 22, 2023
2023 Record: 95-59 Magic Number: 6
Next Game: Sat. 9/23 @ 6:10 pm vs. Guardians in Cleveland