What happened? Before Tuesday’s game, Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias decided it was time to explain his decision to fire Brandon Hyde and appoint Tony Mansolino as interim manager.
Mansolino is still searching for his first win as the Orioles’ losing streak reached eight games after a 5-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park. He’s 0-4 since taking over.
While the first two games Mansolino managed over the weekend weren’t competitive, the two games against the Brewers have been.
The Orioles (15-32) were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
They scored their two runs in the seventh on an RBI single by Ramón Urías and a run-scoring triple by Jackson Holliday. Holliday stayed at third when Adley Rutschman flied out to end the inning.
“I think we’ve done a little bit better lately,” Mansolino told reporters in Milwaukee. “In those scenarios, I feel like it’s starting to trend in a better direction.”
Keegan Akin pitched a scoreless first as the opener. Chayce McDermott (0-1), walked five in 4 2/3 innings. Brice Turang homered in the second, and Sal Frelick hit a two-run home run in the fourth.
“Just bad pitches,” McDermott told reporters in Milwaukee.
“I thought Chayce did a pretty good job,” Mansolino said. “Kept us in the game, got into the sixth. We’re down, 3-0, came back, had a shot,” he said.
Mansolino called for Félix Bautista in the eighth, and he gave up a home run to Rhys Hoskins. Another run scored on a throwing error by Holliday at second.
“The boys battled, kind of fell apart for us in the eighth inning, trying to keep it close in that scenario, didn’t work out,” Mansolino said. “Try again tomorrow.”
Logan Anderson (3-0) allowed two hits in five scoreless innings. He struck out seven and walked two. Abner Uribe recorded his first save with three of Milwaukee’s 13 strikeouts.
Outfielder Ramón Laureano left the game in the fifth inning with left ankle discomfort. Laureano’s ankle appeared to get temporarily caught in the turf as he attempted to make a catch.
Mansolino said he thought Laureano would miss a few days.
Right-hander Kade Strowd was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk when McDermott was recalled. Kyle Gibson was released.
How did McDermott pitch? In his second start, McDermott allowed three runs on four hits and the two home runs. What stood out was the five walks.
“Some mechanics were off, rushing a little bit,” McDermott said. “You go back to work tomorrow and improve from there.”
McDermott didn’t have a spring training because of a lat strain, and counting three minor league starts, this was only his fifth start of the season.
“You lose a little bit of the mechanics, the command, I’m not really worried. I’ll find it. I’m just a little upset with how it went today,” he said. “I feel like the lat strain was a weird issue. It never even hurt.”
When will Rodriguez and Westburg return? Starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, who’s on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, should begin throwing soon, Elias told reporters in Milwaukee.
“He’s really close to throwing,” Elias said. “His return is still not something I want to script out with a date. Given that he had an elbow injury and a lat injury in the same calendar year, we don’t want to rush.”
Infielder Jordan Westburg’s strained left hamstring is improving.
“I don’t want to announce a return date,” Elias said. “I don’t think it’s going to be before the end of this month. I do hope that it’s going to be early next month.”
What does it mean? The Orioles look hopeless, and they need some wins to make sure the season doesn’t become a total loss.
What’s the word? “Stretching back to early last summer, this is a team that we feel has been collectively and individually, to varying degrees, underperforming its talent level.”-Elias on making a managerial change.
What’s the stat of the day? McDermott has walked eight in 7 2/3 innings.
“It’s pretty evident to see you can’t throw under 50 percent strikes at any level of baseball, let alone the big leagues,’ McDermott said.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Centerfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. was 1-for-4 as he returned from the injured list in Double-A Chesapeake’s 3-2 win over Harrisburg. Bradfield had a hamstring injury.
Rightfielder Austin Overn hit a two-run home run in High-A Aberdeen’s 3-2 loss to Wilmington.
Norfolk’s game at St. Paul was postponed by rain.
MASN will broadcast select Orioles minor league games beginning on May 29th at noon. Norfolk will play Lehigh Valley.
Centerfielder Braylin Tavera drove in four runs while designated hitter Yasmil Bucce and second baseman Edwin Amparo hit two-run home runs in Single-A Delmarva’s 11-9 win over Fredericksburg in 11 innings.
What’s next? Tomoyuki Sugano (4-3, 3.08) will face Chad Patrick (2-3, 3.19) on Wednesday at 1:10 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich,@BaltimoreBaseball.com