BALTIMORE–What happened? For seven innings, the Orioles continued to falter with runners in scoring position and clung to a 3-1 lead. In the eighth, they exploded — finally. They scored seven runs and pulled away from the Detroit Tigers, the team with the best record in baseball.
Oriole starter Zach Eflin allowed one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings and kept his team in the game before the Orioles completed their 10-1 win over the Tigers before 18,630 at Camden Yards on Wednesday night.
The 10 runs scored were the most by the Orioles since Opening Day when they beat Toronto, 12-2. Their 16 hits were a season high. Each Oriole had at least one hit.
“For the last month, it’s been like, ‘Man, we’d love to throw up 10 tonight. It will make it a little bit easier,’” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “We’ll take 10 how ever you get them.”
Ramón Urías’ two-run home run in the third inning, his third, against Casey Mize (6-2) gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead. The Orioles also scored on Gunnar Henderson’s RBI single, which drove home Adley Rutschman, in the seventh.
In the eighth, Cedric Mullins’ run-scoring double, a wild pitch by Beau Brieske, allowing Mullins to score, Ryan O’Hearn’s two-run single and Jordan Westburg’s three-run home run highlighted a breakout that was long overdue.
Eflin allowed just two singles in six innings and was removed after allowing three hits in the seventh. Eflin (6-2) struck out five and walked one in winning his third straight.
In the top of the seventh, Colt Keith’s double scored Spencer Torkelson. A key play that got lost in the final tally was made by Urías at third. With the infield pulled in to protect a 2-1 lead, Dillon Dingler grounded sharply to Urías, who threw home to nab Wenceel Pérez.
Keegan Akin came in and struck out Jahmai Jones to end the threat. Bryan Baker retired the Tigers (44-25) quickly in the eighth, and the Orioles maintained a two-run lead until that seven-run eighth that made a tight game look like a blowout. The Orioles were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position before the seventh and eighth gave them a 4-for-16 finish.
“To watch those guys there in the [seventh] and eighth work the at-bats, really good quality at-bats, and then get on, get them in, it almost became infectious,” Eflin said. “It was really fun to watch.”
How is Eflin pitching? He’s won three straight and struck out five while walking one.
“It seems like every outing he’s getting better and better and better,” Mansolino said.
Eflin was outstanding in the first six innings, and the Orioles needed his dominance.
“I think, more than anything, just command,” he said. “I pretty much trusted every pitch I was throwing. Adley called a great game and really just following the game plan that we put together going into this game. Hat’s off to Adley, because he called a great game and execution was there tonight.”
How strong was the offense? Rutschman, Henderson, Westburg, Mullins, Urias and Ramón Laureano each had two hits.
The return of Laureano, Mullins, Westburg and Colton Cowser in the past eight days has made a big difference.
“You see tonight, we were able to put 10 runs against a really good team,” Urías said. “We are playing better at the right time and we’re getting our boys back and we feel better.”
Westburg has homered in his first two games since April 26th.
“I mean, you’ve seen it the last two years, what the offense is capable of doing and what we have now is plenty good enough to go out and win series and win ballgames and with guys coming back even off the IL, it’s going to just keep getting better,” Westburg said. “So, it’s exciting to kind of dream on what could happen and what we could do and just the possibilities that this club has.”
How does Mansolino watch the games? “I think just trying to stay positive, optimistic. I feel like I’m part cheerleader right now,” Mansolino said. “Talking with [assistant general manager Sig Mejdal], who was on the trip with us, after the game in [Sacramento], I walk in and said, ‘I’m exhausted.’
“After the second game we won. He goes, ‘Why are you exhausted?’ And that’s a great question. Because I’m cheerleading all game. That’s kind of what you’re doing right there. You’re thinking.
“That’s not making you tired. It’s just trying to be front and center and cheer and stay positive. I think we’re doing that even in the worst of times, and I don’t know if it changes anything, but it’s probably better than the alternative.”
What does it mean? The Orioles needed Wednesday night’s win because they have a difficult challenge on Thursday when they face the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, Tarik Skubal.
What’s the stat of the day? The Orioles scored 10 runs despite going just 4-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
What’s the word? “You don’t want to develop DH’s. If you develop a DH in the minor leagues, we are failing in every which way. You need guys that can play a position. If they get here and they can’t play a position because of the demands of playing defense in the big leagues, so be it.”-Mansolino on whether Heston Kjerstad should concentrate on offense in the minor leagues.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Shortstop Jeremiah Jackson homered in Triple-A Norfolk’s 5-2 win over Nashville.
Rightfielder Reed Trimble hit a two-run home run in Double-A Chesapeake’s 4-3 win over Harrisburg. Starter Trace Bright was removed from the game with right elbow discomfort.
Blake Money allowed one run on three hits in seven innings, striking out eight, in High-A Aberdeen’s 2-1 loss to Jersey Shore.
Chase Allsup (1-7) allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings in Single-A Delmarva’s 6-4 loss to Salem.
What’s next? Dean Kremer (5-6, 4.98) will face Tarik Skubal (6-2, 2.16) on Thursday night at 6:35.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com