ANAHEIM, California–What happened? In his third start, Kyle Gibson allowed two runs in the first inning, two more in the fourth and another in the fifth. The result was another insurmountable deficit for an Orioles offense that produced little against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Orioles’ 5-2 loss before 27,975 at Angel Stadium on Saturday night was a ho-hum affair, with the Orioles again showing little punch and an inability to hit in the late innings when they’re behind. They’re 0-21 when trailing after six innings.
Zach Neto, Nolan Schaunel and Yoan Moncada began the first inning with singles, and after Taylor Ward’s sacrifice fly, the Orioles were down, 2-0.
Gibson retired nine straight until Jo Adell homered. Matthew Lugo’s RBI triple put the Orioles behind, 4-0.
Shaunel singled, Moncada and Ward walked to begin the fifth, and Colin Selby pitched well in relief of Gibson. Moncada scored on an infield out, and Gibson (0-2) gave up five runs on seven hits in four-plus.
After Friday night’s 4-1 victory, starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano lauded Gibson’s leadership and said he’d talked to the team after they were swept in three games by Minnesota. Manager Brandon Hyde reemphasized Gibson’s leadership ability before the 37-year-old right-hander’s start.
The Orioles (14-24) had just two hits in the first five innings against Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz (2-5). They finally scored on a two-out single by Gunnar Henderson and a run-scoring double by Ryan Mountcastle.
“I thought we really expanded the zone against a starter who wasn’t showing he had command and let him off the hook multiple times,” a disappointed Hyde said.
Centerfielder Cedric Mullins was called out on strikes to end the sixth with runners on first and second. He’s hitless in 19 at-bats.
“There’s some things that I’m kind of paying attention to mechanically that are a little off, just trying to tweak those within the game, which can be difficult,” Mullins said. “Yeah, overall, body is feeling okay, not terrible. I’ve been grinding a little bit out there. But just trying to keep it going, keep the energy and focus consistent.”
Ramón Laureano led off the ninth with his first career pinch-hit home run against Brock Burke. It was the Orioles’ first pinch-hit home run since Ryan O’Hearn hit one on June 6th, 2024.
Charlie Morton threw two spotless innings in relief.
A roster move will be made on Sunday to make room for Zach Eflin, who’ll return after missing five weeks with a right lat strain.
Right-hander Matt Bowman cleared outright waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.
What’s wrong with the offense? The Orioles have lost four of five on the road trip and scored just 11 runs. Kochanowicz entered the game with a 5.79 ERA.
“Tonight wasn’t about comeback wins,” Hyde said. “Tonight was about taking better at-bats off their starter. We created some traffic. Jackson [Holliday] leads off the game with a single. We roll into a double play [by No. 2 hitter Adley Rutschman]. We get first and second a couple times, we get poor at-bats from there.
“So it’s just we’re having a tough time. [Friday] night was better at-bats. Today we took a step back in being able to roll three good at-bats together in a row. I thought off the bench, obviously, Laureano with a homer. I thought Tyler O’Neill off the bench, good at-bat off a lefty that throws hard. Just gotta keep pushing. Hopefully, we can start putting some at-bats together.”
Mullins has seen a number of comeback wins in the previous three seasons, but none this year.
“I think in competition it’s hard to come from behind,” Mullins said. “We have some moments where we can try to take advantage. It’s hard. It’s one of those things where, one day, it could all of a sudden click and you’re looking back and you’re like, ‘oh, we had those struggles and now we just figured it out.’ Or, it’s just a consistent grind and you’re trying to figure it out throughout the season.”
How did Gibson throw? In three starts, Gibson has a 13.11 ERA
“I think for me personally, I just have to have to pitch better,” he said. “I have to put the team in a better spot to where they’re not feeling like they’re digging out of the hole. So, I think you still have to take it game by game. We’ve got a chance to win a series tomorrow and got to keep that in perspective. If we win a series here, for the next few weeks we’re going to be in a good spot. So, got to keep thinking about that win and keep that in perspective.
“But for me personally, I’ve got to do a better job every five days of giving the team a chance to win and today that looked like settling down and getting through five or six innings with two or three runs, and had the chance to do that and just wasn’t able to do that in the fifth inning.”
Hyde seemed more disappointed in the offense than in Gibson’s start.
“He gave up two runs in the first,” Hyde said. “And he settled down for the next couple innings, then looked like he lost command there.”
What does it mean? The Orioles continue to need more consistent starts and more consistent at-bats. This was another disappointing loss.
What’s the word? “I don’t think it’s much at this point. I think guys are starting to pass the baton a little bit more, we’re drawing our walks a little bit more. Just battling for that last strike to really keep the ball rolling.”-Mullins on whether the Orioles are playing ‘hero ball,’ trying to do too much.
What’s the stat of the day? Mullins is just 1-for-30 (.033) in May and is hitting .220.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Trevor Rodgers allowed a run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings as Triple-A Norfolk beat Nashville, 4-1. First baseman Samuel Basallo had three hits.
Levi Wells allowed two runs on three hits in six innings as Double-A Chesapeake lost to Portland, 4-3. Shortstop Jeremiah Jackson hit a two-run home run.
Shortstop Griff O’Ferrall was 4-for-4 with three RBIs in High-A Aberdeen’s 9-8 loss to Jersey Shore.
Chase Allsup allowed a run on two hits in four innings in Single-A Delmarva’s 3-2 loss to Myrtle Beach. The Shorebirds had two hits, none until the eighth inning.
What’s next? Eflin (2-1, 3.00) will face Tyler Anderson (2-0, 2.68) on Sunday at 4:07 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich,@BaltimoreBaseball.com