The Orioles blew a three-run lead in another frustrating loss at Camden Yards.
The Orioles had a golden opportunity to take another baby step forward tonight with a series win over St. Louis, but Baltimore let the chance slip away. Cade Povich struggled after the lineup turned over, and the O’s blew a three-run lead in a 6-4 loss at Camden Yards.
Things started out so promising for the Orioles. After a scoreless first, the Birds jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Ryan O’Hearn got things started with a leadoff single, and Ramón Urías followed with a seeing-eye single of his own.
Cedric Mullins bunted in an effort to advance both runners, but the outfielder’s speed applied some additional pressure on the Cardinals’ defense. St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas bounced the ball to first base, and O’Hearn raced home when the throw got away.
Mullins stole second to place two runners in scoring position, and Maverick Handley managed to put a ball in play. The slow roller was enough to plate Urías, but Mullins remained at second as the Birds gained a two-run advantage.
Dylan Carlson grounded to second for the second out, but Jackson Holliday slapped a double to deep right to plate Mullins. The double marked Holliday’s second double in as many innings, and the Orioles led by three.
Meanwhile, Cade Povich was absolutely dealing early in the contest. Povich, tasked with delivering a shutdown inning, accomplished the feat with authority. He struck out the side in order to keep the Birds up three after three. The lefty recorded five strikeouts in the first three frames.
Things began to fall apart in the fourth. Povich surrendered a pair of base hits to place runners on the corners with nobody out. He need only three pitches for his sixth strikeout against Willson Contreras, but Povich walked Iván Herrera to load the bases.
Povich retired Nolan Arenado with a harmless fly ball, but he failed to escape the inning unscathed. Jordan Walker punched a two-out single between Gunnar Henderson and Urías to trim the lead to one. Povich walked another batter to load the bases for a second time, but he struck out Victor Scott to temporarily preserve the lead.
Baltimore’s offense responded in the bottom half. Mullins ripped a leadoff single, and Maverick Handley followed with his second MLB hit. Dylan Carlson delivered another big knock against his former team, and the Orioles led 4-2 with two on and nobody out.
At this point, the Orioles held an 84.8% win probability. Unfortunately, the top of the order failed to extend the lead. Holliday struck out, Rutschman fouled out, and Gunnar Henderson popped out to keep the lead at two.
The Birds didn’t lose the game in the fourth inning, but they missed a golden opportunity to break things open. Holliday can’t be criticized after finishing 3-for-5, but Rutschman and Henderson combined to go 0-for-10. Rutschman struck out three times in his first game back after a blow to the mask, and Henderson did not inspire any fear into St. Louis pitchers.
Baltimore lost the lead in the next half inning. Povich allowed a leadoff double to Lars Nootbaar, another double to Masyn Winn, and a home run to Brendan Donovan. Just like that, the Cardinals led 5-4. Povich’s struck out nine batters, but he allowed five runs in less than five innings.
Matt Bowman did his best to keep the game within reach. He struck out Walker to end the fifth and retired the side in order during the sixth. Tony Mansolino sent Bowman out for a third inning of work, and Winn started the frame with a two-bagger.
Bowman recorded a pair of outs before Mansolino summoned Andrew Kittredge from the bullpen. Kittredge allowed the inherited runner to score on a double by Herrera, and the Red Birds led 6-4.
Baltimore got the tying runs on base in the ninth with singles by Holliday and Ryan Mountcastle, but Ryan O’Hearn tapped out to end the inning.
The Orioles could have won all three of these games against St. Louis, but they only won one. I’m not sure if that’s better or worse. In some ways, it feels like progress. Alternatively, it serves as a painful reminder that this is still a bad baseball team facing a nearly insurmountable task of returning to .500 this season.