Orioles pitching struck out 16 Milwaukee Brewers, a season high. But they still lost to the Brewers, 4-3, in 10 innings.
Orioles hitters, meanwhile, struck out 16 times, one short of their season-high. Their only walk was an intentional one to Adley Rutschman in the 10th.
The Brewers were just 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position, but they won the game when Joey Wiemer drove in the automatic runner, Andruw Monasterio, from second base with two outs in the 10th.
Aaron Hicks hit his first home run with the Orioles, a two-run home run in the second, and Ryan O’Hearn hit his third homer in the seventh to give the Orioles (37-23) a 3-2 lead.
Yennier Cano blew his second save of the year, allowing a run in the bottom of the eighth. Félix Bautista struck out all three Brewers in the ninth, and Austin Voth (1-2) allowed the game-winning run for Milwaukee (33-28).
The Orioles trail first-place Tampa Bay by 5 ½ games. The Rays have won four straight. New York is 7 ½ games out, Toronto trails by 9 ½ and Boston is 12 games out of first place.
Who’s the fifth starter? Manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Milwaukee that Dean Kremer and Kyle Bradish would start on Wednesday night and Thursday against the Brewers.
The Orioles have six offdays in June, and Hyde could have gone with a fifth starter on Wednesday but opted not to. Kremer and Bradish will pitch on four days rest.
Presumably, Tyler Wells will start on Friday, and the Orioles will need a fifth starter on Saturday against Kansas City.
The last time Hyde used a fifth starter was on May 31st when Keegan Akin was used as the opener and Voth was supposed to be the bulk reliever but worked only 2 1/3 innings.
The Orioles could use Bruce Zimmermann, who’s in the bullpen, as the fifth starter.
Cole Irvin is scheduled to pitch on Thursday for Triple-A Norfolk, but he could be recalled for the start. Grayson Rodriguez isn’t eligible to return until Sunday.
Hyde will have more chances to adjust the rotation in the next few weeks. The Orioles are off on June 12th, 19th, 22nd and 29th.
Urias slumping: Ever since Ramón Urías returned from the 10-day injured list with a hamstring injury, he’s 2-for-25. UrIas’ average has fallen from .278 to .238. On Tuesday night, he struck out in each of his four at-bats.
Urías is facing his brother Luis, an infielder with Milwaukee, for the first time in his major league career. When the Brewers came to Baltimore to open the 2022 season, Luis was on the injured list.
Lester stays: While Urías played third base, Gunnar Henderson had another day off to rest the sore lower back that forced him from Saturday’s game.
The Orioles opted to option Terrin Vavra to Norfolk while keeping Josh Lester. Vavra played seven innings at third base this season, and Lester played 26 games at third for Norfolk.
After he pinch-hit for Ryan McKenna in the 10th inning, Lester was inserted in right field.
While Vavra can play the infield and corner outfield positions, Lester, who plays first, third, left and right, has more power.
Minor league update: Norfolk’s game at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was postponed because of poor air quality. The teams hope to make up the postponement later in the week.
Shortstop César Prieto drove in four runs and catcher Maverick Handley hit a home run in his first game for Double-A Bowie in its 9-4 win over Erie.
Chayce McDermott (4-4) allowed a run on three hits in five innings, striking out seven and walking one.
Handley, infielder Joseph Rosa and outfielder Shayne Fontana were added to the Baysox roster from Norfolk. Pitcher Ofreidy Gomez was promoted from High-A Aberdeen. Pitcher Nolan Hoffman was demoted to the IronBirds.
Centerfielder Jud Fabian hit a three-run home run, catcher Silas Ardoin and first baseman Jacob Teter drove in two runs as Aberdeen beat Asheville, 11-0.
Cooper Chandler and Kyle Virbitsky combined on a three-hit shutout. Chandler (3-3) allowed two hits in five innings and Virbitsky registered his first save, allowing one hit in four innings.
Juan Nunez pitched five scoreless innings, allowing three hits, in Single-A Delmarva’s 3-2 loss to Down East.
Rightfielder Isaac Bellony drove in both Shorebirds runs with a first-inning triple.