BALTIMORE–What happened? Charlie Morton had a horrible start to the 2025 season. He lost his first six starts and after a stint in the bullpen, Morton has produced two outstanding starts.
On Sunday, he allowed an unearned run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings, his longest start since May 10th, 2024, walking one and striking out seven as the Orioles completed their first series sweep of the season, 3-2 over the Chicago White Sox before 33,037 at Camden Yards.
The Orioles (22-36) are 7-8 under interim manager Tony Mansolino and will begin a six-game road trip to Seattle and Sacramento on Tuesday night.
Over the weekend, Morton, Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer combined to allow just two runs, one earned, in 19 2/3 innings.
“They were awesome. I feel like it’s been trending this way for a while,” Mansolino said. “I feel like after those couple starts against, I think it was the Nationals, the first two days of the change, I mean, those were tough days. But I feel like after that we’ve been in every game one way or the other, within a few runs. I feel like the starting pitching has been really good here going over a couple weeks now.”
Morton (2-7) gave up his run in the sixth when Andrew Benintendi singled, moved to second on a balk, and scored when Jackson Holliday booted Joshua Palacios’ grounder. Holliday had time to get in front of the ball but instead tried to backhand it and lifted his glove, allowing the ball to go underneath.
Mike Tauchman, Gregory Soto’s first batter, homered in the seventh. Soto recorded two outs as did Andrew Kittredge. Bryan Baker retired the side in the ninth for his first save since October 5th, 2022.
The Orioles scored twice in the third against Adrian Houser (1-1) on Ramón Urías’ run-scoring single and a sacrifice fly by Ryan O’Hearn. Dylan Carlson drove in Cody Mayo with their third run with a double in the sixth.
What about the turnaround for Morton? The 41-year-old Morton got a warm ovation as he walked off in the seventh.
“The best part of that whole thing for him, he goes 6 2/3, he gets into the seventh, and with everything that he’s been through this year, there’s been negativity surrounding him, and I get it and I get we need guys to perform and all that, but this is also a guy that’s performed a long time in the big leagues, and to see the negativity but then the Baltimore fans stand up and give him a standing ovation coming off the mound, that was my favorite part,” Mansolino said.
Morton hopes things are on the upswing. He’s had better command and more control of his curveball.
“I mean, I’m just trying to go out there and do my job,” he said. “I knew, physically, I’m still OK. I think it’s just some tweaks and trying to get my stuff going in the zone a little bit better and, like I said, the shapes of the breaking ball. It’s nice to feel like I’m more myself than a month ago.”
What was the ninth like for Baker? With Bautista and others, Baker doesn’t get many ninth-inning opportunities. He got some in the minor leagues, but not many here.
“It feels a little bit bigger because you’ve got to shut the door yourself. I take pride in that,” Baker said. “So, I love it, to be honest. Just making sure you shut the door and secure the W for your team. It’s special for sure.”
What happened with Kjerstad and Holliday? Heston Kjerstad broke an 0-for-20 streak with a fourth inning triple, then was promptly picked off third. In the top of the fifth, he misplayed a fly ball by Mike Tauchman that fell for a triple.
Holliday, who doubled in the third, didn’t moved to third when Ramón Urias’ ball dropped for a single.
In the sixth, Holliday booted Joshua Palacios’ grounder at second base, allowing Andrew Benintendi to score, and after Luis Robert lined to leftfielder Dylan Carlson, Holliday dropped the relay throw, preventing the Orioles from getting an inning-ending double play.
“He’s a heck of a player, man,” Mansolino said about Holliday. “Everything that he does, even when he makes a couple of mistakes, you look up, and he had a decent day and helped us win a game. The kid, he’s 21 years old. I don’t think people realize that. It feels like he’s been in the league for three years already, but he’s a heck of a player. We’re very lucky to have him.”
What does it mean? Even after sweeping the White Sox, the Orioles are still on a pace to lose 101 games. They still have much work to do to salvage the season.
What’s the stat of the day? The Orioles’ sweep was their first at home since April 15th-17th, 2024 when they beat Minnesota.
What’s the word? “It’s tough, because trying to find some momentum, trying to find some semblance of our identity, trying to figure out the cadence of just where we are day to day, the vibes of the clubhouse, and sometimes, it just takes a little while to get there. It just takes a little bit of time to feel like the dust settles a little bit.”-Morton on the Orioles’ improvement.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Chayce McDermott allowed nine runs on six hits and six walks in two innings in Triple-A Norfolk’s 13-4 loss to Lehigh Valley. Catcher Samuel Basallo hit his 10th home run.
Braxton Bragg allowed two runs on three hits in 6 1/3 innings in Double-A Chesapeake’s 5-3 loss to Binghamton. Designated hitter Reed Trimble hit his first home run.
Trey Gibson struck out 13 batters in six innings in High-A Aberdeen’s 4-3 loss to Brooklyn. Gibson allowed two runs on two hits.
Adrian Heredia allowed nine runs on eight hits in two innings in Single-A Delmarva’s 13-5 loss to Hickory.
What’s next? After an offday on Monday, the Orioles begin a three-game series in Seattle. Tomoyuki Sugano (4-3, 3.23) will start for the Orioles. The Mariners haven’t named a starter. Game time is 9:40 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich,@BaltimoreBaseball.com