Monday marked the home opener for the Baltimore Orioles and if you didn’t know better, it was not the end of March in Baltimore. On an 82 degree, partly sunny day, and in front of 45,002 fans, the Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 8-5. The Birds quickly put four runs on the board in the first inning and then sealed the deal with a four run eighth inning.
Starter Cade Povich, staked to the early four run lead, quickly allowed the Red Sox back into the game with two second innings runs. He allowed another run in the third and ultimately succumbed to an elevated pitch count. He lasted 4.1 innings and threw 94 pitches (59 strikes) to allow 3 runs on 5 hits with 2 walks and 8 strikeouts. The fourth inning was his only clean inning as he induced three ground outs in that frame.
The Orioles opened the game and the scoring with four straight singles to score two runs before recording an out. Cedric Mullins (2 for 4, 2B, 4 RBI) hit a two-run double with two outs to cap off the inning.
The bats were limited to just 5 hits over the next six innings and three innings were ended by double plays.
The eighth inning began with three straight singles, plating one run. Heston Kjerstad (1 for 4, RBI), who knocked in that run, was replaced by Jorge Mateo (0 for 0, R, SB). Mateo then stole second base before Dylan Carlson (0 for 1, R, BB) walked to load the bases. Mullins singled in two more runs and Jackson Holliday (2 for 4, RBI) hit a single to finish off the day’s scoring.
Tyler O’Neill went 4 for 4 with a double, one run scored and a RBI.
Ryan Mountcastle went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and a walk.
Ramon Urias went 2 for 4.
The bullpen did it’s job. Matt Bowman (0.2 IP, H, K) finished the fifth inning and the trio of Seranthony Dominguez (K), Keegan Akin (2 K) and Yennier Cano (K) each pitched an inning. Dominguez (1-0) was credited with the win.
Omar’s whistle appeared in the ninth in the form of Felix Bautista, “the Mountain”. Still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Bautista allowed 2 runs on 2 hits while striking out 2 and throwing a wild pitch.
2025 Record: 3-2
Next Game: Wed. 4/2 @ 6:35 pm vs. Boston Red Sox