Saturday’s game was planned to be a bullpen game for the Atlanta Braves (39-49) but I don’t think that the Baltimore Orioles planned on it being one for them as well. The Braves used six bullpen arms in relief of opener, Aaron Bummer, another reliever in his own right while the Orioles needed six relievers for starter Dean Kremer. In the end, the Orioles won 9-6 in 10 innings in front of 37,170 fans in Truist Park.
Kremer, who as noted by Ben McDonald on the broadcast, “didn’t have his A stuff”, lasted just 4.1 innings having surrendered 5 runs on 8 hits with a walk and 3 strikeouts. He also allowed homeruns by Austin Riley and Matt Olson in the first and third innings respectively. In total, Kremer allowed six extra-base hits to Atlanta hitters.
Fortunately Baltimore answered with homeruns by Tyler O’Neill and Jordan Westburg in the third inning and one by Colton Cowser in the fourth.
445 ft.
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— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 5, 2025
WESTY JUST WENT 461 FT.
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— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 5, 2025
With the game tied at 5 a piece in the fourth, the Braves took the lead on a bases loaded groundout in the sixth. Significantly, Orioles reliever Scott Blewett got out of a bases loaded and no out jam having only surrendered that one run.
Baltimore tied the game again on a Jackson Holliday RBI single that allowed Cedric Mullins to cross the plate in the seventh inning.
Jackson ties the game
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— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 5, 2025
The bullpens held serve in the eighth and ninth ninnings before the Orioles put up a three spot in the top of the tenth. Ramon Laureano doubled in Westburg and following an intentional walk to Ryan O’Hearn, backup catcher Jacob Stallings doubled in both Laureano and O’Hearn. Stallings was in the game because starter Gary Sanchez left the contest in the fourth with right knee discomfort following a play at home on Olson in the fourth. Interim Manager Tony Mansolino revealed that Sanchez was undergoing a MRI post-game.
Laureano in the clutch
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— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 5, 2025
A JOLT FROM JACOB
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 5, 2025
Not a single Baltimore hitter had a multi-hit game but Stallings, Westburg and Cowser each accounted for a pair of RBI in the contest.
Felix Bautista (1-1) recorded the win after striking out 2 in the ninth inning while Yennier Cano recorded his first save of the season.
With the win the Orioles are once again 10 games below .500, begging the question, can they get into and stay single digits under .500 as they attempt to become relevant in the AL Wild Card chase? Time will tell with seven games remaining before the All-Star break.
2025 Record: 39-49
Next Game: Sun 7/6 @ 11:35 am vs. Braves in Atlanta (ROKU TV)