What happened? A night after former Oriole Ramón Urías ended Brandon Young’s attempt for a perfect game, Urías’ drove in the winning run on a force play in the 12th inning as the Orioles lost to the Houston Astros, 5-4.
In the bottom of the 12th with the bases loaded and one out, Urías grounded to third baseman Jordan Westburg. Instead of going home for a force play on Carlos Correa, Westburg chose to try to get a double play. He threw to second baseman Jackson Holliday for a forceout, and Holliday’s throw to first was wild. It appeared Urías would’ve beaten the throw if it had been accurate.
Earlier in the inning, with Jose Altuve on second and Correa at first, Holliday fielded a grounder and chose to throw to first for an out, moving runners to second and third.
Keegan Akin (4-3) walked Christian Walker to load the bases, and Urías hit the game-winning force.
Both teams had numerous chances to win the game, and the Orioles failed to convert any of their scoring chances in three extra innings, finishing 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
“We just didn’t get it done there the last few innings,” interim manager Tony Mansolino told reporters in Houston. “You can think about that last play and how it worked out. The reality is that we had three innings with a runner on second base [with none out] to score a run, and didn’t get it done.”
Urías was one of Mansolino’s favorite players, and it was ironic that he was such a featured player just over two weeks after he was traded to the Astros just ahead of the deadline.
“I don’t think Ramón wanted to hit either of those balls the way he hit them,” Mansolino said. “For some reason, it just worked out for him, unfortunately.”
First baseman Coby Mayo made an excellent play to keep the game tied in the bottom of the 11th when Urías tried to score on a squeeze play, and Mayo flipped the ball to catcher Alex Jackson in time to catch Urías.
“We did a lot of stuff really good,” Mansolino said. “A lot of players did a lot of stuff really good.”
Should Westburg have gone to the plate? The Astros had used all of their bench players and lost their designated hitter. Had Westburg thrown to the plate for a force, a pitcher would have had to bat for Houston.
“I think in that scenario when you’re playing the infield in at that depth, generally when there’s a soft-hit ball, you go to the plate,” Mansolino said. “I’m sure Westy would love to have that one back. He’s a really smart player. He took a shot at the double play because Urí is a slow runner. If Jackson gets that thing turned, I don’t know if he’s safe. I don’t know if he’s out.
“Westy’s one of the players in the game that I really, really trust. He does everything right. If that wasn’t the right play, he has the right to make a mistake every once in a while. It’s OK for him to do that because he doesn’t make very many.”
How did Beavers’ 1st night go? Dylan Beavers made his major league debut and went 1-for-5.
The 24-year-old outfielder was added to the roster on Saturday and hit a ninth-inning double after striking out twice and flying to left. He lined into a double play in the 11th.
“Good player, man. We’re excited about him,” Mansolino said. “Nice to get a knock, get it out of the way. I feel like tomorrow, he’s going to be able to relax a little bit. Probably a lot going on today. Facing good pitching. I thought he had good at-bats and did a good job.”
Dylan Carlson hit a two-run home run against Jason Alexander, who allowed two runs on three hits in six innings. Jackson Holliday tied it at 4 in the eighth with a two-run homer against Bennett Sousa.
Beavers made it to third on a passed ball, but the Orioles could not score.
How did Povich do as the bulk man? Rico Garcia was the opener and after a scoreless first inning, Cade Povich followed and allowed three runs on five hits in five innings, striking out 10, equaling a career high.
“A little bit erratic there in his first inning. You can attribute it to the change in routine,” Mansolino said. “And then he goes out there in the [third] inning and he was really good, and then in the [fourth] inning, it kind of unraveled on him.”
Houston scored a run in the second on an RBI single by Mauricio Dubón and two runs in the fourth on singles by Jacob Melton and Correa.
It was the second time the Orioles (56-67) used an opener ahead of Povich.
“It’s a little weird,” he said. “You’re trying to keep everything as normal as you can have it. Try to make it as much of a start feeling as you possibly can. I think if I do this again, I might have to make some adjustments coming in. With getting on the mound, looking up and realizing how little time I had.”
The Orioles also used Kade Strowd, Yennier Cano, Yaramil Hiraldo and Dietrich Enns and Akin.
What does it mean? The Orioles are expected to activate outfielder Colton Cowser from the 7-day concussion injured list on Sunday. Adding Beavers and Cowser to the lineup should create more offense, and when top prospect Samuel Basallo is added, it should make it more potent.
What’s the stat of the day? Beavers is the 61st player used by the Orioles this season. The next new player will tie the team record of 62 set in 2021.
What’s the word? “You’re going to have nights like that. Unfortunately, it showed up in a big game.”–Mansolino on the Orioles’ inability to hit with runners in scoring position.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Four High-A Aberdeen pitchers — Luis De Léon, Jacob Crevey, Zane Barnhart and Carter Baumler — combined on a no-hitter in the IronBirds’ 3-0 win over Hudson Valley. They struck out 14 batters and walked seven. Edwin Amparo homered.
Jordyn Adams hit a two-run home run as Triple-A Norfolk beat Jacksonville, 7-4.
Max Wagner, Adam Retzbach and Anthony Servideo each drove in two runs as Double-A Chesapeake beat Erie, 10-7.
Ike Irish, the Orioles’ top draft pick this season, drove in his first two runs as Single-A Delmarva beat Lynchburg, 6-3.
What’s next? Dean Kremer (8-9, 4.17) will face Cristian Javier (1-0, 3.60) on Sunday at 2:10 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com