What happened? A four-run 11th inning gave interim manager Tony Mansolino his first win and ended an eight-game Orioles’ losing streak.
Jackson Holliday’s RBI single scored Heston Kjerstad for a 5-4 lead, and Adley Rutschman followed with a 110-mph three-run home run against Tyler Alexander (2-4). It lifted the Orioles to a hard-fought 8-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Wednesday.
It was Rutschman’s first right-handed home run of the season, his fifth of the season and first since April 20th.
“It was nice to get ahold of one,” Rutschman said on the MASN postgame interview. “Obviously, in that situation, I’m looking for one over the middle, something I could hopefully drive the guys in, give us a little bit of a buffer there. In that situation, your approach is really just to drive guys in, get something in the air and hopefully get at least one across.”
Mansolino had lost his first four games since being named interim manager on Saturday.
“We hit the ball hard today,” Mansolino told reporters in Milwaukee. “In the extra innings, the balls fell down for us and went through.”
The Orioles (16-32) were within one strike of winning in nine innings, but Félix Bautista, who had walked two, allowed a game-tying single to Caleb Durbin.
Each team scored a run in the 10th.
Bryan Baker (3-0) pitched the 10th, and Seranthony Domínguez threw a scoreless 11th.
Ryan O’Hearn had the Orioles’ second four-hit game of the season.
The Orioles scored a run in the fourth when Gunnar Henderson led off with a single that dropped in front of centerfielder Jackson Churio. Henderson took third on an opposite-field hit-and-run single by Ryan Mountcastle and scored on a base hit by O’Hearn.
Durbin created the tying run for Milwaukee when he doubled to lead off the fifth and scored from second when Brice Turang grounded to Sugano. Durbin ran through a stop sign at third base, and the throw from first wasn’t in time.
Rhys Hoskins homered in the sixth, and Milwaukee led. 2-1.
Andrew Kittredge pitched for the first time with the Orioles and threw a spotless seventh.
Henderson led off the seventh with a single against Nick Mears. With one out, O’Hearn, who had three hits, doubled Henderson to third.
Henderson scored on Mullins’ sacrifice fly to center. Emmanuel Rivera walked off Joel Payamps and Kjerstad singled to left, scoring O’Hearn and giving the Orioles a 3-2 lead.
Gregory Soto pitched a perfect eighth, and Bautista, pitching on consecutive days for the first time this season, walked two and allowed the tying run in the bottom of the ninth.
“He just didn’t have command of his fastball. I think we’ve seen that here for a couple of outings,” Mansolino said. “The more we get him in here … the velocity of the fastball looked pretty good.”
Mansolino said it’s been the team’s plan for Bautista to begin pitching on consecutive days around now, and that avoiding long layoffs will help him.
The Orioles took a 4-3 lead in the 10th when O’Hearn singled to score Henderson from third base. Henderson was the automatic runner and moved to third on Mountcastle’s grounder to first.
Churio’s RBI single against Baker scored Isaac Collins, the automatic runner, to tie it, 4-4.
How did Sugano throw? Tomoyuki Sugano allowed two runs on five hits in six innings, walking one and striking out three.
“His command of 10 pitches, or whatever it is, I have no idea, but he throws the ball wherever he wants,” Mansolino said. “He’s awesome. He’s kind of been our stopper, and he did it today.”
Sugano was happy to help the Orioles end their losing streak.
“As a team, we do have the ability to turn things around with this,” Sugano said through his translator. “I feel like every time I start in some capacity, the guys rely on me. If we can continue to play these kind of games moving forward, that will be great.”
What does it mean? It was perhaps the most exciting game of the season and good to see the Orioles persevere and come away with their first win since May 11th.
What’s the word? “This whole thing isn’t about me, me managing. You win a game and everybody’s congratulating you for your first win. I don’t really feel that way about it. It’s more for the players and the organization.”-Mansolino on his first win.
What’s the stat of the day? Kittredge is the 42nd player used by the Orioles. They’ve played 48 games.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Colton Cowser, who’s on the 60-day injured list, is beginning a rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen. Cowser, who fractured his left thumb, could be activated on May 30th.
Rightfielder Hudson Haskin hit a grand slam in Double-A Chesapeake’s 6-4 win over Harrisburg in 11 innings.
What’s next? The Orioles open a four-game series in Boston on Thursday night at 6:45. Cade Povich (1-3, 5.23) will face Lucas Giolito (1-1, 7.08).
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich,@BaltimoreBaseball.com