Dean Kremer and the O’s try to get back on the horse after yet another aggravating loss.
The Orioles were active on the trade front yesterday, but the team’s play on the field remains frustratingly sub-par.
The O’s took their fourth loss in the last five games in last night’s series opener against the Padres, a game filled with many of the same problems that have plagued the Birds for nearly a month now. The offense, despite showing some life with an eighth-inning rally, wasted a few scoring opportunities that could have decided the game. The Orioles’ defense suffered a couple of key misplays that led to Padres runs. And the bullpen remained anything but reliable, with another Craig Kimbrel meltdown breaking the ninth-inning tie.
It’s hard to have a lot of confidence in this team right now. But reinforcements have arrived. Newly acquired reliever Seranthony Dominguez and outfielder Cristian Pache made their O’s debuts last night after being acquired from the Phillies for Austin Hays, and veteran starting pitcher Zach Eflin could pitch for the Birds as soon as Monday after arriving in a trade from the Rays.
Those guys won’t make a difference unless several of the slumping core Orioles get their acts together soon (looking at you, Adley and Gunnar). Perhaps today will be the day. They’ll be facing former Yankee Michael King, who’s having a nice season for the Padres after coming over in the Juan Soto trade. The Orioles will counter with Dean Kremer, who threw a quality start against the Padres last year in his only career outing against them. Kremer held Manny Machado, the man for whom he was once traded, to an 0-for-3.
Orioles lineup:
SS Gunnar Henderson
C Adley Rutschman
RF Anthony Santander
1B Ryan O’Hearn
DH Heston Kjerstad
LF Colton Cowser
CF Cedric Mullins
2B Connor Norby
3B Ramón Urías
RHP Dean Kremer
Padres lineup:
1B Luis Arráez
LF Jurickson Profar
DH Jake Cronenworth
3B Manny Machado
2B Xander Bogaerts
CF Jackson Merrill
LF David Peralta
SS Ha-Seong Kim
C Kyle Higashioka
RHP Michael King