BALTIMORE- What happened? The Orioles entered Saturday night’s game with three wins in four games, but they also faced a left-handed starter, Kris Bubic, of the Kansas City Royals.
The Orioles have a .174 average against left-handers, and they didn’t improve in their 4-0 loss to the Royals before 19,348 at Camden Yards.
Tomoyuki Sugano pitched well, allowing two runs in six innings, but got no help.
Bubic (3-2) gave up just three hits in five scoreless innings, and Daniel Lynch IV, another left-hander, gave up one hit in two innings.
The Orioles had just six hits, all singles.
“Two good ones, yeah, and we’ve had our problems with both those lefties,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “And they have a really good bullpen. We saw that first-hand in the postseason … We’ve got to do a better job against left-handed pitching.”
Mikael Garcia’s RBI single scored Jonathan India, who doubled in the fourth. Cavan Biggio homered in the fifth.
Sugano (3-2) allowed two runs on four hits, walked two and struck out four. He had to endure a 57-minute rain delay after the first inning.
With Ramón Urías added to the ever-expanding injury list, manager Brandon Hyde started right-handed hitters Emmanuel Rivera at third and Jorge Mateo at second.
Coby Mayo, who was called up from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Urías, pinch-hit for Heston Kjerstad in the seventh and popped to second. He struck out against John Schreiber to end the game.
Kyle Isbel homered to lead off the eighth against Seranthony Domínguez. Vinnie Pasquantino hit a home run with two outs for a 4-0 lead.
Gunnar Henderson tied his season-high with three of the Orioles’ six hits.
The Orioles are 13-19.
How did Sugano throw? Sugano played his home games at the Tokyo Dome, so bad weather wasn’t a factor there. Hyde said that had the delay gone past an hour, he would have had to find another pitcher.
“I thought he handled it fantastic,” Hyde said “Both starters got their outings cut short by probably an inning or so because of that hour delay, but Tomo’s got a lot of experience and he stayed ready. Went down to the bullpen when the tarp was pulled. I thought he had the same stuff as he had in the first inning, so I thought he threw the ball great.”
Sugano spent much of the hour on an exercise bike and then threw in the bullpen before the game resumed. He’s struck out 16 and walked three over 25 innings in his last four starts, and is feeling more at ease with the Orioles.
“I do feel confident, but more than anything, I think I feel more comfortable,” Sugano said through his translator. “I know how to prep in going into the game. I think those are more important to me, and yeah, I’ve been doing it well.”
How does Mayo feel? Before Friday’s game, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said he thought Mayo was close to a recall, and because of Urías’ injury, it came quickly.
“Not overly surprised. I know I was playing well,” Mayo said. “Not as obviously well as I could have been playing. Yeah, so wasn’t too surprised. Obviously happy and grateful for another opportunity.”
Mayo had two brief chances with the Orioles in the last two months of the season, and he’s hoping for a sustained chance.
“Yeah, of course. I think every player wants an opportunity to show their talent and showcase their abilities to be a really good major league baseball player,” Mayo said. “And I think I’ve done a really good job of being a really good minor league player. Now it’s about becoming a really good, consistent major league player.”
Will the Orioles ever hit lefties? The Orioles are missing three key right-handed hitters — Urías, Tyler O’Neill and Jordan Westburg. It’s giving outfielder Ramón Laureano a chance to get regular playing time against left-handers.
“I have no idea. I don’t even know what I’m doing, either,” he said about hitting against left-handers. “So, I’m hitting the ball harder against them but, at the end, that means nothing. So, this is a results-based sport and we’re just not having … They call it unlucky.”
At Norfolk, Mayo was 9-for-17 (.529) against left-handers with four home runs and nine RBIs.
“Obviously, we do a lot of preparation, talking in the offseason just about that can be a big role for me in my career, being a lefty power hitter, just a really good hitter in general,” Mayo said. “Being stingy with swing decisions and whatnot. I think just narrowing the zone down in Triple-A and trying to make them come to me, where last year in Triple-A, I hit well off lefties … but this year hopefully there’s more power.
“I think last year I only had one homer off a lefty and I already have four this year. Good to see signs of improvement in that department and just look to continue with that.”
What does it mean? The Orioles won’t have a long winning streak if they can’t hit left-handers. They’re 2-9 against left-handed starters.
What’s the word? “It’s been a struggle so far against left-handed pitching.”-Hyde stating the obvious about Orioles’ woes against lefties.
What’s the stat of the day? The Orioles were shut out for the fifth time this season.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Catcher Silas Ardoin had two RBIs as Double-A Chesapeake beat Hartford, 6-5.
Walker Pennington allowed three runs on a hit and two walks and retired just two batters in his start for High-A Aberdeen, which lost to Bowling Green, 4-3.
First baseman Aneudis Mordán homered and drove in three runs.
Centerfielder Braylin Tavera and catcher Yasmil Bucce homered for Single-A Delmarva in its 10-5 loss to Fayetteville.
Right-hander Cohen Achen was promoted from Aberdeen to Chesapeake. Achen started and allowed a run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Baysox infielder Max Wagner was activated from the injured list.
Delmarva infielder Steven Ondina is on the 7-day injured list while infielder Fernando Peguero moves from the Shorebirds to Norfolk.
The Florida Complex League Orioles began play on Saturday. They’ll play 26 home games between Tuesday and July 24th at Twin Lakes Park at Sarasota and two at the Ed Smith Stadium complex on June 30th and July 8th. Games begin at noon Monday-Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturdays. There is no admission.
What’s next? Kyle Gibson (0-1, 22.09) will face right-hander Michael Lorenzen (3-3, 3.48) on Sunday at 1:35 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich,@BaltimoreBaseball.com