What happened? Tomoyuki Sugano allowed six runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings as the Orioles lost to the Texas Rangers, 6-0, on Wednesday night at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
Marcus Semien hit a three-run home run in the third, Ezequiel Duran had a two-run single in the fourth and Corey Seager homered in the fifth.
Sugano (6-5) hasn’t thrown more than five innings in his last five starts. The 10 hits were a career high. Sugano’s ERA is 4.44.
“I think a lot of it is just location,” interim manager Tony Mansolino told reporters in Arlington. “I think it’s command. There’s pitches we’re setting up away and he’s yanking in. Balls have kind of fallen in from there.
“The two hits that did the most damage, the three-run home run from Semien, the location wasn’t that bad. Probably didn’t get it down enough. Semien puts a good swing on a slider. Then the ball Duran flipped in, location not that bad. Just good pieces of hitting, kind of put us in a hole.”
Nathan Eovaldi (5-3), who’s 9-3 lifetime against the Orioles, allowed two hits in five scoreless innings. The Orioles (37-49) were shut out for the ninth time.
“Eovaldi’s really good. The cutter’s 90 mph,” Mansolino said. “It looks like it was moving 2 feet, so that was on. He was locked in, location was really good.”
Jacob Webb and Dane Dunning gave up three hits in the final four innings. Dunning recorded a three-inning save.
“Would love to see the second half of that game, a few more knocks, a few more runs,” Mansolino said. “Just wasn’t our night tonight.”
Ryan O’Hearn, who was elected the starting designated hitter for the American League, had a fourth-inning double, his 500th career hit.
Mansolino said Keegan Akin’s left shoulder discomfort wasn’t “super serious.” Akin was placed on the 15-day injured list.
Corbin Martin, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Norfolk before the game, allowed a hit in a scoreless 1 1/3 innings. Yennier Cano, recalled from Norfolk, threw a scoreless inning.
What does it mean? The Orioles will begin nine straight games against the National League East — three at Atlanta, and three at home against the New York Mets and Miami Marlins to close out the first half of the season.
What’s the stat of the day? Martin was the 49th player used by the Orioles this season. On Tuesday, Jacob Stallings, who started behind the plate on Wednesday, became the 48th.
What’s the word? “I think the league has seen him a little bit and scouting reports out. Just the importance of getting pitches to the locations he wants is probably incredibly important right now, more so than earlier in the year.”-Mansolino on Sugano’s recent performances.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Trey Gibson gave up one hit in a complete-game, seven-inning 3-0 win for Double A-Chesapeake over Richmond in the second game of a doubleheader. Gibson struck out six without walking a batter, throwing 83 pitches.
The Baysox lost to Richmond, 6-4, in the resumption of Tuesday night’s suspended game. Centerfielder Reed Trimble had three hits, including a home run.
Sebastian Gongora allowed five runs in the first inning as High-A Aberdeen lost to Greensboro, 7-3.
Evan Yates allowed a run on two hits in six innings, striking out eight in Single-A Delmarva’s 1-0 loss to Fredericksburg. The Shorebirds had just three hits.
Triple-A Norfolk’s game with Durham was rained out.
What’s next? After a day off on Thursday, the Orioles begin a three-game series at Atlanta on Friday night. Charlie Morton (4-7, 5.63) will start for the Orioles. The Braves have yet to name their starter. Game time is 7:15.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com