The Baltimore Orioles held off the Boston Red Sox Saturday night for a 2-1 win in the second game of the twinbill. The win kept the team percentage points ahead of the Chicago White Sox for the second worst record in MLB.
While the win was rare, just the second in the past ten games, it is how it happened that was probably not on may bingo cards. The game was an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel between Baltimore’s Trevor Rogers and Boston’s Lucas Giolito. Yes, the Trevor Rogers (0-2) who pitched to a 7.13 ERA in 4 game for the Orioles in 2024 following his trade-deadline acquisition.
Pitching in his first game of ’25 after suffering a right knee injury during Spring Training, Rogers went toe to toe with Giolito (7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K) in putting zeroes on the scoreboard. Rogers gave the Birds a quality start; 6.1 IP, 2 H, 5 K, 1 hit batter, 87 pitches (56 strikes) but ultimately did not factor into the decision.
The game was scoreless through 7 innings and then the Orioles broke the ice in the eighth. Maverick Handley (0 for 3, BB) walked with one out, Gunnar Henderson (0 for 3, R, BB) reached first on a forceout, Adley Rutschman (1 for 3, BB) drew a two out walk and with runners on first and second, Ryan O’Hearn (1 for 4, RBI) singled in Henderson.
The eventual winning run came in the ninth. Jorge Mateo (1 for 3, R, BB, SB) drew a two out walk and proceeded to steal second base. Dylan Carlson (2 for 4, 2B, RBI) brought Mateo in with his double to left.
Pitching in relief for the second ime in four days, Andrew Kittredge (1-0) was credited with the win for his 1 hit, 1 walk and 1 strikeout 1.0 inning effort.
Seranthony Dominguez (1.2 IP, R, 2 H [HR], K) closed out the game but did surrender a homerun to Boston’s Abraham Toro. On the play Mateo ran into the right field wall and tumbled over it into the Boston bullpen.
In case you missed it, Cionel Perez was designated for assignment on Saturday and RHP Yaramil Hiraldo was promoted.
2025 Record: 17-34
Next Game: Sun. 5/25 @ 1:35 pm vs. Red Sox in Boston