A rain-soaked L, Rutschman and Mullins remain out, while O’Hearn makes his all-star case.
Good morning Birdland,
Welp, the win streak was fun while it lasted. The Orioles got back to losing on Tuesday night, 7-4 to the Cardinals. Tomoyuki Sugano was not especially sharp, but rebounded to turn in 5.1 solid innings. Ryan O’Hearn provided a middle inning Earl Weaver special to give the good guys the lead. But the O’s bullpen continued its May struggles as both Keegan Akin and Bryan Baker had rough outings. Sprinkle in some questionable outfield defense and a lack of opportunistic offense and you have an unfortunate loss.
Something else that was notable about the game was that both Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutschman sat on the bench all night. Even in the ninth inning, when the Orioles maybe could have mounted a comeback, Tony Mansolino let Chadwick Tromp hit instead of subbing in one of his more proven hitters.
Mansolino had said prior to the game that Mullins would be available, they were just trying to keep him fresh. That does not appear to be the entire truth if he was unable to take one at-bat late in the game.
Rutschman’s absence was less surprising. It seems like he is dealing with some concussion symptoms after taking a foul ball off the facemask against Boston. But the Orioles need to make a decision. The seven-day IL exists for instances like this. If Rutschman needs some time, that is understandable. But the team cannot carry three catchers, especially when two of them are not MLB quality hitters, for too long. It is a detriment to the team.
It is unclear if the rubber game of this series is going to happen today. Rain is expected throughout the day, although it does dissipate in the late evening. Both teams are off on Thursday, when the weather should be much better, so it could make more sense to play a day game then. We will see.
Links
What Tottenham can teach Orioles fans | The Baltimore Banner
Meoli explains why it’s not time to blow everything up that the Orioles have built since 2019. Sure, the season has been a nightmare, but it doesn’t mean the foundation of the organization is rotten. I can buy that. I also want to watch the rest of this season to see how it goes and what it looks like. There is no good reason to get rid of Mike Elias in the middle of the year anyway.
O’Hearn remains most valuable to Orioles | Roch Kubatko
One thing the 2025 Orioles got right was picking up Ryan O’Hearn’s $8 million option. He has been tremendous, the lone steady presence in an O’s lineup that has largely disappointed this season. The All-Star Game is still 48 days away, but right now O’Hearn isn’t just vying to be a pity rep for one of the league’s worst teams, he is in the discussion to start for the AL.
The advice that may have sent Holliday on All-Star path | Orioles.com
Speaking of all-star game nominees, Jackson Holliday is in the conversation as well. His 112 wRC+ is sixth among AL second baseman, and he is trending up. In May he owns a 122 wRC+. Continued growth could see him make the trip to Atlanta for the Midsummer Classic.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Craig Kimbrel turns 37 today. He had a tough 2024 season in Baltimore, where he looked like an all-star in the first half and then a disaster in the second half.
- Daniel Cabrera is 44 years old. For five seasons from 2004 through ‘08 the righty frustrated onlookers with his talent and uneven performances.
- The late Bob Kuzava (b. 1923, d. 2017) was born on this day. He pitched in 10 games for the Orioles between the 1954 and ‘55 seasons.
This day in O’s history
1968 – The American League owners agree to a realignment that divides the league into two divisions and reduces their schedule to 156 games. The Orioles end up in the Eastern Division alongside Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, New York, and Washington.
1987 – Orioles DH Mike Young becomes the fifth major league to hit two extra-inning home runs in the same game. His second long ball, which comes in the 12th inning, gives the O’s a walk-off 8-7 win over the Angels.
1996 – Cal Ripken Jr. hits three home runs, including a grand slam. Billy Ripken also homers, making it the second time the two have homered in the same MLB game. The Orioles beat the Mariners 12-8.