For every step forward, the O’s always seem to take a step back, dropping out of first place again with an uncompetitive loss to the Nationals last night.
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
So, uh, are we absolutely sure the Orioles have one of the best records in MLB? Because it sure doesn’t feel like they’re one of baseball’s best teams. And it hasn’t felt that way in a while.
The O’s have continued to putter along as no more than a .500 team for the better part of two months, failing to put together a red-hot stretch of games that could help distance themselves from the competition. Even against inferior opponents, like the sub-.500 Nationals last night, the Orioles continue to get in their own way. Their offense doesn’t hum like it did in the first half. Their defense has been sloppy. Their injury-ravaged pitching staff is showing its lack of depth.
Andrea SK recapped the latest loss, which was a close game for three innings before falling apart for the Orioles in the fourth. The struggles continue for Trevor Rogers, who thus far has failed to justify the trade that sent Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby to Miami (though the Marlins haven’t gotten immediate value from the deal, either, as Stowers is 4-for-40 and Norby is back in the minors). The Orioles’ problematic middle relief failed to keep things close, and the lineup went completely silent after the third inning. It was a listless all-around effort that made it seem like several Orioles had failed to catch the plane back home from their 10-game road trip.
The O’s couldn’t realistically rely on the White Sox to beat the Yankees for a second game in a row, and indeed, New York took care of business with a 4-1 win last night, leapfrogging them half a game ahead of the Birds for first place in the AL East. The Yankees, like the Orioles, have failed to put together an extended stretch of winning in the last few weeks, so this race should stay close for a while.
On paper, the Orioles have the talent to put together a streak of winning baseball and take control of the division. But they just…haven’t. Something isn’t clicking with this team right now, and let’s hope it doesn’t torpedo their hopes for an extended run in the postseason.
Links
Orioles starter Trevor Rogers underwhelms in Camden Yards debut – The Baltimore Banner
The way Rogers has pitched so far, the Orioles would have been better off just keeping Cole Irvin and trading Norby and Stowers for, like, a relief pitcher.
Colton Cowser’s roller coaster season is trending up again – Steve Melewski
This was published before Cowser went 0-for-5 in last night’s game. The roller coaster is headed back down, I guess.
Orioles prospect Brandon Young is on Mike Elias’ ‘radar’ – The Baltimore Sun
Jacob Calvin Meyer offers a profile of Brandon Young, who could be the next starter up from the minors if a spot opens in the Orioles’ rotation. Which, considering how this year has gone for O’s pitchers’ health, will probably be sooner than later.
Hyde trying to find situations that enable Kimbrel and Soto to become high-leverage contributors – School of Roch
Well, uh…good luck.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Three ex-Orioles were born on this day: infielder Tommy Shields (60), outfielder Mark Leonard (also 60), and right-hander Mike Cook (61).
On this date in 1998, the Orioles’ Chris Hoiles became the first catcher, and ninth player in MLB history, to hit two grand slams in a game. His first salami came in the top of the third inning against Cleveland starter Charles Nagy, who had intentionally walked B.J. Surhoff specifically to face Hoiles with the bases loaded. Great plan, dude. Hoiles’s next blast was in the eighth off reliever Ron Villone, who had walked the bases loaded ahead of him. The Orioles rolled to a 15-3 rout at Jacobs Field.
And in 2009, Felix Pie became the fourth player in O’s history to hit for the cycle, leading a 16-6 blowout of the Angels at Camden Yards. Pie collected an RBI double in the Orioles’ six-run first inning, bashed a solo homer in the third, singled to lead off the seventh, then came up later that same inning needing a triple for the cycle — and did exactly that, lacing one to the wall in right-center. Quite the accomplishment for Felix, even if Angels manager Mike Scioscia had to be a big ol’ grump and complain about Pie celebrating at third base.
Random Orioles game of the day
On Aug. 14, 1981, the Orioles lost to the White Sox in Baltimore, 5-3. The O’s managed only five hits against three Chicago pitchers, while Birds starter Sammy Stewart gave up four runs in seven innings, including a homer by Jim Morrison (not the guy from The Doors).
Of note: in the bottom of the ninth, after Terry Crowley singled, the Orioles replaced him with a pinch-runner who was playing just his fourth MLB game. Some kid named Cal Ripken Jr., who would get his first major league hit two days later. He was one of four future Hall of Famers to appear in this game, along with teammate Eddie Murray and Chicago’s Carlton Fisk and Harold Baines.