What happened? After missing five games with a sprained left index finger, Jordan Westburg homered. Cedric Mullins also hit a two-run home run in the Orioles’ 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday night.
Charlie Morton allowed a two-run home run to Drake Baldwin in the sixth inning. Morton (5-7) allowed two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven, walked one and hit two batters.
“He threw the ball great. There are some pretty big names in that lineup,” interim manager Tony Mansolino told reporters in Atlanta. “A tough place, to throw the ball the way he did, it was great for us.”
Andrew Kittredge pitched a spotless 1 2/3 innings, throwing just 12 pitches. Bryan Baker needed just eight pitches to pitch a perfect eighth. Félix Bautista threw 11 pitches to record his 17th save.
The Orioles (38-49) scored the three runs against Spencer Strider (3-7).
Westburg initially hurt the finger on June 21st, missed three games, then reinjured it but never went on the injured list. He had three hits against Strider.
“We know he’s one of the best in the game. He’s been like that for a while,” Westburg said on the postgame show. “He wants to set up on that good four-seam and throw that slider off it. I’m trying to get back in the swing of things, get timing back after missing a few games. I’m just trying to get on the fastball.”
Mansolino and the coaching staff have implored Westburg to abandon the headfirst dive that caused him to miss time. ‘
“It’s hard for me,” he said. “Part of my game is playing as hard as I possibly can. Some of those instincts kick in, especially on those close plays, Headfirst is a huge advantage for a runner, as much as I’m sure people don’t like hearing it. It’s quicker. I’ve got to phase that out somehow.
“I’ve got to stay on the field. It sucks sitting out. If that means beating myself into sliding feet-first, I’m going to do it.”
It was Westburg’s eighth home run and Mullins’ 13th.
Tyler O’Neill returned to the active roster and was 1-for-3 as the designated hitter.
How well did Morton throw? Morton’s start was delayed by three days because of what the Orioles said was low-grade elbow tendinitis. He wasn’t affected.
“All in all, I felt I threw the ball pretty good,” Morton told reporters in Atlanta.
The 41-year-old Morton was drafted by Atlanta in 2002 and first pitched for them in 2008 before returning from 2021-2024.
“It’s a special place for me. It is,” Morton said. “Atlanta, the Braves’ organization will always be a special place, special team for me.”
Since Morton has pitched well lately, it’s possible that contenders could be interested in him.
“I feel like we’re playing well,” he said. “I still feel like this team is better that even the way we’ve been playing.
“I still feel like the talent in this room is really, really good. Ideally you go on a run. You go on a six, seven, eight,10-game winning streak. You just get really hot.”
Mansolino is excited about Morton’s recent performances.
“He’s been pretty good for a while now,” Mansolino said. “I wish we could take away the first month of the season, but he’s been able to fight out of it and carry us on the mound here for a while.”
What does it mean? The Orioles must go on a long winning streak over the next two or three weeks in order to have any chance at the postseason.
What’s the stat of the day? After losing his first seven decisions, Morton has won his last five.
“I put myself in a bad spot for the first month of the season, at least, and I put the team in a bad spot, so I look back, and man, if I could have won three of those starts.”
What’s the word? “He set the game up for us and did plenty to help us get a win.”–Westburg on Morton’s performance.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Three Greensboro pitchers combined on a perfect game against High-A Aberdeen. The IronBirds struck out 15 times in a 2-0 loss.
Rightfielder Dylan Beavers hit his 10th home run for Triple-A Norfolk’s only run in a 9-1 loss to Durham.
Right-hander Matt Bowman and infielder Emmanuel Rivera both cleared outright waivers and accepted assignments to Norfolk.
Blake Money gave up four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings in Double-A Chesapeake’s 6-1 loss to Richmond.
Carson Dorsey allowed six runs while retiring just two batters in the first as Single-A Delmarva lost to Fredericksburg, 9-8.
What’s next? Dean Kremer (7-7, 4.27) will start for the Orioles on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. Aaron Bummer (1-1, 2.86) will start the bullpen game for Atlanta.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com