A common refrain at this point in the season whenever a player or team struggles is “it’s still early”, well eventually it becomes not early. The Baltimore Orioles, having lost two games in a row and six of their last eight, may have passed the still early point.
An offense that generated just four hits was shut out 9-0 by the Arizona DiamondBacks on Wednesday. The Orioles were so snake-bitten by Arizona pitching that they went three-up, three-down in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings as well as in the first and fifth innings. A double play erased a runner in scoring position in both the second and sixth innings. Adley Rutschman (1 for 3, BB) was stranded at third in the fourth inning.
Gunnar Henderson went 1 for 4 while Tyler O’Neill and Ramon Urias each went 1 for 3. Maybe torpedo bats are in order?
Dean Kremer (1-2) started and took the loss. The right-hander allowed six runs on eight hits, including three homeruns, while walking one, striking out four and hitting a batter over 4.2 innings. His only clean inning occurred in the fourth and was aided by a back to home plate basket catch by Urias. Back to back homeruns by Pavin Smith and Josh Naylor as well as an Alex Thomas hit by pitch chased Kremer from the mound.
In relief of Kremer, Cionel Perez allowed a run on 2 hits with a walk and 2 strikeouts over 1.1 innings and Colin Selby, called up when Zach Eflin was placed on the IL, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits (HR) with 2 strikeouts over 1.0 inning.
Matt Bowman allowed 1 hit and struck out 1 pitching in the eighth.
What say you, Orioles fans, is it still early?
2025 Record: 5-8
Next Game: Fri. 4/11 @ 7:05 pm vs. Toronto Blue Jays