The Orioles discover themselves atop the American League East largely as a result of they’re masters of the nail-biter. Games resembling Tuesday night time’s blowout loss to the San Diego Padres have been unusual, together with those who finish with them on the successful aspect.
Baltimore’s 10-3 loss, which featured backup catcher James McCann’s first main league pitching look, left the Orioles at 74 victories. Exactly half have are available video games determined by two or fewer runs. Despite a report 17 video games above their opponent’s, Baltimore’s run differential is simply seven higher than San Diego’s.
The Padres (57-63) minimize into that deficit early Tuesday by rapidly creating one for the Orioles. Making his third begin for Baltimore after being acquired in a commerce deadline cope with the St. Louis Cardinals, right-hander Jack Flaherty issued a bases-loaded stroll earlier than surrendering a grand slam to Gary Sánchez in a primary inning through which he threw 18 strikes and 16 balls.
Flaherty’s second body was maybe extra laborious, with one among his 39 pitches inside it leading to a two-run double by former Orioles infielder Manny Machado. He struck out three of his subsequent 4 batters, however with 83 pitches and 7 runs allowed, Flaherty’s night time ended after three innings. He has a 7.07 ERA for the Orioles (74-46), solely as soon as pitching previous the fifth inning.
With the Orioles utilizing a six-man rotation, their bullpen is working a person brief. Nick Vespi allowed three runs over two innings earlier than Shintaro Fujinami and Mike Baumann labored a scoreless inning every. McCann, a 10-year veteran, took the mound for the primary time for the underside of the eighth, stranding two runners in scoring place whereas throwing solely one among his 14 pitches above 50 mph.
Before Austin Hays’ solo dwelling run and Gunnar Henderson’s RBI single plated runs within the ninth, Baltimore’s offense got here on Cedric Mullins’ single within the sixth. San Diego starter Michael Wacha pitched 5 scoreless innings in his first begin since July 1.
Perhaps the one excellent news for the Orioles was the Tampa Bay Rays additionally shedding by seven, leaving Baltimore’s lead within the AL East at three video games.
Around the horn
- Outfielder Aaron Hicks exited Monday’s sport, his first off the injured checklist for a left hamstring pressure, with a sore again and was not in Tuesday’s lineup.
- Continuing his development after Tommy John elbow reconstruction, left-hander John Means made his second rehabilitation begin with Double-A Bowie on Tuesday, permitting 4 runs in 1 1/3 innings. Means threw 45 pitches, up from 28 in his first begin.
This story can be up to date.
Orioles at Padres
Wednesday, 8:40 p.m.
TV: MASN2
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
Orioles at Athletics
Friday, 9:40 p.m.
TV: MASN2, MLB Network (out of market solely)
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com