Geographics created a fun name, but location has created a rivalry that not only extends to a television dispute but arguably who has the better fan base.
This season, the Orioles and Nationals are headed in opposite directions, but this is the major leagues, and anything can happen on any given day.
After the Orioles took two of three in Chicago, they headed to D.C. and ended up taking the two-game set from the Nats. They finished their road trip winning four games and only losing one.
In game one, Dean Kremer took the mound under one of the biggest microscopes of the season. The question is, would he step up to the spotlight?
Dirty Dean came in ready to deal and not only put forth his best outing of the year but one of the best by an Orioles starter this season. He allowed four hits and only let two runners reach second base. The right-hander also walked none and struck out six to earn his first victory of the year.
Of course, the bullpen finished off what Kremer started. Danny Coulombe, Yennier Cano and Félix Bautista would come in to finish off the victory. Bautista picked up his fifth save, and Austin Hays provided the lone RBI in the O’s 1-0 shutout victory.
If game one was Kremer’s turn around, game two would be Kyle Bradish reminding fans that he’s just as special.
Bradish threw just 1.2 innings in his first start, as he was hit by a line drive to the ankle that placed him on the IL. Game two of this series was acting as his season debut.
Bradish, not to be out done by Kremer (his off-season workout partner), would be just as dominant as Kremer. Pitching to almost the same stat line, Bradish would go six innings, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out six. And just like Kremer, he allowed zero runs and picked up his first victory.
Bryan Baker, Cionel Pérez, Yennier Cano and Mike Baumann allowed just three base runners through the last three innings to preserve the 4-0 victory.
Adam Fraizer, who hit a home run, led the charge on offense with two RBIs, while Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson each collected an RBI.
BATTERY ❌-FACTOR
The Oriole offense has been one of the most explosive in baseball to start the season. This was the primary reason the BATTERY ❌-FACTOR was the offense and attacking the young starters the Nats sent to the mound.
Looking at the scores and the fact that in two games, the offense collected a total of nine hits, many would assume we guessed incorrectly. However, looking closer, the prediction was actually backed up.
In game one, the Birds forced Josiah Gray to throw 98 pitches, collecting four walks in just five innings. Game two saw MacKenzie Gore throw 103 pitches, as well as four walks, in six innings of work.
The patience the Birds are showing at the plate is forcing high pitch counts and allowing their opponents to get to the bullpen earlier than their they want.
After a 4-1 road trip and back-to-back shutouts, the Birds have an off day on Thursday. The team moves to 11-7 on the season and are winning games against the teams they need to. The Detroit Tigers come to town for a three-game series starting Friday.
What do you think of this series sweep of the Nats? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
Like Stephen’s content? Follow him on Twitter – @SRJHeckman
The Baltimore Battery 