My, how the mighty have fallen and a new has risen.
The Baltimore Orioles have served notice to the AL East that they are here to make noise. Their first victim was the Tampa Bay Rays, and their latest is the New York Yankees.
The season series belongs to the Orioles, as they not only won the final series two games to one but synched up the season series, seven to six.
A series that saw the Orioles use a dominating pitching performance from rookie phenom Grayson Rodriguez and an offensive explosion in the final game in front of a national audience, the young, upstart Birds are proving they are not a push-over anymore.
Let’s see how the series unfolded as the Birds kept the Yankees in the cellar.
GAME 1: O’s 1, NYY 0
If there was any doubt on the ability of Grayson Rodriguez, it was put to rest in game one.
Since his return from Triple-A, Rodriguez has a 3.18 ERA while pitching into the sixth inning in each game. He has allowed only three hits in back-to-back starts while pitching 5.2 and 6.1 innings, respectively.
Against the Yankees, his 6.1 innings of three-hit, no-run ball was toe-to-toe with Gerrit Cole. Though he didn’t factor in the decision, it was Rodriguez who set the tone and would keep Aaron Judge and the Yankees from getting any advantage.
Shintaro Fujinami, Yennier Canó, Danny Coulombe and Félix Bautista (W, 6-1) would keep the Yankees off the board and the shutout intact.
It was Anthony Santander who provided all the offense, as he would hit a walk-off home run and secure the 1-0 win. The playoff atmosphere was felt, and Birdland erupted in a sea of cheers as the Birds would win their 63rd game. It also marked a victory on Mo Gaba Day, giving our little hero a smile from above.
GAME 2: O’s 3, NYY 8
Tyler Wells has struggled since the All-Star Break. His last three starts have totaled nine innings and 11 earned runs (11.00 ERA).
Against the Yankees, Wells would not make it out of the third (his third straight game of less than five innings), giving up three earned runs while allowing three hits and three walks. In fact, Wells was optioned to Double-A Bowie after the game.
Though Ryan Mountcastle homered in the game, the Orioles’ offense mustered only five hits and three runs for the game. Anthony Santander and Ramón Urías pitched in with an RBI each.
As for the bullpen, Mike Baumann and Cole Irvin combined for 2.2 innings, eight hits, one walk and five earned runs. Unfortunately, that was enough to put the game out of reach and end any chances of the Birds sweeping the Yanks.
Bryan Baker (1.2 innings) and Cionel Pérez (two innings) had scoreless relief appearances to close the game out. The Yankees won 8-3, tying the season series at six wins a piece.
GAME 3: O’s 9, NYY 3
Dean Kremer struggled from the onset in game three, though he managed four innings and fortunately only gave up three runs.
Kremer, who was vying for win No. 11, labored through his four innings as his command was all over the place. Facing 21 batters, Kremer allowed seven hits, two walks and three runs before O’s manager Brandon Hyde pulled him from the game.
The good news was the Orioles put up seven runs in the first inning, led by Adley Rutschman’s two hits, as the Orioles sent 11 batters to the plate. Adam Frazier blasted a 395-foot three-run home run, as the Birds opened the game with five hits (four straight) and a walk, scoring six runs before the first out.
Baumann (8-0) would pitch an inning to pick up the win. Fujinami, Coulombe and Canó would keep the Yankees in check, as the O’s pitching would set a team record by striking out 18 Yankee batters.
Rutschman (3-for-4), Gunnar Henderson (2-for-5) and Ryan O’Hearn (2-for-5 and 3 RBI) would pace the offense. The Birds pounded out 12 total hits, collected three walks and picked up a hit-by-pitch (James McCann) as the offense jumped out early and big. The Orioles would win 9-3, taking the series and winning the season series, 7-6.
The season series win marked the first time since 2016 when the Orioles won the season series 10-9, which was also the last time the Orioles made the playoffs.
BATTERY ❌-FACTOR
The Orioles’ bullpen has been struggling recently, but it was a big factor in the series against the Yankees, and they put the big ❌ in the BATTERY ❌-FACTOR.
The bullpen would combine for 14 innings and five earned runs (3.21 ERA) while allowing 14 base runners (1.21 WHIP). They would strike out 17 batters and would regain some swagger with two victories in the series.
The Orioles have now won four of their last six series, and the bullpen is rounding into form as the stretch run begins.
The Orioles will head to Toronto to face the Blue Jays for a four-game series starting tomorrow. The Blue Jays are 5.5 games behind the Orioles in the division, so once again, this series has big implications on postseason standings.
Will the Orioles continue to fly high, or will the Blue Jays bring the Birds back down? It all starts tomorrow at 7:07 p.m. EST.
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