The Orioles were coasting through spring training, and all seems headed on the up. But spring testing is here, and now is the time to work through things.
After starting 9-1 this spring, the Orioles fell 7-2 to the Minnesota Twins this afternoon. The Birds only mustered three hits, one of them being a single from the debuting Gunnar Henderson.
To make things worse, Cedric Mullins left the game with right hamstring discomfort. The Orioles did announce that after the game, it was just a precaution.
“I think he was doing it (coming out), really, as a precautionary measure. Just felt a little sore and the right thing – I’m glad he did it – was (to) say something and come out of the game.”
– O’s manager Brandon Hyde on Cedric Mullins exiting today’s game against the Twins
Dean Kremer made his second start this spring, going two innings, allowing four hits, two walks, two earned runs and striking out three.
“Feeling things out. Ball is coming out a little better, so (I) feel better, all in all. It’s kind of a mixture of competing and playing to get outs as well as working on things. There are always going to be some ups and downs.”
– Dean Kremer on his outing today against the Twins
Yennier Canó made his spring debut, pitching a clean inning, joining Trey McGough, Keegan Akin and Jacob Webb as the only pitchers with clean inning.
Craig Kimbrel made his second outing of the spring, giving up four runs on five hits in an inning and picking up one strikeout. Cionel Pérez worked an inning today as well. Though he struck out two, he allowed a run on two hits.
The Orioles waited until the ninth inning to start the scoring, when a force out and a walk led to the only runs the Birds would score.
The Orioles dropped to 9-2 for the spring. They will travel to Clearwater, Florida, to take on the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow afternoon. Albert Suárez will get the start with a 1:05 p.m. EST game time.
Side Notes:
• Gunnar Henderson went 1-for-2 in his spring debut. He struck out in the first and hit a ground ball single in the fourth before being replaced in the fifth.
“Felt good. Getting my body used to getting in game shape. Just got to play. Got two at-bats today. Looking forward to progressing a little bit more.”
– Gunnar Henderson on his spring debut
Henderson says that his playing time will be mostly at shortstop this season with some at third base, but the Orioles want short to be his primary position.
• Keegan Akin threw two scoreless innings, improving to four scoreless over three spring outings.
• Colton Cowser is hitting .400 through 15 plate appearances this spring. He has three home runs, three walks and a stolen base, and his 1.900 OPS is the highest of any Orioles player.
What stood out to you about today’s loss to the Twins? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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