Orioles strike out 16 times in 4-1 loss to Twins

BALTIMORE–What happened? Before Saturday’s game, the Orioles celebrated the five-year, $68 million contract extension for Sunday’s starter, Shane Baz, who’s yet to start a game for the team.

David Rubenstein, the team’s control owner, noted that the Orioles were undefeated since Baz joined the team.

“We hope to continue that today and for some time,” Rubenstein said.

The Orioles did not.

On the day his jersey hoodies were handed out, Kyle Bradish allowed three runs, two earned, in 4 2/3 innings, and the Orioles’ bats produced just five hits—the same number they had in Thursday’s 2-1 win. It’s the first time since 2018 the Orioles have opened their season with five or fewer hits in the first two games.

The Orioles struck out 16 times in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins before 26,057 chilled fans at Camden Yards.

“There were some good swings, great at-bats,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “It’s just, it looked like we struck out a lot of backup breaking balls. Off-speed, too, up in the zone. And those are the pitches you want to hit. It’s early in the year. I believe our guys would be on time for those and make the adjustment, but I like our at-bats up and down.

“We made [Twins starter Taj  Bradley] work. Taj has really good stuff on the mound. His split was firmer than what we’re accustomed to, what I’m accustomed to, but we had really good at-bats. We just couldn’t get the big hit today.”

Last season, the Orioles exceeded 16 strikeouts only once–when they struck out 17 times against the Twins on May 6^th.

Minnesota had just four hits. Royce Lewis hit a two-run home run against Bradish in the fifth.

Byron Buxton scored Minnesota’s first run in the fourth when he singled, advanced to second on a fly ball to center, moved to third on catcher Adley Rutschman’s errant pickoff throw and came home on Josh Bell’s sacrifice fly.

Against Dietrich Enns, Royce Lewis walked, stole second and scored on Kody Clemens’ RBI single.

The Orioles, who left 10 on base in the first six innings, scored against Bradley in the second on a double by Colton Cowser and a run-scoring single by Jeremiah Jackson.

Gunnar Henderson flied to right field with the bases loaded in the sixth, and that was the Orioles’ final scoring opportunity. Henderson slammed down his bat while running to first, showing his frustration.

How did Bradish look? Albernaz wasn’t displeased with Bradish’s start.

“Bradish looked good early,” Albernaz said. “Looked like when he went back out, velo was down a tick, command started going a little bit. You know, that’s kind of what we saw from the dugout. And that’s the byproduct of  coming out of spring training and getting guys fully built up like we talked about.”

The Orioles will be cautious with Bradish, who has started just seven times since Tommy John surgery in June 2024.

“I think when it gets later on in the season, velocity will stay the same,” Bradish said. “I don’t want to make an excuse for the cold weather but, yeah, I think we’ll see the velocity stay in the mid-90s as we get moving.

“The weather is what it is. It’s tough to pitch when it’s hot, it’s tough to pitch when it’s cold. Pitching is tough, but I think overall, at the end day, I execute one pitch and it’s a different ballgame.”

Bradish has allowed five or fewer hits in each of his nine starts since June 9th, 2024.

How impressive was Anthony Nunez? The 24-year-old right-hander, who was added to the roster when Keegan Akin went on the 15-day injured list with a strained right groin, made his major league debut in the eighth inning, retiring all six batters he faced, striking out three.

“That was extremely impressive,” Albernaz said. “You’re always just curious to see … you see him in spring training, you see how he pitches and you see the stuff, you see the demeanor.

“Now to make his debut in the stadium, the big leagues, he looked the same. The pitchability’s there, he controls his emotions. Even on the [Ryan] Jeffers’ strikeout, kind of mixing a quick pitch with the slider, that’s something wise beyond his years. That was impressive to see and watch.”

Nunez became the fifth Oriole to pitch at least two perfect innings in his major league debut.

“I mean, 72 hours ago, I thought I was going to be in Norfolk,” Nunez said. “So it’s definitely a big whirlwind of a couple of days and it’s just been very exciting. A lot of emotions, and just grateful.”

Nunez, a Miami native, does not normally like pitching in cold weather, but that wasn’t the case on Saturday.

“The adrenaline took over there,” he said.

What does it mean? The Orioles have struck out 24 times in the first two games and have yet to hit a home run. The bats need to get hot soon.

What’s the stat of the day? 31. The gametime temperature was 46 degrees. For Thursday’s opener, it was 31 degrees warmer, 77 degrees.

What’s the word? “They’re very serious about their belief in this franchise, in this city, in this market and doing everything they can to elevate and energize. They’ve been bold in free agency and with contracts, but also with a tremendous amount of infrastructure investment. It’s been invigorating having that, and they’re extremely helpful.”-Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias on David Rubenstein’s ownership group.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Jackson Holliday is not in Saturday’s starting lineup for Triple-A Norfolk. In his first rehab game, Holliday struck out twice and walked. He’s on the 10-day injured list after surgery to remove the hamate bone from his wrist. … Outfielder Reed Trimble was removed from Friday night’s game with right hamstring discomfort.

What’s next? Shane Baz will start in his first game for the Orioles against the Twins’ Bailey Ober on Sunday at 1:35 p.m.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com