PITTSBURGH—What happened? A forgettable weekend in Pittsburgh came to a painful close for starting pitcher Chris Bassitt and Orioles manager Craig Albernaz.
Bassitt was hit in the left leg by a ball off Oneil Cruz’s bat in the second inning. He finished the inning but didn’t come out for the third.
Albernaz, who had a frustrating three days, was ejected in the top of the third by home plate umpire James Jean for complaining that Pittsburgh starter Braxton Ashcraft wasn’t allowing Oriole batters enough time to get ready.
Bassitt, who allowed four runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings in his first start, gave up six runs on six hits, walking two and hitting two. He threw 62 pitches in the Orioles’ third straight loss, 8-2 to the Pittsburgh Pirates before 11,956 at PNC Park on Sunday.
During an at-bat by Blaze Alexander, Albernaz was ejected.
“It was kind of like stirring before that,” Albernaz said. “We knew Ashcraft. He likes to work fast.”
In the second inning, Samuel Basallo, who struck out four times, didn’t have enough time to get ready. Leody Taveras, who led off the third, asked for time twice, and it wasn’t granted, Albernaz said.
“When Leody walked by, he gave me that nugget, and then I watched what happened with Blaze, and that’s when I kind of like got me over the edge pretty much.”
Bench coach Donnie Ecker managed the rest of the game as Albernaz watched on television from his office.
The Orioles (3-6) and Pirates (6-3) had played seven straight one-run games over the last two years. Those were the most consecutive one-run games against any opponent in team history.
Sunday represented the Orioles’ most lopsided loss of the season.
Former Oriole Ryan O’Hearn hit a two-run home run in the first, and the Pirates added four more in the second that included a two-run double by O’Hearn.
The Pirates loaded the bases with none out in the second. Spencer Horwitz walked. Henry Davis singled, and Jake Mangum reached on a bunt single.
Cruz lined the ball off Bassitt’s leg as Horwitz scored. Bassitt remained in the game, and Brandon Lowe bounced to Pete Alonso at first, who threw home to force Davis. Reynolds’ sacrifice fly scored Mangum, and O’Hearn’s double scored Cruz and Lowe.
Left-hander Cade Povich, who was recalled before the game when Yaramil Hiraldo went on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, replaced Bassitt for the third.
Povich seemed as if he could get Monday’s start against the Chicago White Sox, but now the Orioles will have to look elsewhere.
After three scoreless innings, Cruz hit a two-run home run in the sixth, and the Orioles were down, 8-1.
Povich managed to save the bullpen, pitching 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, throwing 87 pitches.
The Orioles, who lost 5-4 and 3-2 in the first two games of the series, managed one run in the fourth against Ashcraft, who struck out eight in six innings.
Taylor Ward and Pete Alonso doubled for the Orioles’ first run.
The Orioles struck out 14 times and didn’t walk.
Jeremiah Jackson’s RBI single in the seventh against Mason Montgomery made the score 8-2.
What’s wrong with Bassitt? In his two Oriole starts, Bassitt has allowed 10 runs on 12 hits for a 14.21 ERA in 6 1/3 innings.
“It looked like he just wasn’t sharp. He had misses, was in bad counts, command wasn’t there,” Albernaz said. “With Bass, he’s reliant on command, and that’s his calling card. He didn’t have his command, and that’s what we saw today.”
Bassitt was terse in his answers to questions but did say his bruised left leg was fine.
How did Alexander see Albernaz’s ejection? “Just probably didn’t have enough time to get set in there,” Alexander said. “Just felt like I tapped the plate, running through, and pitch is coming. Yeah, really bad. I mean, I just looked at the umpire and wanted a little bit more time, just kind of get set.
“Things happen. Shoutout to Alby, having our back there and fighting for us there. I just felt like we need a little bit more time to set. I mean, I know it might be Ashcraft’s game, quick pitching and stuff. But just again, give us a little bit more time to get set. That’s really it.”
How did Povich do? Povich’s 5 2/3 innings tied for the third longest for an Orioles pitcher this season. Trevor Rogers had starts of seven and six innings, and Shane Baz’s Saturday start was also 5 2/3.
Albert Suárez had a three-inning save on Wednesday.
“I think coming in there and trying to just eat up innings, give guys some rest, and overall just trying to attack the zone and execute pitches,” Povich said. “That was all I tried to do, and I think probably 99 percent of pitches I threw, I probably did that. That was the ultimate goal, just execution.”.
What does it mean? The Orioles look listless and need to play well in the upcoming series in Chicago to generate some wins and excitement.
What’s the stat of the day? 4. It was the fourth time in nine games the Orioles have struck out 11 or more times this season. They struck out 16 times in the second game of the season. This was the only time they didn’t walk.
What’s the word? “I know spring training is over with, but we were trying to redefine ourselves as getting back to fundamental baseball, playing clean baseball, doing the little things right, and we’re still not done. We still have to get better and that’s on myself and the coaching staff to keep on pushing our guys to get better each day, especially in those areas.”-Albernaz on the Orioles’ shortcomings.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Levi Wells allowed one run on four hits in five innings in Triple-A Norfolk’s 9-1 win over Memphis in the first game of a doubleheader.
Wells struck out three and walked two.
Creed Willems hit a two-run home run and drove in three runs.
Jackson Holliday was hitless in five at-bats. Andrew Kittredge pitched a scoreless inning, striking out two and allowing a hit.
High-A Frederick’s game with Hub City was postponed by rain.
What’s next? The Orioles will begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday night at Rate Field. They have yet to name a starter to face Erick Fedde. Game time is 7:40.
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