CLEVELAND–What happened? On August 1st, 2024, the newly acquired Trevor Rogers arrived at Progressive Field and met his teammates for the first time. Rogers had been traded to the Orioles from the Miami Marlins for outfielder Kyle Stowers and infielder Connor Norby two days before.
Rogers allowed five runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings, the first of just four starts with the Orioles. When his ERA hit 7.11, the Orioles optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.
Last season, Rogers made the trade look smart. The 28-year-old left-hander had a terrific season after he joined the team in mid-June, with a 9-3 record and a 1.81 ERA.
This season hasn’t been as successful. After a strong start, his last two starts haven’t been good. On Sunday, his line was similar to his first start at Cleveland, allowing six runs, five earned, on six hits in five innings in the Orioles’ 8-4 loss to the Guardians before 17,408.
It was the Orioles’ third loss in four games in the series and fifth loss in six games. The Orioles are 10-12 and continue their road trip with three games in Kansas City.
Rogers (2-2) can blame himself for the unearned run. In the third inning, first baseman Pete Alonso fielded Austin Hedges’ grounder and tossed to Rogers, who was supposed to cover first, but he missed tagging the bag by a wide margin. Hedges eventually scored on Steven Kwan’s sacrifice fly.
José Ramirez hit two home runs, in the fourth and fifth. The Guardians (13-10) scored four runs in the fourth. Juan Brito had a two-run double and Brayan Rocchio a run-scoring single.
Manager Craig Albernaz thought the key to Rogers’ weak start was his missing first base.
“I think not securing the first out and not touching first base, just playing catch-up after that,” Albernaz said. “It was a cascading effect of throwing more pitches that inning and then just transitioned over. He just couldn’t kind of get into a rhythm after that just because that pitch total just added up the next inning and then the following one as well.”
Rogers knew how bad the error was and didn’t hide from responsibility.
“No excuse for that,” he said. “I have to make that play. Pete did everything right. I’ve just got to make the play. I’ve just got to bear down. Two innings so far this year have cost me and cost the guys, probably a win. I can handle one-run innings. Giving up a five-spot, I just have to do better. I have to figure out a way to minimize those big innings.”
The Orioles scored four runs in the fifth against starter Joey Cantillo, cutting the lead to 5-4. Taylor Ward hit his first home run with the Orioles, a three-run home run. With the bases loaded, Dylan Beavers grounded a ball to second. Brito’s throw to short wasn’t in time, and Alonso scored.
“I think I got the monkey off my back and hopefully I can keep that rolling and hit a few more,” Ward said. “Really good feeling to get that first one out of the way.”
The bases were loaded for Coby Mayo, who began the 10-batter inning with a walk. Mayo flied to center.
The Orioles didn’t get another hit, and their only baserunner came in the top of the eighth, when after a successful challenge, Jeremiah Jackson drew his first walk of the season.
Ward hit a sinking liner to left that Angel Martínez caught to end the sixth. In the ninth, he hit a popup that Martínez also made a nice catch on. In the third, Gunnar Henderson’s sinking liner to right was snared by David Fry to end the inning.
The Guardians’ bullpen combined for 4 1/3 hitless innings.
“That’s their calling card in Cleveland is having a great ‘pen,” Albernaz said. “They use those guys well. But we had chances. We got good swings on, they made some great plays on us. That’s what happened, just the same thing. I think we just got to work our at-bats more. Our at-bats were better, but I think, especially against the starter, the strikeouts were tough early.
“We did a great job that inning just to kind of get four across. Ideally, you want to keep on going, but when you keep on bringing the different bullpen guys, it’s tough to match up as far as getting your timing and approach. That’s something that we got to get better at.”
Rocchio’s two-run single against Cameron Foster gave Cleveland an 8-4 lead.
The Orioles struck out 12 times after striking out 16 times on Saturday as their offense continues to struggle.
Left-hander Javien Sandridge cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.
Is Rogers slumping? Albernaz says that Rogers isn’t in a funk. In his previous start, Rogers allowed four runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings against Arizona.
“I’m not concerned,” Albernaz said. “The stuff looked good. He might say otherwise, but for us, it looked good. It was just literally him covering first base, and he can never give a team an extra out. And that’s what happened. He just couldn’t limit the damage, as far as just the pitch total and the cascading effect of that.”
Rogers didn’t allow a home run in his first three starts. He’s now allowed three in his last two starts.
“I feel like I’m making good pitches,” Rogers said. “Guys are just putting good swings on them, whether it’s just getting enough of the barrel to find outfield grass somewhere. It’s not getting good luck now. José just hit two bad pitches.
“Good hitters are going to hit bad pitches really far, and you’ve got to tip your cap and move on. I just gotta keep bearing down. I’ve been through this plenty of times before. There’s no need to get emotional. I’ve just got to find a way to minimize those big innings and just keep executing pitches.”
Why have the pitchers made so many errors? Rogers’ error was the fifth this season by a pitcher. Kyle Bradish made two on one play on April 8th. Chris Bassitt and Anthony Nunez also have committed errors.
The Orioles have made 12 errors this season.
“One hundred percent, very disappointing,” Albernaz said. “That’s something we still have to clean up and get better at. We’re still going to practice it all the time, because we have to, obviously. The first ones were more fielding and throwing, [the Rogers] one was just covering the base, just didn’t chop his feet. Pete did a great job, good feed. It just looks like Rog just kind of lost where he was. So yeah, that’s something that we still have to address.”
What does it mean? The Orioles will need good starts from Trevor Rogers in order to contend, and he’ll have to bounce back in his next start against Boston next weekend.
What’s the word? “They did a great job in the four-run inning, and I go out there and give up another homer. I’m just not really giving my team a really good chance to win right now. I’ve just got to continue to improve. I still really like where I’m at right now. I’ve just got to minimize those big innings.” –Rogers on his start.
What’s the stat of the day? 28. The Orioles struck out 28 times in the last two games, their most since September 14th-15th, 2023.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Andrew Kittredge, who recently returned from paternity leave, allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits, retiring just two batters in Triple-A Norfolk’s 6-3 loss to Durham.
Cade Povich gave up a run on three hits in five innings, striking out 10, walking two.
Jhonkensy Noel hit a three-run home run.
Right-hander Keagan Gillies, who had been out since early in spring training with a hamstring injury, is on a rehab assignment for Single-A Delmarva. Gillies pitched a scoreless inning in Delmarva’s 10-2 loss to Fredericksburg. Infielder Cobb Hightower is on the injured list with a shoulder injury.
Double-A Chesapeake’s game with New Hampshire was canceled.
What’s next? The Orioles will begin a three-game series at Kansas City against the Royals. Kyle Bradish (1-2, 5.49) will start against Seth Lugo (1-1, 1.48) on Monday night at 7:40.
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