Rogers continues June dominance in Orioles’ 3-1 win over Nationals

BALTIMORE–What happened? Trevor Rogers continued his brilliant June with his third straight excellent start, allowing one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings to lead the Orioles past the Washington Nationals, 3-1, before 26,901 at Camden Yards on Friday night.

In Rogers’ previous start, he held the Los Angeles Dodgers to one hit in seven scoreless innings.

Rogers (5-7) struck out seven and walked one. He threw 87 pitches.

Washington (41-42) scored its only run in the fifth when Keibert Ruiz’s RBI single scored Jacob Young.

Dylan Crews led off the Nationals’ seventh with a double, and after Daylen Lile popped to short, Tyler Wells recorded the final two outs.

Grant Wolfram pitched a spotless eighth and Ryan Helsley a perfect ninth for his eighth save.

After a 10.31 ERA in four May starts, Rogers has a 2.05 ERA in five starts this month.

“I questioned my confidence a lot because it just seemed like if I tried to change a game plan or tried something else, just nothing was going my way,” Rogers said. “And that’s what’s hard about this game sometimes.

“I kind of leaned back on the mental skills that I’ve acquired over the past couple years, and to really trust the process and know that eventually that I’d get through it, and I’ve been able to be consistent, throw the ball really well over the last, I don’t know, four or five starts, and just keep doing what I’ve been doing, maintain the same process and just really just try to be consistent and not really try to chase anything else.”

The Orioles (39-44) took a 2-0 lead in the fourth against Andrew Alvarez (1-1). Blaze Alexander’s two-run single scored Coby Mayo and Tyler O’Neill.

Taylor Ward singled with two outs, and Alexander attempted to take third while Jackson Holliday attempted to score. For the second time this month, Alexander was out trying for an extra base before Holliday could cross the plate.

On June 8th, he was out at second when Holliday was trying to score in a 6-3 Orioles’ loss to Seattle.

“I love the aggressiveness, but also, being smart to shut it down, knowing the situation and where the ball is at,” manager Craig Albernaz said about Alexander’s decision-making.

Mayo’s RBI double scored Ward, who had three hits, in the seventh and gave the Orioles a 3-1 lead.

The Orioles left 11 on base.

How good does Rogers look? After Rogers allowed eight runs in 3 2/3 innings in a 16-6 loss at Tampa Bay, Albernaz said the 28-year-old left-hander was close to returning to form.

“So, I had full confidence in Rog,” he said. “When you have that type of talent, that pedigree and his stuff and his makeup, you bet on the person, and the way he goes out with this work, it was no doubt in my mind he was going to turn it around.”

“But, for me, it’s always those little adjustments at the margins. For Rog, it was just a little tweak with how he’s getting down the mound, and we’re seeing the real Rog now, with great life on the heater, throwing strikes and getting both breaking balls in for strikes, strike to ball and also the changeup. So this is kind of Rog getting back to the Rog that we know.”

Rogers said his fastball was as strong as it was against the Dodgers last Saturday.

“The consistency is probably the most important thing that I care about and the way it’s playing in the zone, the swings I’m getting on it, and I’m just really pleased with where it’s at and the biggest thing is I’m maintaining velocity throughout the whole start,” he said.

How is Mayo hitting? With catcher Adley Rutschman on the 7-day concussion injured list, Mayo has batted fourth twice, and it’s worked out well both times.

He doubled twice for the first time in his career, and last Monday, he homered in a 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

“I mean, I’m super confident,” Mayo said. “Hitting fourth, I’ve done it versus lefties twice. And I feel like I’m doing a really good job versus lefties this year, and I like hitting high in the order. I’ve done it for a long time. But obviously, with a really good roster, anywhere in the lineup is good. So, it’s been fun. I like hitting behind Pete [Alonso]. Just want to keep that momentum kind of rolling.”

What does it mean? Rogers’ consistency has improved, and it’s helping the Orioles.

What’s the stat of the day? 0. It was the second start that Rogers didn’t walk a batter.

What’s the word? “I mean, it’s been my Kryptonite this year. I feel like I haven’t done my job versus righties this year, and I know I can hit them.”-Mayo on hitting against right-handers.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? In his second rehab start, Dean Kremer threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, striking out eight and walking one in Triple-A Norfolk’s 4-1 loss to Durham.

Kremer, who’s on the 60-day injured list with a strained right quadriceps muscle, threw 79 pitches, 50 strikes.

Dylan Beavers was 0-for-4 with a walk as he continued his rehab assignment. Beavers is on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique muscle.

Cade Povich allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits in 3 2/3 innings in Double-A Chesapeake’s 8-3 loss to Harrisburg. Povich, who’s on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, struck out four and walked one in his second rehab start.

Ethan Anderson hit a two-run home run.

Victor Figueroa hit his 21^st home run and drove in three runs in High-A Frederick’s 8-6 loss to Wilmington.

Miguel Rodriguez homered for Single-A Delmarva in a 2-1 loss to Fayetteville in a game shortened to five innings by rain.

What’s next? Brandon Young (6-2, 3.07) will start against left-hander Foster Griffin (8-2, 3.15) on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

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