BALTIMORE—After winning the first two games against the Los Angeles Angels, the team with the worst record in the majors, the Orioles, who had climbed to within a half-game of the final wild-card spot, fell back on Thursday.
Playing a sloppy game and failing to capitalize on eight walks and a hit batsman, the Orioles lost, 4-1, to the Angels before 21,202 at Camden Yards.
“We did a great job of making them work,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “At-bat quality was great. Eight walks, hit by pitch. We just couldn’t get that big hit that we needed.”
Oriole starter Brandon Young lost for the first time since June 16th, pitching just 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking two and striking out four.
Young (8-3) escaped from a bases-loaded, none out jam in the second without allowing a run.
Zach Neto hit a three-run home run in the third to give Los Angeles (43-72) a 3-0 lead.
Backup catcher Yohel Pozo homered with one out in the third, his first since joining the team.
The Orioles (56-59), who haven’t been at one game below .500 since April 30th, squandered a great chance against Ryan Johnson after Pozo’s home run.
Dylan Beavers singled against Johnson, who gave up one hit in six scoreless innings against the Orioles on June 23rd, but he was thrown out trying to steal.
“I just need to get a better jump,” Beavers said. “That guy’s quick to the plate. It’s like a 1:00-1.20 to the plate. Just trying to get in scoring position for Pete [Alonso] Just need to get a better jump there and can’t be giving away outs on the bases.”
Albernaz found fault with Beavers’ slide.
“He started his slide really, really early,” Albernaz said. “We talked to him about it. If he slides later, he’s in there, so it’s just like a little thing like that. I have no problem with him trying to steal there, again trying to get some offense going, get guys in scoring position and keep the inning going.”
Alonso and Gunnar Henderson walked, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Jackson Holliday swung at the first pitch and grounded to second, ending the third.
“If he feels like it’s a good pitch to hit, you’ve got to go,” Albernaz said. “I mean, bases loaded like that you’ve got to take your shot. You can’t be passive up there. If it’s a good pitch to hit like that, let it rip.”
Johnson walked five in 4 2/3 innings.
The Angels added a run in the seventh on a single by Wade Meckler and a walk to Mike Trout, who advanced a base on a balk by Yaramil Hiraldo. Nolan Schanuel’s sacrifice fly scored Meckler.
Mitch Farris (1-3), Luke Murphy, Tayler Saucedo and Samy Natera Jr. combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Natera recorded his second save.
The Orioles walked three times and had only one hit, a single by Tyler O’Neill that sent Henderson to third.
Henderson tried to score on a wild pitch by Natera, but he was tagged out when the ball ricocheted off the bricks behind the plate and came right back to catcher Moisés Ballesteros, who flipped to pitcher Samy Natera Jr. to end the eighth. Henderson hesitated and then ran into another out.
“As soon as he stopped, he just has to stay,” Albernaz said. “We all know Gunnar is aggressive, making things happen. He sensed that we needed to get another run across, but if he trusted his first instinct, if he was going to go, go. But as soon as he stopped, you just have to get back. And he knows this ballpark better than anyone, and that’s something I know he would want to have back.”
How did Young throw? Young threw 98 pitches in his shortest start since May 17th.
“He threw way more pitches than he needed to,” Albernaz said. “B.Y., he grinded through it. More pitches than he needed to or should have thrown, but he kept us in it and gave us a chance.”
Young was not pleased.
“Just a frustrating outing overall. Made a lot of pitches there in the second, then just got back in the dugout there and was a little gassed,” he said. “Didn’t do a good job of landing offspeed early. Thought the heater was good.”
What does it mean? The Orioles begin a 10-game road trip to Texas, Minnesota and Tampa Bay on Friday night, and they’ll have to at least break even to have a chance at a wild-card slot.
What’s the stat of the day? 2. Hiraldo’s balk was just the second of the season for the Orioles. Before his balk, they were tied for the fewest in the majors.
What’s the word? “Left the two-seamer over the middle and he put a good swing on it. He’s a good hitter. I gotta be better.”-Young on Neto’s home run pitch.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Triple-A Norfolk shortstop Carter Young, a 17th-round draft pick in 2022, was released by the Orioles. Young hit .215 in five minor league seasons.
What’s next? The Orioles will play at Texas on Friday night. Shane Baz (4-10) will start against Nathan Eovaldi (10-9, 4.31) at 8:15 . The game will be televised exclusively on Peacock.
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