BALTIMORE—In the top of the 10th inning, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde decided to insert Chris Davis as a defensive replacement for Renato Nuñez at first base.
In a 2020 innovation, teams are given a runner on second base to start each extra inning, and that was key in the Orioles’ 8-7 loss, their third straight and fourth in the last five games to the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday night at Camden Yards.
The Orioles’ record is 12-11.
Travis Shaw began the Blue Jays’ 10th at second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was walked by Orioles reliever Cole Sulser. Danny Jansen advanced the runners with a sacrifice, and Lourdes Gurriel hit a smash on which Davis made a diving stop.
His throw home from a sitting position to catcher Pedro Severino was in plenty of time to nab Shaw, but it bounced and Severino failed to catch it. Davis was charged with an error.
“That was just a great play getting to the ball, and he was trying to make a game-saving play,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “No fault for that. Him catching the ball saved a run and just tried to make a great play, and it skipped up on Sevy, He threw it from his rear end. Give credit to CD for getting a tough ball down the line.”
In the bottom of the 10th, Dwight Smith Jr., who began the inning at second, was thrown out in a rundown between third and home after running through third base coach Jose Flores’ stop sign on Cedric Mullins’ one-out single. Bryan Holaday popped out to end the game.
“Disappointed that we didn’t score in the bottom half,” Hyde said. “We had an opportunity, and made a mistake. Tough loss.”
Anthony Santander, who has had a stellar run, hit a long two-run homer against Toronto rookie Nate Pearson in the first. It was his eighth. Santander has a career-high 13-game hitting streak.
“It’s been tough, for sure,” Santander said of the Orioles’ recent losses through a translator.
Randal Grichuk continues to torment the Orioles. He hit a two-run homer against Wade LeBlanc in the third. Grichuk, who also homered on Monday night, has four home runs this season and 14 in 32 games against the Orioles.
Santander lined a home run into the Orioles’ bullpen leading off the third, his second two-home run game in the last three days. He also added a double in the eighth, and an outfield assist with a fine throw to rub out Shaw at second when he tired to stretch a single leading off the seventh.
“Both of them were key,” Santander said of his hitting and his defense. “I also think that maybe the throw a little bit later on in the game, I think that was more important. I was able to get the guy out at second base and keep us [in the game.]”
The Orioles’ 3-2 lead lasted until the fifth when Toronto scored five runs.
Anthony Alford and Santiago Espina began the fifth with singles, and Travis Lakins replaced LeBlanc, who allowed five runs in four-plus innings. LeBlanc’s ERA is 7.89.
“Some balls went through the shift,” Hyde said. “It was a little bit of an unlucky outing. Them being primarily right-handed, their lineup, getting to the third time through, I felt like I wanted to try to stay in the game.
“We had the lead and we had the right-handed bullpen guys, and it just didn’t happen for us. Good job, nice job, just an unlucky inning there.”
Grichuk doubled to give Toronto a 4-3 lead, and Shaw’s home run, his third, put them ahead 7-3.
Chance Sisco hit a two-run home run in the fifth against Pearson. Renato Nuñez’s sacrifice fly scored Rio Ruiz, and the Orioles trailed, 7-6, after five.
In the seventh, the Orioles rallied with two outs against A.J. Cole. Nuñez had an infield single. Severino doubled. Smith Jr. was walked intentionally, and Hanser Alberto hit a smash to third and was safe at first, allowing Nuñez to score with the tying run.
Lineup changes: Alberto, who had started each of the Orioles’ first 21 games, was not in the starting lineup. He’d been hitless in his last nine at-bats, and struck out in five of them.
Hyde encouraged Alberto to arrive late at the ballpark, and he was the Orioles’ representative at the pregame meeting with the umpires.
Alberto, who had been the leadoff hitter in the previous 15 games, was replaced by Sisco, who was the designated hitter.
The Orioles haven’t had a catcher bat leadoff since Floyd Rayford on June 26, 1985.
Welcome back: Former Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph returned to Baltimore for the first time since he left the team after the 2018 season.
Joseph, who played with the Orioles from 2014-2018, had an eventful career and an engaging personality.
He’s on the Blue Jays’ taxi squad but hasn’t been activated. Because of Toronto’s unusual scheduling arrangement with “home” games in Buffalo, they’re allowed a taxi squad for all games.
Joseph is enjoying his time back in Baltimore but finds the changes since he left jarring.
“It is a bit unrecognizable,” Joseph said. “There are some pieces there that you know, the bones and the structure of the stadium, the clubhouse, the media. It’s like the bones are still there, but the blood is different. You’ve got [Alex] Cobb, and you’ve got [Chris] Davis, but it really is an odd sight looking at the game from that side, the third base side of the field, that was really hard. I’m so used to seeing it from the first base side.”
Joseph, who’s a devoted fan of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, has adopted a hockey custom after Blue Jays’ wins.
“Because we’re Canadian, we do three stars of the game,” Joseph said. “Working on my French so we can rival Montreal and all those incredible hockey towns.”
Coming up: The Orioles play their only scheduled weekday afternoon home game of the season on Wednesday when they face the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m.
The game was originally scheduled as a night game but was changed so Toronto could play a makeup doubleheader with Philadelphia on Thursday in Buffalo.
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Ugliest loss of the season. Echoes some of those bonehead fiascos of last season. Not a good sign. Bonehead baseball IQ has infected these O's recently. Easy to get on Severino not catching Davis' throw but he would have also had to tag him. Not a given. Less said about Smith Jr the better. Givens,Scott were lights out. Sulser for 2 innings? Not sure about that one Brandon. Oh those 2-0 counts. Alberto's 10th inning AB? Really? The advanced scouting has found a hole on his swing. Come on Hanser,patience--they're on to you.
I expected this team to produce another top three
Draft Pick next June in the Amateur Draft.
Doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case.
There are a lot of other disheveled teams in the game right now.
The downstream impact of the damage Commissioner Manfred and his merry band of crooked manipulators has caused is incalculable.
These base running blunders are killing us and costing us games !
Something as fundamental and easy as running the base paths correctly.
Are we going to let that crash us back to Earth or will our pitching finally give out ?
Smith Jr. Evidently he's the latest graduate of the Machado School of Baserunning. Had to laugh as I watched him wave/direct Mullins to take 2nd as he ran the pickle play. Get your head out Dwight. Sheeesh what a chowder head.
On an upper note .... how 'bout Cedric Mullins recent play? (go ahead ... I can take it ... let me hear it boys)
Smith Jr should not be on this club I’ve said that from day one. I just asked Rich that question on the previous post waiting for his reply.
Bruce, you are under the impression, which I have tried repeatedly to correct that it is my job to defend the Orioles' front office moves. It's my job to analyze them.
No, I don't know why Ryan Mountcastle isn't here and Dwight Smith is.
I am as intrigued about Mountcastle's abilites as everyone else is.
As for Smith, he like many other players on the club is a filler until something better comes along.
Rich,
Your site here is in my opinion the best daily, year-round Orioles Website. Your commentary is even and balanced. You also allow for pretty unfettered and free-flowing commentary from your readers. This we greatly appreciate and respect..
Thank you, Mr. Thompson.
I agree with BC's praise. But it would be more fun if Rich would occasionally unload fire and brimstone to call out the more dubious front office moves. E.g. not being able to come up with someone better than the latest roster addition--a guy who previously bounced around the minors for 9 years without ever making a major league roster. I know, I know: Elias can see talent where no one else can.
Professor Cohen, many of these players are fillers until the prospects are ready. Ramon Urias hasn’t played yet, and may not.
I've seen better "fillers" in rhubarb pies.
UGLY.....O’s came back strong but couldn’t close the deal. The error on Davis well think that should have gone on Severino plenty of time to make the catch it wasn’t short hopped. Smith everybody saw the stop sign except you; of course maybe you want to look at the coach.
Overall we fought to the end just came up short. Echo earlier calls where are Diaz and Mountcastle; although Mullins is looking better with the bat for one game anyway
The bench last night of Holoday , Urias , Davis and Smith I don’t consider viable hitters off the bench in a game like last night. Yes Mullins looked better last night but he is a fourth outfielder at best. Why aren’t other teams carrying utility infielders who can’t hit as outfield replacements, do more we really need Holoday isn’t two young catchers enough. Diaz almost made the team two springs ago but he’s the forgotten man along with Mountcastle but we bring up a guy from the Mexican league the next Fernando Valenzuela except he doesn’t pitch
If we plan to DH Sisco we do need a 3rd catcher. Should Severino get hurt in the game when Sisco is Dh’ing we’d have to sacrifice the DH slot to be able to move Sisco behind the plate.
Dwight Smith can certainly go though. We’ve seen what he has to offer. He’s an okay hitter who can’t play defense or run. He’ offers very little defensive versatility as well. That’s not going to cut it
Bruce, having Holaday means that Hyde can play both Severino and Sisco and not have to worry one will get hurt. Please move on from Diaz for now. He has yet to play Triple-A ball, and the lack of a minor league season hurts him more than most. He did not almost make the team in 2019. He was sent down relatively early in spring training.
I agree with you on Smith I’ve said from day one that until they bring up Mountcastle and Diaz that Williams is a better option then Smith but I was laughed at
I don't remember anybody laughing at you BHoff....your point is well taken by most of us. The problem with Williams is that he's not on the 40 man roster, and the O's don't want to cut anyone. Me ... I'm with you .. I can't understand why they don't cut Smith Jr for Williams. I think most around here are on board with you as well. Unfortunately, "we" aren't named Elias.
Mountcastle for Smith makes the most sense. Then if they’d prefer to have another true outfielder for the 28 man roster. Optioning Urias and Calling up Mason or McKenna makes much more sense. Dwight Smith can play 1 outfield slot poorly. McKenna and Williams give you a true CF to use as a 4th OF/platoon partner with Mullins til Hays is back.
That’s the option that might realistically Happen. Because getting rid of Davis makes the most sense. Dwight could still be a pinch hit option off the bench. Davis is nothing but a defensive replacement.
Please move on from Mason Williams, Bruce. Cedric Mullins is a far better player than he is.
Thank you Williams does everything better then Smith but I assume since Elias went with him he wants to try and save face. Did we really need Urias called up yesterday. I much rather have seen Willams or in my dreams Mountcastle in the tenth last night. This is the last time I will
say this Williams year at Norfolk last year was just about equally as good as Mountcastle and Santlander the year before. I watched him closely in spring this year. His bat is quick , he has a good eye and plays all three outfield positions well. Yet Elias went with Smith a terrible defender, terrible runner and terrible arm and Williams just turned 29, heck Holoday is 33 so he’s not ancient.
AZ, I don't know how there would be enough playing time for now to judge Santander, Diaz, Mountcastle and Hays--when he's healthy. Diaz hasn't played at Triple-A at all, and I think the absence of a minor league season sets him back more than others.
Thanks, Rich, for the interview with Caleb. A touch of humanity in tough times. Hard to do anything but like the guy.
I'll 2nd that thought Rich. Nice to hear Joseph's take on being back in town and OPACY. Sounds as though Caleb honestly misses the city and team in general, but more likely, his old teammates. Although not nearly as close to home, I think I can speak for a lot of fans that can say we miss that crew as well. Time and life march on.
As difficult as this rebuild has been I do not miss many of the recent players that have been a part of the Orioles.
Guys like;
- Machado
- Schoop
- Jones (that's right--I said it...)
- Wieters
- Gausman, and
- Bundy
Except for Adam Jones, none of them really gave me the impression that they cared much about winning.
I do miss Caleb Joseph though... he was a competitor and a great fan favorite.
He would be a great addition to the team's Broadcasting Crew when his playing days are over...
Castaway, all of them cared intensely about winning. Many fans like to see outward emotion, and some of them didn't show that, but I know how much each cared about winning.
I know Caleb is interested in broadcasting once his career on the field is over, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him pursue it.
Wow ... kinda rough on the boys aren't you? I'm not sure what makes you say they didn't care about winning? Although primadonna Machado was a me 1st kind, I always thought the rest of them played hard, as a unit and with joy. Your thoughts on Jones border out right blasphemy. They brought us within one freakishly red-hot Royal relieving corps of the World Series despite being handcuffed by the Angelos family. Not bad in my opinion.
But hey, everyone has their opinion and we have to respect that and I can respect yours. (even though you forgot JJ)
BTW....ANYBODY would be an improvement to, and over, the current broadcasting crew. These 2 are so bad that I almost miss Bordick!
Boog, I was thinking the same thing. I’m sure you’ve caught the Nats broadcast crew—I’ve always thought they were the worst in baseball. Now we’re right on par. Missing Gary Thorne a ton.
Thank you, Will. Caleb has always been one of my favorites.
Another case of fighting all they back & shooting themselves in the foot...frustrating, but at least they aren’t quitting...go O’s...
I wish the same could be said of the front office.
Yep...100%...go O’s...
I'm really curious. Why did Hyde want Alberto to come to the park late? Is he so intense that Hyde needed him to take it down a bit? Is he a baseball equivalent of a "gym rat"?
People can say, it's only a 60-game seaosn, but with the protocols that players are going through, it's a mentally taxing season just as 2020 has been mentally taxing for most of us.
Your entitled to your opinion Rich I do think it clouded by your position as a staff writer I do not agree but respect it. As for Smith if you think he more valuable and can do more things better then Williams until Mountcastle and Diaz are ready then I know nothing at all about baseball and I’m older the you and have seen a lot more baseball then most .
What do you mean by writing that my opinion is "clouded by your position as a staff writer?"
What’s the chance the orioles go out and make a deal for a starting pitcher and give away some of our so called prized players. Cleveland has a pitcher waiting to be had
I hope the chances are zero. We're developing a couple/several bats which in 2 years, will go nicely with the good young arms that are currently at the lower levels. I want to win now as much as anybody, but lets face it, this team isn't ready to go far. Don't sell the farm now.
Yep. We definitely aren’t in the trading prospects for players stage. I would imagine most of us thought this orioles team would be really bad this year. It’s been a pleasant surprise to not be that way but it’s far too early to consider pushing the chips in
Rich, thanks for the comments from Caleb. He will never be a hall of famer, but he was a fan favorite.
Thank you, John.
Midway through today’s game, Mullins average up to .240 – too soon to give up on him … on the other hand, not too soon to give up on Crush – 2 more strikeouts so far today, BA at .128.
Ugly update: CD struck out 3 times and went hitless in 4 ABs, dropping his BA to .122. That's less than one-half of Mullins' current BA. CD's deterioration is about to hit the point of being too painful to watch. BTW, Mullins' annual (near MLB minimum) salary is equivalent to about twelve (12) DAYS of Crush's salary.
Gleyber Torres has nothing on Grichuk.
Except when he plays the O’s...go O’s...