NEW YORK—The Orioles offensive challenges have been on display for the past two nights at Yankee Stadium. In the first two games of the three-game series, the Orioles have struck out 27 times. They were nearly shut out for the second straight night.
The Orioles’ 7-2 loss to New York before 9,404 on Tuesday night was their 12th straight at Yankee Stadium, a franchise record. In their last six games here, the Orioles have had just 27 baserunners, scored five times and struck out 65 times.
On Tuesday night, they were no match for Gerrit Cole, who struck out 13 Orioles without walking a batter in seven innings. He has a 1.36 ERA in six starts against the Orioles.
The Orioles have struck out 60 times in five games. Their two runs came with two outs in the ninth inning on an infield single by Ryan Mountcastle and a two-run homer by Rio Ruiz, the team’s first.
“I just thought we faced Gerrit Cole tonight on a good night for Gerrit Cole,” manager Brandon Hyde said in response to a question about the team’s strikeout ratio. “Give him credit. He’s really tough to hit. You saw us leave the strike zone too much, premeditated swings at times where he were chasing breaking balls down, but he is throwing 100 miles an hour on top, so it’s not easy.
“Facing Jordan Montgomery last night, he was tough. Playing the teams that we play, we’re going to face elite pitching, and it’s something our guys are going to have to adapt to, and we’ll pull through.”
In his first start of the season, Dean Kremer escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first by striking out the side but didn’t record an out in the fourth inning and walked four.
In the first, D.J. LeMahieu singled to lead off. Aaron Judge lined a ball off Kremer’s hamstring, and reached first. Kremer stayed in and walked Brett Gardner.
“It tightened up pretty quick,” Kremer said. “But then as I continued to move around, it loosened up and, mentally, I was fine, I kept going.”
Kremer showed his toughness when he struck out Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres and Clint Frazier to end the first.
Jay Bruce homered to start the second against Kremer. He allowed two-out singles to Stanton and Torres in the third, but New York didn’t score. In the fourth, Kremer walked Bruce, Gio Urshela and Kyle Higashioka before Hyde had seen enough.
“Dean pitched well. In the fourth inning, he ran out of gas,” Hyde said. “He threw a lot of pitches those first few innings. Tough time commanding the baseball in the fourth.”
Kremer allowed three runs on five hits in three-plus, with the four walks and five strikeouts.
“I got away from my game plan and started to try to place things and be too perfect,” Kremer said. “I went away from attacking the zone.”
Adam Plutko, who was excellent in rescuing starter Matt Harvey on Saturday, limited the damage. Bruce scored on LeMahieu’s double play grounder and Judge’s single scored Urshela. Plutko retired his final seven batters.
The Orioles, who are 3-2 after sweeping Boston in the opening series, had their best chance to take a lead in the first when cenerfielder Cedric Mullins led off with a single, stole second, advanced to third on Cole’s wild pitch but was thrown out at the plate when he ran on contact on Anthony Santander’s ground ball to first. Bruce threw home to nab Mullins.
Cole retired the last 12 Orioles before Chad Green came in for the eighth. Each Oriole but Makiel Franco struck out against Cole.
“He’s really difficult,” Franco said. “At the end of the day, you have to make adjustments and try to find the barrel because you hit it off the end of the bat, it’s going to hurt your fingers.”
Tyler Wells gave up New York’s final run in the seventh on an RBI double by Stanton.
Judge hit a 432-foot home run, his second, against Wade LeBlanc in the eighth to make it 7-0.
Green pitched a spotless eighth, and Lucas Luetge nearly had one in the ninth. With two outs, Mountcastle was safe on an infield single to shortstop, which was reviewed on replay. Yankees manager Aaron Boone didn’t think Mountcastle beat the throw. Ruiz followed with the Orioles’ first home run in five games.
Notes: The Orioles are 3-25 against New York since April 4, 2019. … Mullins is the third Oriole hitter with at least 11 hits over his first five games. Adam Jones (12 in 2013) and Eddie Murray (12 in 1982) are the others.
Opening Day: The home opener is Thursday, and the Orioles face the Boston Red Sox at 3:05 p.m. Gates open at 2:05 p.m. Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott and former Boston mayor Marty Walsh, who’s now Secretary of Labor, will throw out the first pitches. The National Anthem will be performed by Zadia.
“Can’t wait for it,” Hyde said. “Everybody’s looking forward to it. Guys were talking about it in the clubhouse. Can’t wait to go home, see fans in the seats at Camden Yards. It was two months last year of nobody there and hearing ourselves in the dugout, hearing the other dugout, and to hear a buzz in the crowd and here fans cheer for our guys, everybody’s very excited for that day.”
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Severino is looking rough receiving pitches behind the plate. Whatever happened to Austin Wynns?
Pretty sure Wynns caught the first two games of the season vs Boston...
Is that a joke
Wow Rich that's an alarming stat---60 Ks in 5 games. No wonder they've hit only 1 HR--they don't hit the ball. Hyde concerned about hitters swinging out of the zone. Hate to say it but the worst culprit is Mancini. He looks really "rusty". Thought Kremer did better until I read your breakdown Rich. Impressive 1st inning comeback for him but struggled from then on out. Granted this Yankee lineup will never help you out by swinging carelessly but have to wonder if a catcher pitcher relationship issue is a part of the concern. My question of the day---why have the O's stuck with Severino/Sisco for so long while they wait for Rutchsman? There are so many veteran fringe catchers with decent resumes' out their that could have passed through.
Actually, Orial, perhaps Austin Wynns might be an improvement, and they did sign another veteran, Nick Ciuffo over the winter.
It wasn’t a position of priority because they know Rutschman is coming, and the better free agents know that and have more attractive options elsewhere.
It should be a priority until Adley arrives if we want to calm our young pitchers. Severino is a bum and Sisco has just lost confidence or is another Oriole that was mishandled here and will have a career somewhere else. Either way they both stink and until Adley arrives which should be yesterday they need a capable catcher and why did they give Severino that nice contract this season ?
Is that a joke?
Bruce, it was somewhat of a surprise that they settled with Severino so early. They were hoping that he’d work well with the young pitchers until Adley arrived. It hasn’t happened.
Hey Rich, which young pitcher's has Severino not worked well with? Just curious...
Jordan Montgomery, elite, guys excited about fans at OPACY, get it, a little, might want to focus on playing the Yankees...dismal first two games, start a new run of wins today...go O’s...
The O’s at Yankees stadium is like me as a 12 year old when because of my skills they promoted me to the next level of 14 year olds. I was totally intimidated and froze
:)...go O’s...
I’m pretty sure he didn’t.
Dang! Did I get that wrong? My apologies!!! Who did catch those first two games for the Orioles then?
Severino. Wynns is on the taxi squad.
He’s playing with you Rich...go O’s...
And I agree Rich Austin Wynns will be a improvement. He’s decent defensively seems smart in handling pitchers . He won’t hit much but will get his bat on the ball something Sisco can’t do anymore
I, BrooksPJs, having recently come over to the Dark Side (they have cookies), do pledge to uphold the following unassailable truths as put forth by the BB community concerning Pedro Severino:
1. Anything positive Pedro has done is do to either a superior Orioles pitcher who can overcome Pedro’s shortcomings behind the plate or to Pedro having bribed opposing pitchers or umpires while batting;
2. Anything negative that occurs to the Orioles is 100% due to Pedro’s presence, whether he be on the field or even in the dugout; walk? Pedro’s fault; home run allowed by O’s pitcher? Pedro’s fault; Hays’ hamstring injury? Pedro’s fault; Orioles have struck out 60 times in 5 games so far? Yup, Pedro’s fault too;
3. Any living sentient being would be an improvement over Pedro – no evidence needs to be provided; he or it isn’t Pedro and that’s good enough;
4. Pedro is also the culprit behind COVID, Climate Change, and social unrest in America; yea verily!!!
5. The Pedro Collorary – Our Coming Catcher Savior (Adley) is Ready to Go Dagnabit! Any spot of bother noticed in Adley’s performance thus far has been obviously due to Adley being in proximity of Pedro Severino.
Pedro Catcher Bad!!!
Well done, BrooksPJs! As bad as Pedro has been behind the plate, folks just can't accept that Sisco is worse.
Give it a rest PJ, the guy is a dud
Keep the faith
Nope, won't give it a rest. Present your case otherwise your post is like saying the sky is green...
Glad you noticed the sky's changing color; it's caused by climate change caused by Pedro.:)
Interesting tidbit about Pedro catching Kremer in 2020 - Pedro caught Kremer twice in 2020
9/12 NYY 5 IP 1 ER
9/17 TB 5 IP 1 ER
But remember - Pedro Catcher Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad!
Cisco caught Kremer 9/23 BOS 2.2 IP 7 ER
My gosh, when will Adley arrive and lead us to the promise land??? He is ready by golly!!!
Last tidbit of data today - Pedro catching Akin's starts vs Sisco catching Akin's starts in 2020
Pedro caught 4 of Akin's starts in 2020 during which Akin had a 0.96 ERA
Sisco caught 2 of Akin's starts in 2020 during which Akin had a 19.62 ERA
But remember, Pedro doesn't work well with the young pitchers because Kremer let up 3 ER in 3 IP yesterday. Roger that! Pedro Catcher Bad!!!!
FYI, after hrs of looking at numbers, I think I’ve found the only ones pertinent at this point, Adley Rutschman, #1 overall pick 2019 draft, Pedro Severino waiver claim 2019...go O’s...
Just wondering did our starters get enough innings work in spring training to pitch deeper in regular season? Plutko looked good for second outing. Cole was unbeatable last night.
That’s right, beachdogs. Give Elias credit (only two appearances at least)
Two appearances for Plutko, but he seems as expected. I saw 93 on the radar gun and he seems pretty unflappable out there. Slightly above average skill set, decent movement on the ball, basic wind up and delivery. A guy to eat innings. Thus far a good choice.
Beachdogs in the house!!!!
Glad we can blame all the O’s problems on one man and only one man can save us. If only life and baseball were so simple. Sounds like politics. Go O’s!
Lol, fair amount of politics in baseball, the ugly side...go O’s...
You’re not talking about Mikey are you?...go O’s...
Here is the simple reality, in my humble opinion, that we O’s fans find ourselves in right now. Again, this is my opinion. There is not a player right now that the Yanks would trade their starter even up to the O’s for the player at the same position, with the possible exception of 1st base and LF. They’re better at every position, starting pitching and the bullpen. The O’s have a lot of young, yet unproven, talent that could close that gap if they continue their development, especially starting pitching. The Rays and Jays also have a ton of young talent, some on the team now and others knocking on the door. It’s gonna be a long uphill climb but I’m excited about it. Fingers crossed that when the O’s become truly competitive they can keep the team in tact, although that’s virtually impossible now. Time will tell, and I’m not getting any younger.
Kudos to Mountcastle for hustling out a routine groundout at the end of the game. That hustle led to Rio’s homerun. It’s a footnote in a blowout loss and won’t go into the stat book as much more than a hit, but that was a pure hustle play down 7 runs with seemingly nothing to play for. That speaks to his character. Glad he’s a part of this team and I hope that sets an example for others to play just as hard.
Good observation. He’s a keeper. The process continues.
2 thumbs up...go O’s...
I had tuned out by that point, but that is GREAT to hear and thank you for bringing it up for those of us who missed it. That’s the kind of small positive thing that keeps you going as a fan of a struggling team - appreciate it.
You're spot on!!! Mount castle's hustle and Aaron Boones reaction made the game worth watching.
Shamus was first up this morning ! !
The Yanks overpay for their players, but they win. Like consistently. They also have great scouting and seem to know who to draft, who to buy, and how to develop players. Oh yeah, and they have mountains of Shekels. It’s tough to go up against that - tip your cap to them and continue to play hard.
I love the example of Mountcastle’s hustle. Thanks to barstool for sharing that. Attitude plus aptitude, man - love that guy. He’s a keeper.
We are in the painful process of going from basement dwelling ineptitude to confronting the reality of starting from scratch, essentially.
I sense excitement building and am glad to be a part of this little community.
And no, I haven’t been drinking and don’t need a tissue either :)
:)...go O’s...