FREE ARTICLE
The Orioles ended their 20-game road losing streak with a four-run eighth and an extra-inning run that scored without a hit.
Pat Valaika’s bases-loaded walk scored Trey Mancini in the top of the 10th, and the Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-5, at Sahlen Field in Buffalo on Friday night.
Mancini was the automatic runner to begin the 10th. Ryan Mountcastle popped out to second. Trent Thornton (1-3) walked Anthony Santander. Mancini moved to third on an Austin Hays forceout. Hays was jammed on an inside pitch and beat the relay throw to first to avoid a double play.
Maikel Franco walked to load the bases, and Valaika walked to give the Orioles the 6-5 lead.
Paul Fry (1-2) pitched a perfect ninth for the win. Cole Sulser picked up his second save with a strong 10th.
“We’re partying like we won a wild-card game,” manager Brandon Hyde said jokingly. “Rightfully so. We haven’t had much to celebrate lately.”
The win was the first on the road since John Means pitched a no-hitter on May 5th in Seattle. It also ended a six-game losing streak that began last Saturday when Fry and Tyler Wells gave up six runs to the Blue Jays to blow a 7-4 Orioles lead.
“It’s important for us to try to keep our morale up during times like this,” centerfielder Cedric Mullins said. “We know we have a talented group of guys. It’s just a matter of putting everything together, and we were able to do a little bit of everything today and come out with a win.”
Marcus Semien was the automatic runner in the 10th for Toronto (38-36). Bo Bichette walked. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit into a double play, and Sulser struck out Teoscar Hernandez.
“These guys have been busting, and it’s been really, really hard,” Hyde said. “Everybody knew that we were losing a ton of games on the road and having a tough couple of months. For us to win in that kind of fashion, it means a lot to our guys. It’s fun to see smiles on their faces again.”
It appeared the Orioles were headed for another loss until a four-run eighth that tied the score at 5. Mountcastle and Santander had run-scoring singles and Hays hit a two-run double to tie the game. It was the kind of rally the Orioles have been lacking, and it followed a solid start by Matt Harvey.
Harvey, who hasn’t won in his last 10 starts, allowed three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings in his strongest start since May 1st. He walked one and struck out two.
“Winning major league games are a lot of fun, especially where we’ve been at on the road the last 20 games. It’s been frustrating,” Harvey said. “We’ll definitely remember what winning is like again and get back out there tomorrow and try and keep that streak going.”
George Springer hit his third home run in the second, and the Orioles (24-52) tied the score at 1 when catcher Pedro Severino scored on shortstop Freddy Galvis’ double play in the third.
Guerrero slammed his 25th home run in the fourth, his second in as many nights, to put Toronto (39-35) ahead, 2-1.
The Blue Jays took a 3-1 lead in the fourth when Randal Grichuk tripled with two outs and scored on Lourdes Gurriel’s single.
“He was making quality pitches,” Hyde said of Harvey. “This is a very, very difficult lineup. A big smile on his face, too.”
Alek Manoah who was ejected from last Saturday’s game for hitting Franco with a pitch after back-to-back home runs by Mountcastle and DJ Stewart, allowed one run on four hits in six innings, walking two and striking out six.
Manoah was suspended for five games, but he’s appealing the suspension.
In the seventh, Dillon Tate gave up two runs when Gurriel and Reese McGuire began the inning with singles. Severino’s seventh passed ball of the season allowed Gurriel to move to third. It brought the infield in, and both scored on Semien’s double.
Tim Mayza pitched a spotless seventh. In the eighth, Tyler Chatwood walked Mullins and Galvis. Mancini struck out and a single by Mountcastle scored Mullins.
Tayler Saucedo replaced Chatwood and gave up a single to Santander that scored Galvis.
Hays’ double scored Mountcastle and Santander to tie the score at 5.
“Hays came up big in that situation for us,” Mullins said. “I know he’s had some struggles, but he’s been working his tail off to get his swing the way he wants it to be, and it showed today.”
Notes: John Means bobbleheads will be given to the first 15,000 fans 15 and over on August 21st. … Keegan Akin (0-3, 6.42 ERA) will face Hyun Jin Ryu (6-4, 3.25) on Saturday at 3:07 p.m.
Minor Matters: Kyle Bradish struck out 10 in five innings in Triple-A Norfolk’s 6-2 win over Gwinnett. Bradish allowed two runs on three hits and walked three.
Rightfielder Yusniel Diaz had three hits, including his second home run. Centerfielder Ryan McKenna hit a leadoff homer, his sixth, and second baseman Ramón Urias drove in three runs. Urias had a two-run homer, his fourth.
Mike Baumann gave up seven runs, six earned, on three hits in 2 1/3 innings as Double-A Bowie lost to New Hampshire, 10-8. It was their seventh straight loss. Baumann (0-2) has an 8.64 ERA in six starts for the Baysox.
Designated hitter Kyle Stowers had a three-run home run, his first since joining Bowie on Tuesday. First baseman Patrick Dorrian had a two-run homer, and third baseman Toby Welk also homered.
Drew Rom allowed one run on five hits in six innings in High-A Aberdeen’s 3-2 loss to Rome. The IrionBirds were held to two hits.
TT Bowens hit a three-run home run in the first inning, leading Low-A Delmarva to a 6-3 win over Fredericksburg. Bowens, a first baseman who signed with the Orioles as an unsigned free agent last summer, hit his fourth home run and drove in a fourth run in the second inning on a bases-loaded walk.
Ryan Watson (3-1) pitched five scoreless innings in relief. He allowed four hits and struck out seven without walking a batter.
Right-hander Tyler Joyner was transferred from Bowie to Norfolk. Right-handers Xavier Moore and Shelton Perkins have been promoted from Delmarva to Aberdeen.
Heston Kjerstad hit a 12th inning grand slam to give Triple-A Norfolk a 5-3 win…
Between 2012 and 2016, Steve Pearce had four stints as an Orioles' outfielder and even…
What happened? Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez hadn't pitched since April 29th because of right shoulder…
Brooks Robinson was simply the most beloved Oriole of all time. He was an 18-time…
One of the oldest clichés in baseball is that you can’t ever have too much…
The Orioles reinstated right-hander Grayson Rodriguez from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday's game…
View Comments
"Joy in Mudville". Gutsy performance by Harvey. A veteran,a pitcher not a thrower. Knows he doesn't have what he once had and works with what he has. His performances are a crap-shoot at this point. If Franco wasn't such a complacent,hesitant 3rd baseman Harvey's numbers would have looked that much better. Opinion time-don't see O's pitchers throwing sweeping curves/sliders low and away(in the dirt). Thinking it's Severino's hesitancy to call those pitches because of his flaws. Was I the only one who was shocked at Sulser coming in to close it out? He's developed a strikeout pitch. I think we're witnessing Mancini's mid-season swoon. Nice numbers from Bradish,Diaz at AAA. Tate may be the next to head to AAA. Nice win.
The Baysox have lost seven in a row? I guess Genius1 is doing a rebuild there too.
It’s not just that they lost, it’s how they lost. In the last six games they’ve given up 60 runs, 65 hits and 47 walks. I’d hate to think of how bad that would be if Rodriguez hadn’t pitched in one of those games (he gave up 2 runs on 2 homers and only walked 1 in 5 innings). Right now they make the O’s look good... and they are supposed to be our future... Just saying...
AND............still in 1st Place after all that ! Bowie will be fine. It's the other "B" you should be worried about.
So what’s up with Buck Britton. You GM wannabes are so fickle
Nothing, he’s managing a team in first place, go Buck & go O’s...
: ) Go Birds
Although it worked in our favor last night, I'm not really into the runner on 2nd to start extra innings. I feels contrived.
With you on that
Wow! Fun times. How's about the Harvey fella? I was about ready to give up on him. (OK..I already had)
Sooooo.....I hope the rest of y'all stayed tuned in until the end of the game. I have to admit I've been tuning them out a bit early as of late, but I'm glad I didn't last night. Fun way to win a game. Was nice to see the heart of the lineup contribute the way they're supposed to. Have to admit that we got a bit lucky with ground balls up the middle by Santander & Mountcastle in the eigth, but who are we to look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth? And finally the other team's relievers implode. It felt as though the baseball gods were evening things out as they always do in the breaks department.
And Valaika? Am I allowed to say he's got that clutch gene when he walked in the winning run? Dunno, but I remember him having rather timely hits last year. Maybe why I like him so much ... dunno ... but does a walk qualify as clutch?
Fun game, fun game, fun game. Type that keeps you coming back.
Now of course for all Elias apologists out there ... looks like we lost another game in the standings to the DBacks. Too bad.
Harvey didn’t pitch that bad. Tate is looking bad. I guess that’s another Dan duquette trade where we got nothing. Seems to be a common theme there. They only guys who have done anything out of the trades he completed has been Zimmermann.
Yes, Duquette's several 2017-2018 fire sale trades pretty much looking like flops, so far ... Elias' one major trade (Bundy) looking more promising.
I’ve said multiple times since Tate has come off the IL, he looks bad, inherited runs ugly...he seems to fit right in...lol...go O’s...
I am glad we won the game but really Severino and Franco did their utmost best to continue the streak, they both have to go. Harvey deserved a win but at least he lasted past the third
Keep the faith
Partying like you won a wild card game ? Really that right there might be the problem . Low expectations I’m shocked Hyde let this go on . I’d have shut that down right away tell them your supposed to win and your supposed to win at least 81 times a year .
I thought Harvey was good the first homer was not that bad of a pitch .
I’ve been mulling this around for two weeks how is the pitching being affected by the bad defense ? Range at second and third is limited at best and frankly even routine plays there are an adventure. Catching well I don’t think there is much doubt about that dumpster fire . I
think at some point to get an accurate read on your pitching you’ve got to put a better than average defense out there .
I’d like to see Elias commit to Galvis for another year as a start .
Galvis? IMO, he's average at very best at SS. But I do agree,he probably needs to be extended for another year. But then again, I'm not sure he'd want to stay on this team if he had other options? Who would at this point?
Trade him
I’d be ok with trading him, he needs a haircut...I’m old...go O’s...
That’s not his hair
Scary, what is it then? Medusa or the Predator...lol...go O’s...
Great win, but I suspect the Blue Jays and Orioles switched uniforms after the seventh inning. Good to see us take advantage of the opposition's ineptitude for a change. Anyone know why Harvey wasn't allowed to finish the sixth inning?
Harvey threw 92 pitches, which equaled his season high.
Galvis gets $500k if traded. He only looks good because his defense is not embarrassing, not a great standard. Elias' biggest failing has been unwillingness to put solid defenders on the field. So, if Galvis not retained, O's will have no marginally capable IFs and a 4th OF (Stewart) who can't field, but plays because O's have 2 OFs who can't stay healthy enough to play. A catcher who can't catch, but is played to try to generate interest from a desperate team to get a Lotto ticket back. Pitchers need a strong defense to be successful.
Right on Phil. Diaz should be called up he can run, hit and play defense he just has the Hays injury bug
More important than a good defense, pitchers need strong arms and good control to be successful. Neither are in abundance in this pitching staff.
You hit it right on the nose, Phil. That’s where it all starts. It’s impossible to completely judge the pitchers if there is a shoddy defense. Their confidence seems shot.
Next move, McKenna for Stewart and go from there.
Have to agree, Stewart is a fish out of water in the outfield,.why is Hays playing right when he does much better in left. I also was critical of the pitching but the more I see the team on TV It's all too obvious the defence is ghastly. Overall Elias has done a first-class job of creating not only a losing team but one that makes the fan base leery of any near term improvement. Grrr
Keep the faith
My guess is that Hays is in right because of his arm.
Hays has a good arm, tis true. But wait, so does Santander. But wait, he’s not hitting and has a continually sore ankle.
Hey what about Diaz? Bring the youngens up! Hmm, but wait, Diaz needs more seasoning, or, no, wait he’s recuperating from an injury, or…..
Oh my. It’s gonna be a long summer.
I think we've seen enough to completely judge this pitching staff.
Ok you analyticalholics, the bottom third of our lineup is, usually, abysmal offensively. Can anyone out there find out how we compare to other mlb teams in this regard? I realize that singles and base on balls aren’t the “in thing” these days but getting a few guys on the bags for poor Cedrick to drive in would be nice.
OPS by batting order MLB vs Orioles (pitchers hitting excluded)
1-3 0.769 vs 0.789
4-6 0.744 vs 0.720
7-9 0.652 vs 0.574
Happy for the opportunity to earn my daily analytics badge of helpfulness today...
Diaz should be called up
soon before he pulls a hamstring.
So he can pull a hammy at Camden. Brilliant.
Catcher comparison for June 2021:
Team record 2-7 in games started by Wynns (0.222 win pct); runs allowed - 3, 5, 14, 5, 7, 7, 10, 10, 13 (average 8.22)
Severino: 5-8 (0.385 win pct); runs allowed - 4, 1, 10, 3, 4, 4, 8, 1, 7, 10, 3, 9, 5 (average 5.31)
And Sisco is on a team in first place...go O’s...
Ray, Chance Sisco is on Syracuse, which is in last place with a record of 12-33.
40 man squad for a first place team...go O’s...
Why do we keep catching Pedro as main catcher and will be assured of ball getting past him?
I think it's for the gamblers. There's an over/under on which number pitch is the first passed ball.
For the laughs.
The Ironbirds have been gutted, and haven't had adequate call ups from delmarva. Welk, Stowers, Rizer, Rodriguez, & Brnovich are sorely missed. Hopefully Henderson comes around.
Good stuff M>J.
Our team OBP, I believe, is 3rd lowest in mlb this year compared to middle of the pack last season. And that includes the stellar play of Mullins this year. Our 7-9 players, and often #6, are just not getting on base enough. Home runs from guys like Stewart are fools gold.
Out walking the dog and checked phone for updates and sure enough Jays scored 4 runs in 3rd after 2 were out and no one on base. This has happened WAY too much recently. By recently, I guess I mean the last few years.
Stop walking the dog during the games
In my defense I thought it was a night game. I was actually checking my phone for scores of other games when I saw it was already 4-0 in 4th.
Ok, ALL 12 runs the Jays have scored have come after 2 were out. ALL 12!!!!
This team is beyond pathetic, and I was a fan willing to give Elias a shot.
MLB openly condoning fielding a team not worthy of AAA status is beyond reproach
TiLe, MLB is doing all kinds of weird things the past few years with that clown named Manfred at the helm. Pitchers are taking their pants off on the mound for goodness sake and manfred said it was a good week lol