BALTIMORE—Matt Harvey hasn’t won a game since May 1st and, in the 12 starts since then, he has completed five innings just once.
Harvey is the most experienced starter in a rotation that also includes Keegan Akin, Thomas Eshelman, Jorge López and Spenser Watkins. For now, he’ll remain in that rotation.
On Wednesday night, Harvey made his final start before the All-Star break. It was another tough one as the Toronto Blue Jays touched him for nine hits in 3 2/3 innings in a 10-2 Orioles loss before an announced crowd of 7,457 at Oriole Park.
Harvey’s night began with some controversy. Marcus Semien walked, and Bo Bichette singled him to second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lined to left, and Ryan McKenna tried to make a diving catch. The Orioles thought Semien was out at second when he didn’t get back to the base in time.
Instead, after a replay review, Guerrero was awarded a single and an RBI, and Semien was allowed to score.
Randal Grichuk’s force play scored Bichette, and Cavan Biggio’s double scored Guerrero. The Orioles were quickly down, 3-0.
Manager Brandon Hyde thought the Orioles should have turned a double play on Grichuk’s grounder.
“We don’t play our best defense behind him [Harvey], and that tends to hurt,” Hyde said. “I think it was a tough night, but there’s a long first inning. I thought we gave away a couple of outs to get him out of that first inning, to only allow one run.”
In the fourth, Harvey (3-10) gave up three more runs on RBI singles by Lourdes Gurriel, Bichette and Guerrero. In 3 2/3 innings, he allowed six runs on nine hits. His ERA is 7.70.
“They just kind of singled me to death,” Harvey said. “It was one of those starts where I left the ball over the middle a little bit, and they put the ball in play, and it happened to be where we weren’t playing.
“Obviously, frustrated. It’s been a rough first half. I’ve just got to hit the reset button. I think the break is going to help. I think a lot of us are banged up and tired and definitely need the rest and time off.”
Harvey won three straight games at one point, but since then he’s 0-9 with three no-decisions.
“It’s been good at times, and it’s been really bad at times,” Harvey said. “Really finding out what’s been causing those bad times, bad innings. It’s like, I go out, I have two, three good innings, four good innings, and then things pretty much all year have imploded.
“That’s something I’ll work for in the second half, try to just be more consistent throughout each start. With that time off, you can really look at what’s causing those last few things, whether it’s being a little tired or just get off your game plan a little bit. You’ve got to keep pushing through and figure out how to minimize the damage of bad innings.”
Hyde doesn’t have options with starting pitchers John Means and Bruce Zimmermann on the 10-day injured list. Means is expected back after the All-Star break. Zimmermann might not be back until the end of the month.
“Matt’s grinding right now,” Hyde said. “He didn’t pitch much last year at all. He’s going to get some time off to recharge. I think that’s important that he gets some time to rest because he’s really toed the rubber for us this entire first half. There’s probably some fatigue in there as well.”
Biggio’s sacrifice fly scored Teoscar Hernández with Adam Plutko pitching in the fifth.
The Orioles (28-58) scored a run against Hyun Jin Ryun (8-5) in the fifth. Domingo Leyba, Austin Wynns and Cedric Mullins began the inning with singles. Leyba scored on Austin Hays’ fly to deep center, but Wynns was thrown out at the plate to end the inning when he tried to score on Trey Mancini’s fly to right.
Ryu beat the Orioles for the third time since June 20th. In those three starts, Toronto (44-40) has scored 26 runs.
César Valdez gve up a two-run home run to Bichette, his 16th, in the top of the sixth to make it 9-1.
Zac Lowther allowed a run on an RBI double by Hernández in the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI single scored Hays.
Kelvin Gutierrez, who was called up by the Orioles before the game after Maikel Franco was placed on the 10-day injured list, became the 46th player used by the team this season when he played the ninth inning at third base. He walked in his only at-bat.
Notes: Trey Mancini will face off against Oakland’s Matt Olson in the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday. The other contestants will be the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, Texas’ Joey Gallo, Los Angeles’ Shohei Otani, Kansas City’s Salvador Perez, Washington’s Juan Soto and Colorado’s Trevor Story. … Keegan Akin (0-4, 7.46 ERA) will face Alek Manoah (2-0, 2.70) on Thursday night. For the final three games before the All-Star break, the Orioles play the Chicago White Sox. On Friday, Jorge López (2-11, 6.02) will face Dallas Keuchel (6-3, 4.48). Thomas Eshelman (0-1, 7.16) will face Lucas Giolito (6-6, 4.20) on Saturday, Spenser Watkins (1-0, 1.50) will face Dylan Cease (7-4. 4.14) on Sunday. Saturday’s game will begin at 4:05 p.m. … According to STATS, Watkins’ win on Tuesday night was the first by an Oriole starter in 24 games, setting a club record. … The Orioles allowed 10 or more runs for the 13th time this season. … Mancini will face off against Oakland’s Matt Olson in the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday. The other contestants will be the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, Texas’ Joey Gallo, Los Angeles’ Shohei Otani, Kansas City’s Salvador Perez, Washington’s Juan Soto and Colorado’s Trevor Story.
Minor Matters: Knuckleballer Mickey Jannis gave up six runs on nine hits in four innings as Triple-A Norfolk lost to Durham, 11-2.
Second baseman Jahmai Jones hit his fourth home run. Centerfielder Yusniel Diaz was hitless in four at-bats, and he’s batting .184.
Leftfielder Robert Neustrom drove in all three runs in Double-A Bowie’s 4-3 loss to Richmond in 10 innings. Neustrom and catcher Adley Rutschman had two hits.
Kyle Brnovich started and allowed two runs on four hits in five innings. Gray Fenter gave up a run on two hits in four innings, striking out six and walking two.
Rightfielder Zach Watson drove in three runs and designated hitter J.D. Mundy had three hits as High-A Aberdeen scored six runs in the eighth in a 9-1 win over Greenville.
Drew Rom (3-0) pitched five scoreless innings, allowing three hits, striking out six and walking three.
Brandon Young, Thomas Girard and Igancio Feliz combined on a four-hitter as Low-A Delmarva beat Salem, 7-1.
Rightfielder Cristopher Cespedes drove in two runs and centerfielder Hudson Haskin had three hits.
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At some point we need to move on from Harvey and give Lowther and Alex Wells a chance and before the end of the year maybe even Bradish. Same with Valdez. I don’t care how good your story is at some point it becomes about results and he’s not giving them to you. Bring up Evan Phillips or Armstrong. I’m starting to think Duquette really missed on Diaz. I understand he was hurt with the quad but he’s back for three weeks now. Time to get going. Manny was a rental sure but I feel like we could’ve gotten a better return.
What an embarrassment, it's a slap in the face to fans to keep running him out there, and it screams TANK, because we know what the result will be!
Put a radar gun game on Eutaw street somewhere & maybe you’ll get lucky...try something instead of the SOS, definition of insanity, c’mon man...go O’s...
Meanwhile, Wade LeBlanc is starting for the Cardinals and has a 2.16 ERA.
Another example of a franchise that knows how to win...go O’s...
Birdman, thanks for pointing out yet another example of a pitcher who has found success away from Bawlamer.
I realize LeBlanc has pitched for 7 MLB teams and has a sub .500 career record, and thus may not be the best example, but why the sudden sparkling ERA at age 36?
Jake Arrietta really doing well for the Cubs… Cmon man , why don’t you mention the bad outings for all the ex Orioles…you GM wannabes are so fickle. Stop crying and stick with the process. In Mikey we trust
Why do all,or a least a large faction of the Elias supporters on this site call those of us that question his 'process' ... "GM Wannabes"? I see this and other jabs time after time around here.
What makes us any more a GM Wannabe than those that support him and his plan?
FYI ... and I don't speak for any others here, but just because I hate throwing game after game ... question the ethics ... and don't quite understand how he and seemingly his whole generation can accept losing (tanking) as a 'process' ... does NOT make me want to be a General Manager. Nor a racist. Nor stupid.
100% with Boog on this, we don’t have to agree on everything, or anything for that matter, just be respectful...go O’s...
Also not fickle Shamus, feel free to dwell on the negative & mention every MLB failure if you want...go O’s...
I’m not sure if I was being called out for being a “GM Wannabee” or not, but that’s never been my position.
For the record, I’m all for a rebuild and am glad we’re going in a new direction. I’ve said that before. I also don’t buy into tanking.
I’ve simply tried to point out instances when a pitcher leaves here and then seems to blossom at other clubs. Just wondering why.
The Arrietta reference is certainly a good one. He has done quite well since being given every opportunity here.
As a Cub over 4 years, he compiled a 68-31 record. And oh yeah he’s 5-9 this year and that’s more wins than any starter on our rotation.
Just sayin’.
Be respectful? For the the record I didn’t call BRR a racist or stupid. But he has used name calling quite a bit on this site. And I really don’t care about his political views. Mr. Dubroff, I thought this site was for back and forth about the Orioles . Guess I was wrong. One more thing, BRR . You referred to some generational thing . Just so you know , I’m as old as the Orioles, I just know baseball better then you . Have a nice life
Shamus, I try not to get in the middle of discussions between commenters, and yes, this site is for back and forth, and I try to discourage political opinions, which have nothing to do with baseball. I also try not to censor, though sometimes it becomes necessary. There are many sites where people can debate politics, but relatively few where the Orioles are the focus.
Shamus, perhaps I should have put that comment on a thread of it's own. You were indeed the impetus for my thoughts today, but it could have been any of a large number of others around here over time. By putting it under you on a thread, I guess it was pointing at you today. Bad idea I admit. I should have made it the 1st comment in a new thread. I apologize.
But you certainly made my point today by responding that ... "I just know baseball better thEn you.' Direct assault. I'm baseball dumb I guess. Moron, that's me.
You have a great life as well old timer.
Didn’t he win the Cy Young for the NL a few yrs ago?...go O’s...
Congrats to you Shamus, O’s established in 1901, hope I’m around for 120 yrs...go O’s...
Rich - thanks for all you (and the others do) on the site. I appreciate that the task of censoring this site is difficult and not taken lightly.
Thank you, Cedar. I really don't want to censor and want to let people express themselves, even if their comments don't add anything, in my opinion, to the site. But, I will when necessary.
BRR - not sure whether this is the point you were going for but I think that all of us who comment on this site in support or critical of the current or former regime, are GM wannabes. I also agree that when disagreeing with each other, we should still show respect to the commenter
Last night game is an example of why it’s sometimes hard to evaluate some of the young pitchers without quality infield defense . The play in the first inning is an example the play was a step to the left of the third baseman he gloves it and makes a bad throw to Valika and Valika doesn’t have a Schoop arm and that opened the gates . We have got to get quality infield starters .
Actually, I feel that the O's infield defense is improving. Leyba, Urias, and Valaika aren't household names, but they aren't embarrassing out there. The problem with the Orioles is the PITCHING. We do not have "quality" young pitchers at the Major League level. . Note how Ryu pitched (compared to Matt Harvey). Ryu worked the corners, changed speeds, and kept the batters guessing. Plutko, Valdez, and Lowther...not so much.
Good to see mentioned both on air and in writing Santander's encouraging signs of coming out of his season long slump. Finally getting good AB's. One problem though-- Hyde sits him. One step forward,one step back. Did Harvey really say he'll work on it in the "second half"? Don't scare me like that. There better not be a second half for him. Jannis is back at Norfolk? That's way too close to Baltimore. Having him and Stevie being a phone call away is concerning. Love to get a scout's breakdown on Diaz' struggles at Norfolk? Is the end near?
They did the same thing with Hays, hot & not start him, was told they’re trying to keep him healthy, then put him in bubble wrap...go O’s...
Buck up campers, you just have to remind yourself that it's a process. We still have time to catch the Diamondbacks!
I don't know what the right approach should be w these Starting Pitchers. Maybe the Orioles should let Wells, Lowther and Kevin Smith go out there every five days rather than the current collection being utilized,
It's an unavoidable part of this rebuild.
Yusniel Diaz is a terrible disappointment...there is a huge disconnect between the Scouting Reports on him and his on-field performance over the last 3+ years... Seems like he needs a Psychologist more than a hitting coach.. Either the Scouting reports on him were:
1) flat-out wrong
2) he is injured, or
3) he just doesn't have the drive to excel
This would be a huge setback to the Orioles were it not for the fact that they waited a year (or two) too long to trade #13... we know they weren't going to get much for #13 so late in the game.
Brandon Hyde has the patience of a Saint...
I see the Orioles getting more terrific young players beginning this weekend's upcoming Draft.
Better days are coming--really..
I’d like to actually see Diaz on a MLB field.
Reading about his woes just doesn’t cut it, and it’s like going on innuendo. I hope he can stay healthy enough to get on the field so we can actually see him play.
Exposure.
It would be good to see him up in Baltimore.
Maybe he needs to be challenged.
His Body Language is terrible.
At this point what can they lose?
BC, with all due respect, if Diaz can’t find it in himself to perform well enough to get to Baltimore, then in my opinion, the last thing I’d wanna see the O’s do is gift wrap him that opportunity. I’m thinking if I were in his shoes I’d be busting my tail EVERY day until they HAD to call me up.
Unless he can pitch...lol...go O’s...
I would rather see him struggle here than AAA. He’s old enough where we need to see what he does at MLB level. He could be stuck in thinking he has to “succeed” statistically in AAA before he can even think of being promoted. We’ve seen other guys like Mike Yaz make the jump. Diaz might just be one of those guys who benefits from the better playing conditions.
We give all manner of bums and washouts a roster spot but a guy whose scouting reports all say “big leaguer” is stuck trying to prove he’s a AAA guy first. He’s already on the 40 man and I think he turns 25 in the fall. It’s now or never. Bring the man up, I’m sure we can spare DJ Stewart or McKenna or somebody for a month to see if this kid can click.
I’ll tell ya what 33rd St, ya sold me with your argument. I guess I’m just thinking, precisely because all we heard about was how many “tools” he had that I expected more, and sooner. Now I know injuries have set him back so I do give him some slack for that. But to your point, if the O’s can bring up so many others they can and should give him his chance. I wanna congratulate you on winning me over to that point. Job well done.
Is it true that a few of the Home Run Derby entrants asked the O's if they would let any of their starters pitch to them?
I have two that I'm sure were asked about.
Matt Harvey 3 and 10 7.70 ERA
Jorge Lopez 2 and 11 6.02 ERA
And believe or not, they ain't gonna miss a turn!
Unfortunately the only positive is they’ll take the hill on their turn for around 4 innings...go O’s...
I.m afraid then they turn over to that horrible bullpen. So that means, no pitching at all.
Agree, unfortunately the bullpen, a projected strength earlier by many is not... Rec. League softball offense will be needed to stay in just about any game, sighhhh, oh well...go O’s...
33
It should happen. Let’s see what he’s got.
He won’t be protected in the Rule 5 next year anyway…,
Thinking that they will need him anyway after Santander is traded.