BALTIMORE-In his first three starts, Spenser Watkins was the Orioles’ unlikeliest feel-good story of 2021 — a 30th-round draft pick by the Detroit Tigers from Western Oregon who trudged his way through the minor leagues.
Watkins allowed just three runs in those starts, but the Miami Marlins matched that total in the second inning as the Orioles lost, 7-3, before an announced crowd of 10,098 at Camden Yards on Tuesday night.
The loss broke the Orioles’ sixth three-game winning streak of the season. They’re 34-65.
Miami had 15 hits against Watkins, Shaun Anderson, Adam Plutko and Conner Greene.
Sandy Léon hit a three-run home run that landed on Eutaw Street in the second off Watkins to give Miami (44-57) a 3-0 lead.
Watkins (2-1) loaded the bases in the third but got out of the inning when Isan Diaz grounded to first baseman Ryan Mountcastle.
Miami scored in the fourth on three singles. Starling Marte’s single scored Léon.
In four innings, Watkins allowed four runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out one. His ERA rose from 1.65 to 2.10.
“The biggest separation was the feel for the offspeed,” Watkins said. “We’ve been working on a few things, tweaking as we do throughout the season and trying to find that consistent feel was a little bit a search for me rather than having it from pitch one.”
Watkins is looking forward to his next start Sunday against Detroit.
“Find that grip, find that feel,” he said. “I wouldn’t sit here and say I took a step back by any means.”
Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara didn’t allow a hit in the first three innings. Austin Hays’ 10th home run in the fourth was the Orioles’ first hit. Trey Mancini doubled to right and, with one out, was doubled off second on DJ Stewart’s liner to second baseman Isan Diaz.
Anderson served up Lewin Diaz’s second home run of the season to begin the fifth, and the Orioles were down, 5-1.
Cedric Mullins’ 17th home run began the Orioles’ sixth to cut the margin to 5-2. Brian Anderson’s fifth homer in the seventh put Miami ahead, 6-2.
After Stewart began the seventh with a double, Ramón Urias drove him in with a single, and Anthony Bass relieved Alcantara (6-9), who allowed three runs on six hits in six-plus innings.
“He’s a dude that has some movement on his fastball,” Mullins said. “It was just a matter of making adjustments, which I feel as a team we did, just couldn’t get them the way we wanted to.”
In the bottom of the eighth, Mullins led off with a single against Anthony Bender. After Hays struck out, Mancini doubled, with Mullins moving to third, but Mountcastle fouled out to right, and Stewart grounded to second.
“We faced Alcantara and he’s a number one, so he’s really good,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “This guy’s got a chance to be an elite pitcher in our league for a long time.”
Greene became the 48th player used by the Orioles when he made his major league debut in the eighth. Greene is the 12th Oriole to make his debut this season. He pitched the final two innings, allowing a run in the eighth on Jesús Aguilar’s RBI single.
After the game, he walked behind the backstop, chatting with fans and signing autographs.
“He was really amped up that first inning,” Hyde said. “We saw a bunch of 98 [mph] and 99s, I haven’t seen that before.
“I like the energy he brings on the mound. He’s definitely in the fight every single pitch. Our pitching staff, we’re having trouble with two outs.”
Notes: The Orioles signed right-handed pitcher Daniel Lloyd, their 14th -ound draft pick. They’ve signed their entire 21-player draft class. They’ve also signed four undrafted free agents — right-handed pitchers Carson Carter (Oklahoma), Daniel Federman (Miami) and Preston Price (Arizona) and catcher Logan Michaels (Virginia). … Jorge Lopez (2-12, 5.84 ERA) will face Jordan Holloway (2-3, 3.21) on Wednesday night. … For the Orioles’ four-game series in Detroit beginning Thursday night, Alexander Wells, Matt Harvey, John Means and Watkins are the scheduled pitchers.
Minor league update: Shortstop Mason McCoy hit a three-run home run and Konner Wade (3-1) gave up one run on three hits in six innings, striking out six as Triple-A Norfolk defeated Durham, 3-1.
The Tides had just two hits, both by McCoy, who also singled.
Cody Sedlock (3-2) pitched five strong innings, allowing a run on six hits, striking out seven and walking one as Double-A Bowie beat Richmond, 6-1. First baseman Toby Welk hit his seventh home run, a two-run shot. Shortstop Cadyn Grenier had three hits.
Ignacio Felix (0-2) allowed six runs in three innings as High-A Aberdeen lost to Bowling Green, 9-3.
In his first game since being promoted from the Florida Complex League, Jean Pinto allowed four runs, three earned, in four innings as Low-A Delmarva lost to Fredericksburg, 5-1.
Pinto (0-1) gave up just two hits but walked three and struck out eight.
The Shorebirds had just three hits.
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Can't be too disappointed. Watkins was due to come to earth a bit. Let's just hope he and Holt can learn,make adjustments and move on. The book is out on him so he has to counter it. Easier said than done. Ever notice how O's hit a lot of solo HRs but seem to give up a lot of 3 run HRs? That Greene fastball was impressive but not holding my breath. He sure does have a fun family and group of fans. The "cat n mouse" game of adjustments continues for Mountcastle,Hays. They both have holes but tons of talent. Glad seeing Baumann at Norfolk. Just hope he doesn't fall victim to that "losing" atmosphere there and turn into just another Tides pitcher with a 7.00 plus ERA.
Watkins was due for a bad outing. Can we play hays everyday? I mean everyday he proves why he should be in there. Same with McKenna. A day after he single handley one us a game he’s sitting for that bum Stewart. Mountcastle needs some help in this lineup. He can’t get over 250 because no one pitches to him. What do you expect when you got Stewart behind you? Why is Anderson still on this team he’s gotten hammered every outing?
McKenna reminds of me a hairier version of Joey Rickard. Are you sure you want to be so high on him? I'd hate to think he's in our outfield 'every day' for the next couple of years.
I’d take him over DJ, McKenna can run, play defense and if given time may be able to hit MLB pitching. Let’s not give up on him it’s too early yet.
Remember no Woka- Cola. Drink the red white and blue can
I'm not sure anybody wants DJ in the lineup every day either, although I'm convinced he can hit and isn't as bad defensively as he often appears. When he's bad, it's often comically bad.
Dang right bra ... No Coke ...Pepsi! Let's make soda great again!
But I’d take his defense and speed over Stewart everyday of the week.
Oh no doubt! Way better than Stewart in those departments.
IF...and it's a big IF ... McKenna can hit, then he's more than a quality MLB outfielder.
That's a kick in the nuts to McKenna!
Jean Pinto had quite a pitching line. Sounds exciting, if the upside takes over.
Fun to see Greene make his way up. Is he going to be Scott’s hard throwing replacement? Good to see Baumann on the cusp too now in AAA. Glad Elias is not letting these guys languish in the minors but lots of rapid movement this summer. Rom at Bowie should be interesting too. I’m hoping sedlock can keep his mojo going and get called up to Norfolk too. It would be great to see him make it to Baltimore finally too. Orioles have to make some trades if they’re going to keep up with PIT trades and draft picks. No sense in holding on to guys that are not going to be a part of the future pennant team.
Excited to see the monthly mass moves of our future stars - it’s starting to take shape. Bring on the international players!!!
Went to the game last night. Wouldn't let my wife in with a small purse. Charged $10 to put in a locker. Still had fun though! Going again tonight, lets get a win!
Take a big purse this time!
Someone please tell Jorge Lopez that 2-12, 5.84 is not funny!
My wife & I attended one of the O’s games when they played the INDIANS, no bags or purses allowed, the give away that night, an Indians bag, we laughed til tears ran down our legs, seems like MLB can’t do much right this year...lol...go O’s...
Boddicker JR will be just fine!