Aug 15, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Keegan Akin (45) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
BOSTON-The Orioles weren’t competitive in their three games against Boston this weekend. They extended their most recent losing streak to 11 games and were swept for the 14th time this season. Cedric Mullins, the team’s best player, saw his hitting streak end at 20 games when he went 0-for-5 as the Orioles lost to the Red Sox, 6-2, before an announced crowd of 28,935 at Fenway Park on Sunday.
For the weekend, the Orioles were outscored, 30-5, and struck out 33 times. Their last win was at Yankee Stadium on August 2nd. Manager Brandon Hyde called the 7-1 victory the most complete game of the season. The Orioles have been in freefall ever since.
“I just see how much better we need to get in our strike zone discipline,” Hyde said after the Orioles managed four hits on Sunday. “You watch their hitters, and they’re more experienced, and they have a bunch of guys who’ve been to the postseason and won a bunch of games, but there’s just a level of understanding the strike zone, understanding what the pitcher is trying to do, not chase, not let pitchers off the hook.”
The Orioles lost 14 straight from May 18-31, and have multiple 11-game losing streaks for the first time in club history. They’re 13-34 against the American League East.
In the first inning, the Orioles scored against Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez when Austin Hays walked with one out, and Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander singled. Hays stopped at third on Santander’s hit, but leftfielder J.D. Martinez’s throw was errant, and Hays scored on the error.
Before Santander’s hit, the Orioles (38-78) had gone 0-for-36 with runners in scoring position in their previous five games. They were 3-for-12.
“Guys are trying to get the big hit and trying to do a little too much at times,” Hyde said. “This is not easy. This is frustrating for everybody. We’re playing from behind almost on a nightly basis, and that’s hard to do. We’re not scoring many runs, and we’re having a tough time on the mind. The at-bats get away from us at times.”
Oriole starter Keegan Akin’s lead was short-lived. Martinez crushed a three-run home run to left with two outs in the bottom of the first, his 23rd, and Boston (69-51) had a 3-1 lead.
In the bottom of the third with runners on second and third, manager Brandon Hyde walked Martinez intentionally, and Akin retired Kyle Schwarber on a short fly to right and struck out Bobby Dalbec.
Akin (0-7), who hadn’t completed four innings since July 10th, gave up three runs on six hits in four.
“OK, a little better than the last couple of starts,” Akin said. “Still got to get a little better, go deeper in the games … I’ve got to bounce back and get a little better the next start.”
Marcos Diplan pitched the fifth and threw a 1-2-3 innings. Opposing hitters are 0-for-19 against him in his four major league appearances. He’s the first Oriole to not allow a hit in his first four outings.
Fernando Abad became the 53rd player used by the Orioles this season and faced four batters in the sixth. He left with the bases loaded and one out. Tanner Scott relieved Abad, and Kike Hernandez singled off third base umpire Will Little’s left shin to score Schwarber. Scott walked Hunter Renfroe for a second run, and a third scored on Xander Bogaerts’ infield out, and Boston led, 6-1.
Hyde felt Abad was getting squeezed by home plate umpire Greg Gibson, but credited Boston’s hitters.
“We have a tough time having innings like that,” Hyde said “We are in swing mode, and good pitchers can pitch to that.”
Rodriguez (9-6) allowed the unearned run on three hits in six innings. He’s 12-5 against the Orioles with a 3.22 ERA in 22 games.
Adam Ottavino hit Pedro Severino with a pitch to begin the seventh. Severino walked to the mound, said something to Ottavino and walked to first. Ottavino threw two wild pitches and, with one out, walked Maikel Franco. Jorge Mateo lined a ball off the pitcher left’s shoulder, Severino scored, and Ottavino left the game with a bruise.
The Orioles begin a four-game series at Tampa Bay on Monday.
“It’s tough. You never want an 11-game losing streak,” Akin said. “I have faith we’re going to turn it around, grind it out and figure it out.”
Notes: Matt Harvey (6-11, 6.10 ERA ) will pitch for the Orioles on Monday. The Rays haven’t announced their starter. On Tuesday, John Means (5-4, 3.21) will face Drew Rasmussen (1-1, 3.98). On Wednesday, Spenser Watkins (2-4, 5.25) will face Shane McClanahan (7-4, 3.73). Jorge Lopez will pitch on Thursday afternoon. Tampa Bay hasn’t announced its starter. … Konner Wade, whose contract was purchased before the game from Triple-A Norfolk, allowed a hit in two scoreless innings. In his only previous game, Wade gave up six runs in 1 2/3 innings. Wade lowered his ERA from 32.40 to 14.73.
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Look Boss, Diplan,Diplan!
Definitely a Fantasy Island joke some where here...lol...go O’s...
Horrible two weeks!! Elias’ speak has it set up like there are no expectations to be even respectively competitive. When does it start turning around? When ? Pitching ?
Never associated the sticky finger rule as affecting baltimore pitchers. They were all so inconsistent I thought that was their natural way. I think you might have a legitimate point. Some would try anything to improve.
The Orioles should petition the league to allow Oriole pitchers to use the sticky stuff, so as to make our pitchers at least to appear to be better than little leaguers
The O’s were one of seven teams that had a higher spin rate this year vs last year.
Another Abad loss by the 0’s who are Akin for a win. (Sorry!). The last 1.5 months of the season could be real ugly.
Akin is a master of understatement - "got to get a little better"
Yeah - I noticed that quote too. Akin’s failing colossally and says that. Baby steps. Geesh.
Long time follower, first time commentor. Really enjoy all of the posts. I learn a lot from them and thank you all. Had a chance to take my kids for the first time in a long time out to OPACY this past Wednesday. What a thoroughly depressing experience. And never mind about the miserable product on the field. Does the front office give a darn anymore about anything except tanking? I’m talking about having make the few fans that actually showed up stand out in a lightning storm in line to get into OPACY since “we don’t open the gates until one hour before game time.” Or, not even playing highlights from other games on the JumboTron during an hour rain delay. Instead, we got to see an endless loop of the Oriole Bird head spinning around for an hour. Top it off with a sound system that didn’t even allow you to hear the PA announcer and closed food stands galore, and the fan experience that management delivers is almost as bad as the product on the field. Glad Ravens’ season has started.
Fans should really consider organizing a boycott of attending orioles games, until management can deliver a better product!!!!
Money talks, and if they got under a thousand fans each game, the team , and the way fans are treated at the stadium , would get better fast!!!!
420, while I have long championed the ballpark, you have indirectly touched on three of my misgivings: The scoreboard is old and outmoded, the sound system isn’t good and the concessions aren’t very good. Thank you for writing.
Rich, you are correct about the sound system ... I attended last Saturday night's game against Tampa. The pre-game induction ceremony for the new members of the Orioles HOF was frequently inaudible.
Interestingly, we can't hear announcements well in the press box even though Adrienne Roberson, the public address announcer sits about 60 feet away.
Winchester, attendance has dropped dramatically already.
In response to 420, I also attended Wednesday’s game against Detroit. I normally drink two beers at a game (at $12 a beer - $8 at the Ravens game Saturday night, by the way). I went to buy my second beer in the 4th inning. I was told they are closing down concessions, no longer selling beer. Now, there was a long rain delay, but it was only 10:15 pm. I was pissed. If I have to watch this team - a few beers sure helps!
Hey Rich, I guess the REBUILD didn't work so I wonder if Genius1 is ready to go to Plan B. I hope Plan B is his ticket back to Cheaterville. Eleven in a row and no end in sight. He really has the BROTHERS buffaloed.
Maryland’s little leaguers are available...go O’s...
Elias would probably underslot the little leaguers.
You do realize that is because of grinchelos wanting to pinch a penny, don't you?
You’re probably right, sadly...go O’s...
First I have asked this three times here and no one gives me an answer . Who is calling the pitches who was dumb enough to call three sliders in a row to JD Martinez the third one ended up on the citgo sign.
Second, once Akin gets on a decent roll our genius manager yanks him after 75 pitches note to Hyde your supposed to let him pitch that’s how young pitchers develop.
Lastly, I happen to listen to the Red Sox broadcast team of Dennis Ecersley and his partner Jerry Remey ? Anyway they absolutely excoriated Keegan Akin personally and the entire pitching staff as a whole it was hilarious with Ec saying the Oriole pitches just spray the ball because they have no idea where it’s going . I hope somebody somewhere is listening .
Sad but true story;
I’ll be in Baltimore on 25th and 26th of this month. I’d planned on going to game on 26th. A friend of mine texts me and tells me PGA playoffs will be at a course about a half hour away from Baltimore that weekend. My choice was between worlds best golfers or my favorite baseball team. Which choice do you think I’m making?
Where are they getting these wannabe pitchers from? It’s a shame!!!! Let’s go Ravens!!!!!!!
Check out the picture on Camden Chat! If I was the catcher there, and someone was admiring a HR right in front of me, a punch between the legs is called for!
Thank you Mike Elias.
Seems to me that there is only one semi-rational explanation for the deterioration in both the Orioles' play and the ballpark as described in previous comments. (Incompetence and excessive penny-pinching are certainly causal factors, but I consider them to be IRRational). That explanation would be that the Bros. Angelos have made a firm decision to sell the team. I call it a semi-rational explanation because it's hard to believe that their deteriorating product will not lower the sales price. I would NOT put money on the sale coming in the near future only because of what seems to be the complete absence of leaks that they are seeking potential buyers. If one believes a sale is looming, the big question is whether it's a good thing or a bad thing for those wanting the team to stay put.
BTW, the Akin quote sneered at above pales in comparison to his astute observation that "You never want an 11-game losing streak.” Inside baseball at its best.
Sad to see Pluto yes Pluto go seems like a recording that Hyde has after every dude is released that didn’t perform up to the worst team in baseballs standards. All of them should never have been here to begin with. This rebuild is ugly and Hyde has to be the fall guy with the crap he is given to play.