BALTIMORE—The Orioles’ losing streak is at 19, the longest in Major League Baseball since the Kansas City Royals lost that many in 2005. If the Los Angeles Angels, who beat the Orioles, 14-8, before an announced crowd of 8,781 at Camden Yards on Tuesday, win again on Wednesday and Thursday, the Orioles will equal the 21 losses in a row they had to start the 1988 season.
The Tampa Bay Rays follow the Angels to Baltimore. If they sweep the Orioles, Baltimore will have 24 consecutive losses, which would be a modern day record. The 1961 Philadelphia Phillies lost 23 straight.
It’s the fatalistic way Oriole fans are thinking as the losses mount, and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight.
“It’s been very tough,” Anthony Santander said through a translator. Santander had a big night, going 4-for-5 and hitting a home run onto Eutaw Street. He helped the Orioles chip away at a 13-2 deficit, but it was too much to overcome.
“Sometimes it’s the pitchers, sometimes it’s the offense,” he said. “We have the mentality to come in every single day with a winning attitude, and that’s what we need to do, come in with a winning attitude, and something’s going to happen.”
Spenser Watkins, who began his career by allowing three runs on 11 hits in 15 1/3 innings in his first three starts, hasn’t been the same since. In Watkins’ last six starts, all losses, he has allowed 30 runs on 42 hits in 25 2/3 innings. His ERA, which was 1.65 after that third start is now 7.07. On Tuesday night, he gave up eight runs on seven hits in 2-plus innings.
Watkins (2-6) faced Dylan Bundy, who was making his first start against his former team. Bundy allowed Ryan Mountcastle’s 22nd home run in the first and departed with the bases loaded, one out and a 5-1 lead in the second. But Javy Guerra (2-4) retired Cedric Mullins on a short fly ball and Mountcastle on a ground ball to end the second and prevent the Orioles from getting back into the game at that point.
Watkins left after the first four batters of the third reached. The Angels were hitting the ball hard.
“They had a good game plan,” Watkins said. “I thought I made some good pitches. They hit them, simple.”
In the first, Watkins retired the Angels (63-64) in order, striking out Shohei Ohtani, who’s scheduled to pitch on Wednesday night. Ohtani, the major league’s home run leader with 40, went 1-for-4 and was intentionally walked, which drew boos from the fans.
Jo Adell had four RBIs, on a two-run triple in the second, and a two-run single in the third. Juan Lagares had a two-run home run in the third, when the Angels took an 8-1 lead after the Orioles missed their opportunity in the second.
“No one wants to be in this position,” Watkins said. “We’re battling. This is the big leagues. You don’t have that breather. You don’t get that easy team. That doesn’t exist here.”
Konner Wade allowed five runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings and left with the Orioles (38-86) trailing, 13-2.
“It’s tough to stay in the game when you’re down 13-2 after four innings,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “You’ve got to pitch in this league to win. You’ve got to pitch in this league to be competitive.”
Ramón Urias had an RBI double in the third and a two-run single in a three-run fifth for the Orioles. Mountcastle hit his second homer of the game, and 23rd of the season, to lead off the sixth. He has the fourth most home runs by an Orioles rookie. Only Cal Ripken Jr. (28 in 1982), Eddie Murray (27 in 1977) and Trey Mancini (24 in 2017) had more.
Santander’ four-hit game also included two doubles. The first scored Trey Mancini in the fifth, and his 13th homer scored Mancini in the sixth to reduce the Angels’ lead to 13-8. Santander’s home run that landed on Eutaw Street was his fourth this season and seventh in his career. Santander trails only Chris Davis, who hit 11 onto Eutaw Street.
Jahmai Jones, playing his first game for the Orioles, struck out looking three times, fouled out and was hit by a pitch (in his first at-bat). He also committed an error at second base.
Jorge Mateo, who was playing shortstop, left the game after six innings because of lower back discomfort. Urías moved from third to shortstop, and Kelvin Gutiérrez, who was called up from Triple-A Norfolk before the game, played third.
Fernando Abad relieved Wade in the fourth and pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings to prevent the game from getting even more out of hand. Marcos Diplán allowed his first earned run in eight appearances on David Fletcher’s RBI single in the eighth.
“This is incredibly challenging and a huge gut check,” Hyde said. “We’re having a lot of tough nights and trying to keep our spirits high, trying to be there for the guys. We are.”
Watkins said the losses aren’t reflected in the players’ approach.
“You would come into our clubhouse and you wouldn’t think something like that was going on,” Watkins said. “There’s no dark cloud hanging over anybody or the clubhouse in general.”
Notes: The Orioles struck out four times in the sixth inning. Mancini reached when he struck out and Angels catcher Max Stassi threw wildly to first. They tied their season high with 16 strikeouts in a nine-inning game. … Hyde will use someone from the bullpen to start Wednesday’s game against Ohtani (8-1, 2.79). … Wade was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the game.
Minor league update: Dean Kremer allowed three runs in two innings in relief as Triple-A Norfolk lost to Jacksonville, 4-3. Mike Baumann started and pitched five scoreless innings, giving up four hits, walking three and striking out five. Hunter Harvey pitched a scoreless sixth, allowing a hit and striking out one.
Rightfielder Kyle Stowers had three hits, including his 11th home run, a two-run shot in Double-A Bowie’s 9-7 loss to Erie. Drew Rom (2-1) pitched four innings in relief and allowed four runs on five hits in four innings.
Adam Stauffer (0-1) allowed four runs in the seventh as High-A Aberdeen lost to Brooklyn ,9-6. Leftfielder Cristopher Cespedes hit a two-run homer for the IronBirds,
Third baseman Coby Mayo hit his second home run for Low-A Delmarva and drove in three runs as the Shorebirds beat Salem, 9-4. Second baseman Connor Norby had three hits and two RBIs. Gregori Vasquez (2-0) pitched four scoreless innings in relief, allowing three hits and striking out three.
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This is the big leagues. You don’t have that breather. You don’t get that easy team. That doesn’t exist here, unfortunately it does for everyone BUT the Orioles, they are the easy team...hopefully though it will be a fun off season with the new FA signings & all...go O’s...
I had the same thought when reading that quote from Watkins CP. haha good grief
Very disheartening.
To quote Casey Stengel, manager of the 62 Mets……”Can’t anybody here play this game?
Geesh if there's one player that intrigues me at this point(other than Mountcastle) it's Mateo--and now he blows out his back. Come on gimme a break. Maybe there is still a bit of glimmer in Santander. Would be nice. Urias quietly keeps confounding his critics. Not so sure bringing up Baumann/Bradish would be such a good idea at this point. This staff is infected and seems to be VERY contagious to new arrivals. Leave them down till spring because the present day results are already inevitable. Mullins-- should take the rest of the series off. Only problem with that is that Mckenna's not around. See where the O's now have the number one rated farm system. Excellent BUT don't let that lower your guard Mr. Elias. Open the checkbook this winter. Oh that's of course if John okays it. Jahmai Jones looks like he's about 40. Rough road gettin' to majors I guess.
So should the Watkins / Greg Maddux comparisons be officially put to bed now?
"“They had a good game plan,” Watkins said." ... this pearl of wisdom must be the result of the new analytics that have been put in place. You can tell they're making all the difference, 'eh boys?
Mr.Elias.......You CAN'T allow this to go on again next year. This team has the makings of a decent lineup. They have all year. You've made a mockery of our franchise. Please invest in some arms this offseason.
I love when our pitchers say they had a good game plan or they have a tough lineup all the way they but I thought I threw the ball well after getting clobbered. They seem to forget they are in the big leagues and it’s supposed to be that way. How embarrassing.
All the way thru
Our pitching staff is atrocious. Might as well do like the Rays and use “openers” instead of starters.
But, the difference in this game was the Orioles displaying home run power while the Los Angeles Angels put on a hitting clinic. The Angels 4th inning was a prime example of how to manufacture runs. They combined five singles, a walk, and a double to effectively put the game away. No 433 foot Eutaw Street home runs. Just basic run production. Either these basic fundamentals aren’t being taught in our Minor League system or the O’s don’t have the type of players who can execute them.
It’s beyond frustrating to watch the results.
Spot on right there.
The Watkins experiment needs to be over. For his next turn in the rotation call up Baumann. There on the same day. We might actually have a decent infield for once. Jones was solid last night made some good plays. On the error you can see he needs to work on his internal clock and not try to rush his throws. Not exactly sure he would’ve had Walsh on that play anyway. Two of his strikeouts were on balls so not going to hold that against him.
Call up Baumann and his mate Adley . Severino will not be on the team next year so say goodbye now and show this city something to believe in again. Isn’t it about time.
Totally about time, won’t happen...go O’s...
Well past time.
Send down Watkins, call up Baumann, Bannon and Harvey. Cut the dead weight now. It’s time. Os need a W to end this horrible streak. It’s all about pitching. Angels strategy of drafting all pitchers this year is looking better and better.
Btw, I love what’s happening in Delmarva. Seven in a row since newbies took over. Bodes well for the future!
Thanks, Rich, for a good description of the game and the minor league info. Very professional.
One off-field question. I believe Chris Davis was the O's Players Union rep. Has
his successor been elected or named?
I believe it's Trey Mancini.
Btw Rich why did Madden pull Bundy so early? Wilting in the Baltimore humidity like he's so famous for? Dylan couldn't be too pleased.
His fastball was clocked in the high 80's, sure didn't look confident on the mound.
The Orioles have the best farm system in all of Major League Baseball now!!! That's right, the Orioles now are No. 1!!! The Orioles moved to the top spot in the latest organizational rankings released last night by MLBPipeline.com and just eight days ago, the Orioles were ranked No. 2 by Baseball America. So, that's something to hang our hats on for this year.
Captain Obvious called and stated two or three more call ups this year won't change the Orioles fate this year as I believe 54 and counting has showed so far. However, if they have another great draft next year like the draft picks are showing in Delmarva this year and have a great overseas signings as well, then things will turn around soon.
When we get decent pitching (consistently), this team will compete. This game is won & lost on the mound. It's really that simple.
Having the number one farm system is huge(show there's more to it than Rutchsman/Rodriguez) and does give Elias an atta boy BUT as Ben McDonald stated last night the real turning point is when the International signees start coming of age. Just a little encouraging thought. Now back to "opening up the purse springs this winter" part:6.
8,000 fans to see the biggest attraction (Ohtani) in MLB ... even a highly rated farm system will not be enough, alone, to turn this franchise around in time ... ownership has to show a willingness to loosen the purse strings this off-season - no more $9 million pitching staff.
Agreed. This pitching staff ex-Means is worth $3 million tops. I don't know why anyone would be surprised at Watkins' lack of success. Like several other of our waiver pickups, he long toiled in the minors to no measurable success. He spent seven years mired in the Tigers farm system. After they released him, he made his MLB debut this year with a pitching-desperate team in Baltimore. Chris Wells, our opener tonite, has similar non-credentials. Inexcusable, the long-term rebuild plan notwithstanding.
I liked that comment by Ben, #1 farm without any international talent.
This is HUUUGE and gives Mike Elias way more than just an atta boy! The Orioles never, ever even had a top 10 farm system in their entire existence before he took over just 2 plus years ago (3 years on November 16, 2018). And under Mike Elias's new leadership, he didn’t benefit from trading major league players for prospects, as most rebuilding General Managers do when they arrive, so their progress has been slower than most Baltimore fans might like to see.
Please get rid of Severino. He started that mess in the second inning, Watkins wasn't the same after that.
Wow, Captain Obvious posters says Orioles need pitching and need to spend $$$ to get it!!! Stop the presses!!! We have a earthshaking news flash!!!
Got another news flash for the Captain Obvious posters, all teams are looking for pitching!!! Bring something to the table!!!
Hey Captain
Scratch the O's from your list of teams seaking pitching. Because obviously, Captain.......they are NOT.
Seeking pitching......that is.
Hallbe62, Birdman and WorldlyView or as I like to call you - Captain Obvious - News Flash: ALL TEAMS ARE SEARCHING FOR PITCHING!!! News Flash: The Orioles are currently in a rebuild. And all the minor league pitching prospects they brought up this year didn't seem to pan out and all are on a minimum salaries therefore the cost. Do some homework!
But, the number 1 farm system players should eventually be brought up thru the ranks and when they do, all or most will migrate to the MLB roster, the Orioles will spend/trade for pitching, just like Houston did when obtained Gerrit Cole, Zack Greinke, Justin Verlander and Wade Miley.
When you have a 14 man pitching staff with a total payroll of $9 million, you obviously are not "looking for pitching"!!!
The problem, No1, is that the Orioles have done the worst job of any team this year in finding effective pitching. This is due to mainly to malfeasance and penny-pinching, not a respectable "search." This should be Obvious even to you.
Mom must have given him his phone back.