Cade Povich allows 6 runs in debut in Orioles’ 6-5 loss to Blue Jays; Rutschman homers twice

Despite allowing six runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings, the Orioles were full of praise for how Cade Povich performed in his major league debut.

“His poise, his demeanor coming in his first major league start, I was impressed,” catcher James McCann told reporters in Toronto. “He threw the ball a lot better than his final line says he did. He’s got really good stuff, and I’m looking forward to seeing his maturation process here in the big leagues.”

Manager Brandon Hyde was also complimentary. “Only a few pitches probably he wants back. I thought he threw the ball great,” he said.

Povich, a 24-year-old left-hander, started strong but was undone by two walks and a three-run home run by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the third inning in the Orioles 6-5 loss to Toronto at Rogers Centre on Thursday.

After retiring seven of his first eight batters, Povich (0-1) walked Ernie Clement with one out in the third. Danny Jansen walked with two outs, and Guerrero homered.

Toronto (30-32) scored in the fourth when Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s singled and scored on Dalton Varsho’s double. On Kiner-Falefa’s ball, second baseman Connor Norby and rightfielder Anthony Santander nearly collided, and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle chased Varsho’s ball, and it fell between Mountcastle and Santander.

“A bad-luck hit in shallow right field,” Hyde called Varsho’s double.

Povich gave up a one-out single to Justin Turner and walked Varsho and with two outs. Clement’s single scored Turner and Varsho. Dillon Tate gave up the single. The runs were charged to Povich, who struck out two and walked four.

“I thought he threw the ball great. Good fastball, I liked his cutter,” Hyde said. “I liked the poise on the mound on the road in his first major league start. I thought he did a great job.”

Povich found out after Triple-A Norfolk’s game in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre that he was coming to the Orioles. He was told that he was going to be put on the taxi squad and was placed on the active roster on Thursday.

“I felt fully prepared, fully prepared,” Povich said. “It was a moment I was waiting for since I was a little kid. I was happy that it came, for sure.”

Povich acknowledged that he was nervous. He had 14 friends and family members traveling to Toronto to see him.

“There were definitely some nerves,” he said. “There wasn’t a lot of sleep the last couple of days. Tough to eat this morning. It’s a great experience. I’ve been told by a bunch of guys, ‘Slow it down, really try to take it all in. This only happens once.’

“I definitely stepped back and kept breathing and tried to make sure I looked around as much as possible and take it in.”

All five of the Orioles’ runs came on home runs. Adley Rutschman hit a homer against the left-handed Yusei Kikuchi (3-5) in the sixth and added a two-run shot in the eighth against Zach Pop. It was the first time the switch-hitter homered from both the right and left side in the same game. Rutschman has 12 home runs this season.

Ryan O’Hearn hit a two-run, two-out, two-strike home run against Yimi Garcia to get the Orioles (39-22) within 6-5.

The Orioles and Blue Jays split four games. Despite the loss, the day was special for Povich.

“Some stuff not going my way in the third inning,” Povich said. “I walked some guys. I haven’t done that much this year, uncharacteristic. Overall on the day, it was an awesome treat, something I’m going to proud of, and a dream come true.”

Povich replaced Kyle Bradish in the rotation. Hyde told reporters before the game that Bradish wasn’t hurt, and it isn’t known whether Povich will get another start or return to Norfolk.

“I was really impressed by him,” Hyde said. “I thought he handled everything today outstanding. You never know what you’re going to get in a debut and in a tough environment against an all right-handed, good hitting club. I thought he did fantastic.”

Notes: Hyde said that leftfielder Austin Hays, who was in noticeable pain after being hit by a pitch in the ninth inning, was being examined after the game. … Left-hander Nick Vespi was returned to Norfolk to make room for Povich. … Right-hander Thyago Vieira, was claimed off waivers by Arizona. Cole Irvin (5-2, 2.84 starts against Tampa Bay’s Aaron Civale (2-4, 5.37) in the first of a four-game series on Friday night at 6:50 at Tropicana Field.