Povich impresses but lacks support in Orioles’ 5-1 loss to Red Sox

BALTIMORE- What happened? Cade Povich took the mound to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” and noticed the Oriole Park crowd singing along. He left the game with one out in the seventh, the longest start of his career, in a 1-1 tie.

Unfortunately, Yennier Cano allowed a two-run double by Jarren Duran three batters after Povich left, and Burch Smith, working for the third game in a row, gave up Rafael Devers’ two-run home run in the eighth in a 5-1 Orioles loss to the Boston Red Sox.

The Orioles scored 10 runs on 17 hits in a 12-10 loss on Friday night and had just five hits on Saturday night.

The Orioles remain one game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.

Brayan Bello no-hit the Orioles for 5 2/3 innings until Gunnar Henderson hit his 32^nd home run.

“Well, he’s just really good,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s got a sinker that he throws to both sides of the plate that’s firm. He’s got a great changeup, and he can throw his slider — he threw [Ryan Mountcastle] some sliders, threw some sliders to our lefties, as well.

“He’s got good command, he walked a few but he’s always a ground ball away because of the good sinker. He’s got a really good changeup, as well.”

Adley Rutschman, who missed Friday night’s game with low back discomfort, pinch-hit for James McCann and caught the last two innings.

What was better about Povich? Povich was called up so that Albert Suárez could get an extra day’s rest, and though he’s heading back to Triple-A Norfolk, according to an industry source, he made a strong impression.

He allowed two runs on six hits, striking out six without walking a batter.

“Just trying to give the team a chance,” Povich said. “I think just going down, working on some things, and coming up here and executing that. Definitely something to build off.”

Hyde was impressed.

“I thought he had a really good changeup,” Hyde said. “I thought he was ultra-aggressive in the strike zone. It was great to see him throw multiple pitches for strikes and really attacking them. That was awesome to see. Bello pitched great, [Povich] pitched great. It was great to see the command from Cade tonight and how he attacked hitters.”

As Povich left the field to a nice ovation from the 38,921 fans, which included a number of Red Sox rooters, he heard “Piano Man” again.

“It was super cool,” he said. “Obviously been up and down, had some struggles up here overall with the last few starts, so having another opportunity to come up here and coming into the seventh and then leaving. That crowd, I had the chills coming off a little bit. Still kind of in game mode, but I guess a little bit trying to fight off a smile. It was special.”

Povich tried to adopt a new identity for this start.

“Different kind of alter ego,” he said. “I think the other games were Cade, and I went down and talked to some people [about] mental stuff. Some of the guys down here call me ‘Slim,’ so I kind of took that attitude into this game, different mindset, different person, someone that’s going to be aggressive and attack early and as long as I’m in the game.”

What’s next for Kimbrel? Reliever Craig Kimbrel, who’s lost the closer’s job to Seranthony Dominguez, needs to get work to improve. He didn’t pitch on Saturday night.

“I’m going to continue to try,” Hyde said. “It’s not going to do him any good not to pitch, so the situations come up, again like down a couple of runs. Ultimately, it’s up to him. This hasn’t been a real good second half for him. He had a great first half, a real good first half. He should have made the All-Star team. It’s been kind of a tough month. I hope he can turn it around.”

What does it mean? Whatever identity Povich was using, he pitched better, and if he gets more starts with the Orioles, he should have better results.

What’s the word? “I think just attacking the zone with everything, getting ahead early. Probably one of my best games as far as up here or in Triple-A as far as first-pitch strikes. When you’re able to execute early on it definitely helps out a lot.”–Povich on his philosophy for the game.

What’s the stat of the day? 50-14. The Orioles are 50-14 when Henderson scores a run.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Centerfielder Daniel Johnson hit a three-run home run in Norfolk’s 7-5 loss to Gwinnett.

Rightfielder Tavian Josenberger stole four bases, had two hits and drove in a run in Double-A Bowie’s 7-6 loss to Altoona in 11 innings. Leftfielder Dylan Beavers had three hits and an RBI.

Centerfielder Jake Cunningham had three hits in High-A Aberdeen’s 5-3 loss to Greenville.

Catcher Ethan Anderson had three hits and two RBIs as Single-A Delmarva beat Carolina, 9-3.

Catching up on some recent minor league transactions, the Orioles released right-hander Connor Loeprich, third baseman Maxwell Costes and infielder Errol Robinson.

Right-hander Logan Rinehart was transferred from Bowie to Norfolk.

What’s next? The Orioles end their four-game series with Boston and their homestand on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. Albert Suárez (5-4, 3.39) will face Kutter Crawford (8-9, 4.21).