Holliday’s clutch hit, Cowser’s hustle, shutdown bullpen lead Orioles to 2nd straight thrilling win

BALTIMORE What happened? Jackson Holliday was 0-for-20, with nine strikeouts when manager Brandon Hyde called his name to pinch-hit in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and the Orioles trailing, 2-0.

The 20-year-old responded with a first-pitch, three-run double that lifted the Orioles to their second straight comeback win over the Houston Astros.

On Friday night, Anthony Santander hit a grand slam in the eighth inning to power the Orioles to a dramatic 7-5 win.

“Jackson came through in a big way,” Hyde said. “What a huge hit for us. Great swing. Totally under control. Just an awesome offensive inning from us and great hit by him.”

Keegan Akin, Yennier Cano and Seranthony Dominguez combined to pitch 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, striking out five without a walk.

With the win and the New York Yankees’ 9-2 loss to Colorado, the Orioles cut New York’s lead in the American League East to ½ game.

How is Holliday handling his second big struggle? In Holliday’s first stint in the major leagues, he was 2-for-34 in April, and despite many more hits in his second, he was hitless in his last 20 at-bats before Saturday’s big hit.

“Not really thinking too much about it,” Holliday said. “I’ve hit some balls hard and just kind of not had great luck. So, just sticking to my approach and just tinkering with little things but not overthinking it. Obviously, the game is really hard and guys are really good and that happens. So, just going out there each night and competing.”

Hyde didn’t start Holliday on Saturday against Houston left-hander Framber Valdez. He got his chance when the Astros brought in reliever Tayler Scott, who struck out Holliday on Friday. Holliday was ready on Saturday.

“Like most young hitters, going through struggles, they just try to do a little bit more,” Hyde said. “I felt like he just tried to do a little bit less on that swing, just take a really, really good pass at the baseball on a pitch that he can handle, and that’s what he did.”

Holliday enjoys playing the golf arcade game, “Golden Tee,” which he played at Norfolk, and now will play in Baltimore because the manufacturer sent one to Camden Yards.

“My dad actually texted me and said that he was also playing at the house. So, I guess he’s going to be stuck there for three hours a night,” Holliday said.

How important is Cowser’s speed? For the second straight game, Colton Cowser’s speed played an integral part in the big inning. On Friday, he scampered off third and quickly retreated on Gunnar Henderson’s grounder back to the pitcher. Cowser just beat the throw back to third, and the bases were loaded. Santander followed with a game-winning grand slam.

On Saturday, Cowser made a headfirst dive into first base for an infield single, again loading the bases. Holliday followed with his three-run double.

“Obviously, Cowser getting first right there sliding in is what got to that moment,” Holliday said.

“Unbelievable hustle,” Hyde said. “Even though he’s 6-4, he can move. He sniffed that hit the whole way and awesome, awesome slide.”

Cowser has excellent speed, and he showed off his baseball intelligence.

“It’s important. Actually Gunnar, who is looking at me right now, we have not necessarily a battle but he always gives me a hard time because I hadn’t hit 30 feet per second yet,” Cowser said. “I hit it [Friday]. I think it’s something that can change the game, and I’m just going to continue to work.”

How did Suárez throw? Albert Suárez allowed two runs—home runs to Jose Altuve and Jeremy Peña—on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He kept the Orioles in the game while Valdez was shutting down the Orioles.

“He gave us a great chance to win that game,” Hyde said.

“They have a good team. They’re aggressive,” Suárez said. “As a pitcher, you have to mix, you have to make sure you put the ball where you want to be, otherwise you pay the price. And that’s what happened with me on those two pitches. But like I said, you stay focused, and hopefully we can get good results.”

How important have the last two wins been? “We have been missing the big hit,” Hyde said. “When you’re not getting the big hit, you keep continually getting asked, ‘What’s wrong with runners in scoring position? You guys can’t get hits. Is there a drill that you can do?’ There’s not a drill.

“It’s slowing the game down, honestly, and getting some confidence, and not trying to do too much. Hopefully, Santander’s hit last night, Jackson’s hit today, that keep-the-line-moving, both of those were those types of innings. We’ve been missing that and, hopefully, we can continue to do that.”

What does it mean? Despite a myriad of injuries to their starting pitchers, the Orioles have managed two exciting comeback wins in the last two games against one of the hottest teams in baseball. There don’t appear to be any dominant teams in the major leagues, just a lot of good ones, and the Orioles are one of them.

What’s the word? “Well, I’ve been here. I’ve been here before and, obviously, it’s not great but just that experience the first time is helpful.”-Holliday on the difficulty of his 0-for-20 skid.

What’s the stat of the day? 10 2/3. Very quietly, the Orioles’ bullpen has combined for 10 2/3 scoreless innings with four hits over the last three games.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Centerfielder Austin Overn had four hits in Single-A Delmarva’s 3-2 loss to Down East.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

Right-hander Ryan Long was transferred from Norfolk to Double-A Bowie while right-hander Daniel Lloyd was transferred from Bowie to High-A Aberdeen. Right-hander Evan Yates moves from the Florida Complex League Orioles to Aberdeen. .

What’s next? Dean Kremer (6-9, 4.30) will start against Yusel Kikuchi (6-9, 4.37) on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” at 7:10 p.m.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com