Orioles’ missed scoring chances send them to 9th loss in 12 games

BALTIMORE- What happened? While the Orioles suffered their ninth loss in 12 games, their biggest shortcoming wasn’t the lack of quality at-bats, it was failure to capitalize on their scoring chances.

The Orioles were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position in their 5-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night. They fell five games behind the New York Yankees, who clinched a playoff berth with a 2-1, 10-inning win over the Seattle Mariners.

“I thought the encouraging thing with tonight’s game a little bit is that you know I thought our at-bats were better,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I thought we created more traffic, I thought we walked. Now, we’re just waiting for some breaks offensively and a chopper to get through, something off the label to fall onto the outfield grass. But we gave ourself opportunity tonight, so I thought our at-bats were better.”

Dean Kremer allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits in six innings, striking out seven without walking a batter.

The Giants scored three runs against Kremer in the fourth. James McCann failed to touch home plate with the bases loaded on a tapper to Kremer by Grant McCray, failing to get a forceout.

“As a catcher, you’re feeling, the plate’s ground level, so you’re not really feeling it, especially with spikes,” Hyde said. “And I think that he came out a little bit, maybe a half inch too far, unfortunately, and it’s just unfortunate.”

What was better about the offense? The Orioles have scored 24 runs in 12 games, but Hyde thinks they’re showing some life.

“I thought we did create some traffic and make it tough, had the middle of the order up in a big spot and tonight it just didn’t happen,” he said.

Colton Cowser singled and scored the Orioles’ third run in the sixth, and flied out to left with the bases loaded in the seventh, the team’s final chance with runners on.

“I felt like we had good at-bats all night,” Cowser said. “I just think we’re missing that big hit right now. I felt like we strung together some good ones throughout the night, and I think the mindset going forward is just to get it to the next guy.”

The Orioles continue to be frustrated by the losing, falling four games below .500 in the second half.

“Unfortunately I don’t think there’s a specific answer right now,” Cowser said. “We’re going to continue to take it one pitch at a time and continue to try to stack good at-bats together as a lineup. I think momentum is something that just kind of happens.

“You can’t really force it because that’s when guys start pressing and you struggle even more. I think this last month or so, I think you’ve kind of seen guys try to force it, and I think it’s just something that comes natural. I have all the faith in the world in this team, and just kind of looking forward to when we do get it going.”

Cowser hasn’t been through an entire major league season, nor a playoff chase.

“I wouldn’t say challenging,” Cowser said. “I would just say more it’s kind of an unknown, if that makes any sense. I’m learning as I’m going, and I think a lot of the guys are on this team. But that’s kind of when you have to rely and lean on the veteran leadership, the guys that have been here and done this. So I’d say the best way to sum it up is just learning as you go, and, hopefully, it makes you better for it in the future.”

How did Kremer pitch? Kremer allowed Mike Yastrzemski’s second leadoff home run in as many days, Michael Conforto’s home run leading off the sixth and three runs in the fourth.

One run scored when McCann failed to touch the plate, and two scored on Casey Schmitt’s single.

“The saying is, ‘Solo’s don’t kill you.’ If I’m giving up homers and they’re just solos, so be it,” Kremer said. “And then the big inning, I didn’t do a good enough job of limiting damage. Balls got put in a play a little bit too hard and just out of the reach of some fielders.

“They were swinging. If it was in the zone, they were swinging. They weren’t taking very many pitches that were in the zone. I don’t know how many called strikes I had versus swinging strikes or foul balls or whatever. But they’re looking to put the ball in play, that’s their game.”

Kremer was asked if he thought an Orioles turnaround is near. He hesitated before saying:

“I hope so. I think a lot of guys are starting to feel themselves out,” Kremer said. “Guys are getting a little bit more confidence at the plate, with the glove, with the ball in their hand. We’re doing our best.”

What does it mean? The Orioles had an emotional day, cutting ties with veteran closer Craig Kimbrel, and while they were more competitive than they have been in some recent games, they are missing the big hit and big inning.

What’s the word? “We don’t need the fans, the media, the TV or whatever to tell us it’s not going right. We know it’s not going right. Finding a way to stay positive, finding a way to find silver linings. All that matters at the end of the day, is if you’re hot in October.-James McCann on the Orioles’ slump.

What’s the stat of the day? 4. The Orioles lost their fourth straight series for the first time since September 2021.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Danny Coulombe threw just eight pitches, allowing a hit and retiring two batters, striking out one, in his third rehab outing in the first game of a doubleheader for Triple-A Norfolk in its 2-1 win over Nashville in the first game of a doubleheader.

Chayce McDermott, who had been on the injured list with a scapula injury, pitched three hitless innings, striking out five and walking three.

Catcher Samuel Basallo drove in three runs with a home run and double in the Tides’ 8-7 win in the second game.

Leftfielder Dylan Beavers, who was promoted from Double-A Bowie, drove in the winning run with a single.

Infielders Ramón Urías and Jordan Westburg will begin rehab assignments with Norfolk on Thursday.

What’s next? Zach Eflin (10-9, 3.56) will face Logan Webb (12-10, 3.53) on Thursday at 1:05 p.m.

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