SAN DIEGO–What happened? The Orioles waited a long time for Tyler Wells to return from reconstructive right elbow surgery. He didn’t disappoint.
For the second time in the last six days, an Orioles starter returned from a lengthy absence and delivered a worthy performance.
Wells allowed two runs on five hits in five innings as the Orioles beat the San Diego Padres, 6-2, before 42,536 at Petco Park on Tuesday night.
The 31-year-old right-hander earned his first win since July 8th, 2023. Wells (1-0) struck out four without walking a batter.
“He looked good. He kind of looked like himself in a lot of ways — the five pitches, the cutter, slider, curve, changeup, four-seamer,” Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “Throwing them really wherever he wanted, the command was pretty much the same, which is kind of his calling card, but also, I think you also have to appreciate it a little bit considering coming off the extensive layoff and the Tommy John surgery. So I’m really happy for Tyler. He looked great.”
Mansolino factored in the caliber of the opponent.
“It seems like every lineup we’re facing right now is pretty difficult,” he said. “I don’t feel like there’s been a whole lot of layups here lately. But, yeah, it’s a major league lineup that’s going to contend for a World Series title, and for ‘T’ to kind of come out and do this his first time out, it’s pretty impressive.”
Kyle Bradish, who had Tommy John surgery last June, has pitched twice since coming off the 60-day injured list a week ago and has also been impressive.
Wells’ only trouble came in the third when leftfielder Dylan Beavers misplayed Freddy Fermin’s fly ball to left for a double, and Luis Arraez hit a two-run home run in the third.
The Orioles took a 1-0 lead on Jeremiah Jackson’s fourth home run, his second in two days, with one out in the first. Jackson has a 13-game hitting streak, longest by an Orioles rookie since Colton Cowser’s 17-game streak last season.
Wells hoped for more runs, but the Orioles left the bases loaded in the first in an 18-minute inning.
“If you go back you probably see me pacing around the dugout just trying to keep it going,” he said. “Actually, it’s surprising as to how calm I was. I definitely thought I was going to have much more of an adrenaline rush, but I think that helped contribute to the success tonight with just being calm, cool and collected. But the first inning definitely, it was, that felt like an eternity.”
The Orioles (63-76) won for the second straight time against the Padres (76-63). It’s the first time they’ve won consecutive games since August 17th-19th when they won three straight.
If you’re looking for small victories, the 63rd win ensures the Orioles won’t have a 100-loss season, but they’ll need to conclude the season 18-5 to avoid a losing season.
Emmanuel Rivera matched a career high with four RBIs with a pair of two-run singles in the third and fifth.
San Diego starter Yu Darvish (3-5) allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits in four-plus innings.
In the third, Rivera’s single scored Ryan Mountcastle and Cowser for a 3-0 lead. His fifth-inning single drove in Gunnar Henderson and Mountcastle.
The last few weeks are important for Rivera, who is hoping to return to the Orioles in 2026, or make a good impression for other teams.
“I think wanting to come in every single day, ready to compete and working hard and most importantly, do what you can to stay healthy,” he said through the team translator.
Shawn Dubin pitched a scoreless sixth. Kade Strowd walked the bases loaded, and Rico Garcia struck out Arraez and retired Manny Machado on a forceout to end the seventh.
Jackson’s infield out scored Beavers in the eighth to give the Orioles a 6-2 lead.
Albert Suárez pitched for the first time since March 28th and threw two scoreless innings to close out the win.
“It feels great. To be able to help the team, and to be healthy and ready, feeling normal, that’s the best feeling ever,” Suárez said. “I mean, I was ready in the bullpen. We talked about it before, they told me I might be coming early in the game or late in the game. So I was just ready to go anytime, for any situation.”
How important was the win to Wells? The team has changed radically since Wells last pitched for the Orioles. He hadn’t played with five of the nine position players.
“I think it’s kind of a testament to the way that I think of the game is like just giving the team an opportunity to win,” Wells said. “And coming into a big playoff team like the Padres are right now and getting to compete against guys that I’m pretty familiar. I mean, it’s cool. It’s definitely something that I’m not going to take for granted.”
Wells was excited to pitch for the first time in front of his 5-month-old daughter Ava.
“It’s something that you can’t really put into words,” he said. “It’s one of those things where she’ll never remember it. She’s probably too young. But at the end of the day, I think it’s probably the most special thing in my heart to be able to go out there and just show her that chasing dreams is kind of like, you know, I’m 31 years old now and I’m still chasing it and I’m still enjoying every second of it.
“I just hope that being the first man in her life, I hope that she sees that and can come back to this one day and just kind of see the adversity that we had between me and my wife and the whole journey of her and the pregnancy and her being born. I just hope that she can look back and really cherish that.”
\What does it mean? Wells’ first start was strong and gives the Orioles optimism that he can again be a vital part of the rotation.
What’s the stat of the day? Wells is the 67th Oriole to play for the team this year, extending the team’s record for most players used in a season. They’re three away from equaling Miami’s major league record of 70, set last season
What’s the word? “You just kind of replay it in your head and just kind of, like, take a deep breath and getting all the hugs from the guys and just all the welcome backs. It was really special.”–Wells on how important the moment was.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Vimael Machin drove in three runs as Triple-A Norfolk lost to Nashville, 4-3.
Thomas Sosa homered and drove in three runs in his first game for Double-A Chesapeake in its 5-1 win over Harrisburg.
Wellington Aracena allowed two runs, one unearned, in six innings as High-A Aberdeen beat Wilmington, 4-2.
Twine Palmer allowed eight runs, seven earned, on 10 hits in four innings as Lynchburg beat Single-A Delmarva, 13-2.
What’s next? The Orioles end their West Coast trip against San Diego. Cade Povich (2-7, 5.04) will face Nestor Cortes (1-2, 3.75) at 4:10 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: [email protected]
