Orioles blow 4-run lead in 8th, suffer painful 7-6 loss in 10 to Mets

BALTIMORE–What happened? The Orioles seemed to be on their way to their fourth straight win and a move to eight games under .500 for the first time since May 6^th.

After a four-run sixth inning against an old nemesis Clay Holmes, and a four-run lead, Bryan Baker allowed two-run home runs to Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso in the eighth, enabling the New York Mets to tie the score.

Yennier Cano gave up a run in the 10^th, and the Orioles had a painful 7-6 loss to the Mets before 35,200 on Hawaiian Shirt Night at Camden Yards on Tuesday night.

Juan Soto’s single drove in Lindor in the 10^th against Cano (1-5).

“Any loss is disappointing, especially [how] tonight was a battle back and forth like that and we didn’t come out on top,” Ryan O’Hearn said.

“I think the at-bats were pretty good against some good pitching and that one big inning was awesome.”

The Orioles got a terrific five innings from Brandon Young, who struck out the side on nine pitches in the fifth inning, the first immaculate inning for an Oriole since Kevin Gausman’s on April 23^rd, 2018.

Young had a 1-0 lead after five, but after he allowed a leadoff home run to Ronny Mauricio and back-to-back doubles by Brett Baty and Brandon Nimmo, the Orioles trailed, 2-1.

He allowed two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking none.

Holmes who had an ERA of 1.11 against the Orioles in 24 1/3 innings and hadn’t allowed an earned run in 12 2/3 innings in Baltimore, gave up five runs on seven hits in five-plus innings.

The Orioles (40-50) scored four runs in the sixth on a two-run, bases-loaded double by O’Hearn and a two-run single by Ramón Laureano.

Jackson Holliday drove in two runs with a single that scored Cedric Mullins in the third and his 12^th home run in the seventh.

Gregrory Soto relieved Young in the sixth and recorded two outs. Seranthony Domínguez pitched a scoreless seventh before Baker allowed the two long balls.

“You know, they got him tonight,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said about Baker. “You think about the guys that run out there … Those are really good hitters, they’ve done that to a lot of people over the years, and unfortunately it wasn’t Bake’s night.”

Edwin Diaz (4-0) pitched a spotless ninth and Huascar Brazobán collected his second save with a perfect 10^th.

The Orioles had Holliday as the automatic runner at second to begin the 10^th. Westburg struck out. Gunnar Henderson fouled out, and O’Hearn grounded out to second.

“I think there’s been games over the last couple of weeks that we probably should have won,” O’Hearn said. “Tonight feels like one of them right now, definitely disappointing. But I’ve said it a million times, we got another one tomorrow.

“Win the next two days, we win the series and we’re going to keep fighting. We’ll be all right. So, tonight’s a tough one to swallow and in about an hour I’ll be over it and show up tomorrow ready to rock.”

How about that immaculate inning? Neither Young nor Mansolino knew in the moment about the rare feat. Catcher Chadwick Tromp, who’s on the injured list, told Young about it in the clubhouse and pitching coach Drew French told Mansolino.

“Significant? Yeah. Pretty cool, man. Pretty cool,” Young said.

Young thought he made strides with this start.

“Overall, felt good. Felt I had command of not just one or two pitches, but a couple, and kept them on their toes,” Young said. “I worked the fastball pretty good early on. I think just in the sixth, they just got on me a little bit. Made a mistake to Mauricio there, and just got to be better second, third time through the order. Feel like I’m getting better, learning a few things. Confidence builder tonight.”

What does it mean? This loss hurt more than others because a win would have given the Orioles just their second four-game winning streak of the season at a time when they’re desperately trying to win.

What’s the stat of the day? Alex Jackson became the 50^th player used by the Orioles this season, and the sixth catcher, tying the club record set in 1960, 1962 and 1986.

What’s the word? “Immaculate inning, I don’t know the last time I’ve seen that, if ever. That was pretty cool and, yeah, he had a great start. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get him the win there.”-O’Hearn on Young’s immaculate inning.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Samuel Basallo hit a three-run home run, his 17^th, and drove in four runs as Triple-A Norfolk beat Jacksonville, 9-5.

High-A Aberdeen was held to three hits and committed four errors in a 14-3 loss to Jersey Shore.

Ben Vespi allowed four runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings while striking out nine as Single-A Delmarva lost to Fayetteville, 6-2. Shortstop Luis Almeyda hit his second home run.

Catcher Silas Ardoin moved up from Chesapeake to Norfolk.

Left-handed pitcher Sebastian Gongora has been placed on Aberdeen’s 7-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation.

Right-hander Jacob Cravey moved from Delmarva to Aberdeen.

Double-A Chesapeake’s game with Reading was postponed by rain.

Catcher Cole Urman moved up from Aberdeen to Chesapeake. Right-hander Nick Richmond moved from Norfolk to Chesapeake.

What’s next? Tomoyuki Sugano (6-5, 4.44) will face David Peterson (6-4, 3.18) on Wednesday night at 7:05. The game will be shown exclusively on ESPN.

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