Another bad night for Sugano in Orioles’ 10-5 loss to Guardians

CLEVELAND–What happened? With the trade deadline now just nine days away, contenders are closely watching the Orioles, seeing if any of them could potentially provide a boost to their postseason hopes.

Tomoyuki Sugano did nothing to prove himself a worthy trade chip on Monday night. He labored through 3 2/3 innings, throwing 90 pitches, allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits, and walking a season-high four batters in the Orioles’ 10-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians before 21,748 at Progressive Field.

After Sugano was staked to a 3-0 lead in the first, that lead was gone in a flash when José Ramirez,’ Cleveland’s No. 3 hitter, hit a three-run home run.

Sugano has an 8.05 ERA in the first inning.

“The velocity on the fastball was good,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “Just couldn’t really command the ball the way we’ve seen him when he’s at his best, and a good team like the Guardians were able to take advantage of that.”

In the bottom of the second, the Guardians loaded the bases with none out, but Sugano pitched out of trouble.

After Ramón Laureano hit a two-run home run, his 12^th, against Tanner Bibee to give the Orioles a 5-4 lead, Sugano retired the first two Cleveland batters in the fourth, but Ramírez reached on an error by first baseman Ryan O’Hearn before a walk to Kyle Manzardo and an RBI single by Carlos Santana.

“Overall, just didn’t have good command today, and hitters were hitting it really well,” Sugano said through his translator. “You know, after the first inning, I felt like I had it going on, but just, overall, didn’t have good enough command.”

Sugano’s ERA, which was 2.72 on May 9^th, has risen sharply to 4.54. He’s failed to complete five innings in five of his last seven starts.

With a $13 million salary, the Orioles might have to eat some of his salary to find a suitor, but that’s not Sugano’s mindset.

“Not at all. I really want to stay with this team and win with this team,” he said. “I had that mentality going into this game today as well. So, moving forward, same thing. I want to continue to play for this team as long as I can.”

What happened after Sugano left? Corbin Martin struck out Nolan Jones to end the fourth but gave up a two-out home run to Bo Naylor to tie it at 5 in the fifth.

Manzardo homered against Colin Selby (0-1) to lead off the sixth, and after Santana and Jones singled, and Jones stole second, the Orioles’ defense prevented another run from scoring, and Cleveland led, 6-5, after six.

Grant Wolfram allowed four runs in the seventh on two bases-loaded walks and a two-run single by Brayan Rocchio. Mansolino chose to intentionally walk Ramírez to load the bases with none out, and even though the Orioles got two outs, the game fell apart for them.

“He was close to getting through that thing, and the thing kind of blew up for us,” Mansolino said. “Just a tough night.”

It could have been even worse for the Orioles, but Cleveland left 15 runners on base and were just 3-for-20 with runners in scoring position.

The Orioles’ offensive highlight came in the first inning when Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson began the game with singles against Tanner Bibee (6-9), and all scored. Holliday came in on Henderson’s single. Laureano, who drove in four runs, scored Westburg and Henderson on a single, giving the Orioles a temporary 3-0 lead.

The Orioles (44-55) had just one hit in the final 6 1/3 innings. Bibee allowed five runs, three earned, on seven hits in seven innings.

They’ve lost five of six games after winning six of seven.

Is the trade deadline on the Orioles’ mind? Laureano has a $6.5 million option, which could be a factor on whether he’s traded. He certainly would be an excellent addition to a contender.

“Here, nothing has really changed here inside, but obviously you think about it with your name out there, whatever,” Laureano said. “Your parents send you stuff, whatever. But it is what it is, part of the game. It’s part of the season that we’re in and it’s not the first time I’ve seen my name and I’ve never really gotten traded.”

What does it mean? Sugano has had only one strong start in his last seven, and it seems his time with the Orioles is nearing an end.

What’s the stat of the day? After drawing a walk in 172 consecutive games, the Orioles haven’t drawn a walk in three of their last five games.

What’s the word? “We lost some close games, blew some close games here, unfortunately, but when I watch the guys out there, I feel like they’re competing. I think if we compete regardless of who we have, we’ll be just fine.”-Mansolino on the Orioles’ recent play.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Vinny Nittoli, a right-handed reliever who opted out of his minor league contract with Milwaukee, is signing a minor league contract with the Orioles, according to an industry source. Nittoli pitched four scoreless innings with the Orioles last season. The news was first reported by MASNSports.com.

What’s next? Brandon Young (0-4, 7.52) will face Joey Cantillo (1-0, 4.17) on Tuesday night.

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