Entering the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s Orioles-Royals game, Ryan Helsley had been impressive — a 1.93 ERA, six saves in six opportunities and only two runs allowed in 10 appearances.
Helsley was pitching the ninth inning of a tie game for the fourth time this season, and for the second time, he allowed the winning run in the Orioles’ 6-5 loss to the Kansas City.
In 22 pitches, Helsley threw just nine strikes. He walked two batters and threw two wild pitches, just the second time in his eight-year major league career, he’d done that. The second wild pitch brought home Maikel Garcia with the winning run. Helsley was facing Salvador Perez and was reluctant to throw his fastball even though he kept bouncing his breaking ball.
It was the first time Helsley threw a pair of wild pitches since September 4th, 2019.
“He didn’t have a feel for pretty much anything,” manager Craig Albernaz told reporters in Kansas City.
Helsley walked Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. to begin the inning, then struck out Vinny Pasquantino on a wild pitch that allowed the runners to move up a base.
With Perez at bat, Helsley bounced a curveball in front of the plate that caromed off the back-handed attempt of catcher Adley Rutschman, bouncing into fair territory in front of the plate. The alert Garcia raced home with the winning run.
It was an imperfect night for two of the most reliable relievers in Albernaz’s bullpen.
Rico Garcia, who had not allowed a run or a hit in his first 11 appearances, gave up an eighth-inning home run to the first batter he faced, Michael Massey, that tied the score, 5-5, after Rutschman had hit a two-run homer in the top of the inning to put the Orioles in front, 5-4.
In the offseason, the Orioles signed slugging first baseman Pete Alonso, and traded for outfielder Tyler Ward and starting pitcher Shane Baz. Those moves were talked about often.
The signing of Helsley was not.
Helsley, who signed a two-year $28 million contract with an opt-out after this season, was a quieter transaction. The Orioles needed a closer for 2026 because Félix Bautista will miss most, if not all, of this season after labrum and rotator cuff surgery in August 2025.
After Bautista, who had an exceptional five months in 2023 had Tommy John surgery that October, the Orioles needed another closer and signed veteran Craig Kimbrel. That signing worked out well for a half-season.
Kimbrel, who’s now 37 and on his 10th major league team, the New York Mets, had 23 saves and a 2.80 ERA at the All-Star break. After the break, Kimbrel imploded and had a 10.59 ERA and was released before the end of the season.
Even counting Tuesday night’s subpar performance, Helsley appears to be an upgrade. The Orioles’ bullpen began the game with a 3.50 ERA, eighth best in baseball.
The 31-year-old right-hander was anointed as the closer when he signed. Some of the other relievers expected to surround Helsley haven’t been available.
Left-hander Keegan Akin hasn’t yet pitched for the Orioles because of a strained left groin muscle he suffered on March 21st. Akin is still rehabbing at Triple-A Norfolk. On Tuesday night, Akin pitched a scoreless 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out one. Akin has a 3.00 ERA in four rehab games.
Besides Akin, right-hander Andrew Kittredge, another anticipated key piece in the bullpen, has yet to pitch this season. He’s been on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Kittredge, who paused his rehab to return home to celebrate the birth of his third child, has a 16.62 ERA in five games.
Left-hander Dietrich Enns, who pitched well in the last two months of 2025, is rehabbing from an infection in his left foot. He allowed two runs on two hits in 1 1/3 innings, striking out two on Tuesday. Enns has a 7.71 ERA in two games.
Fortunately for the Orioles Grant Wolfram, the only left-hander currently on the staff, and right-hander Anthony Nunez have been excellent.
Nunez was a surprise addition to the team before Opening Day. He was optioned to minor league camp in early March and brought back once the team returned to Baltimore.
The 24-year-old right-hander, who was elevated to the 40-man roster for the first time in November, was acquired from the New York Mets for centerfielder Cedric Mullins last July.
Nunez got his first major league win in the Orioles’ exciting 7-5 win over the Royals on Monday night.
While these less experienced bullpen arms have surprised, Helsley has been steady and at times spectacular with a 100-mph fastball and an effective splitter.
His other bad outing came on April 4th when Helsley entered a 2-2 tie in the ninth and allowed the winning run to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Helsley pitched the last two games, so he’ll be unavailable for Wednesday’s game against the Royals. Garcia and Wolfram are also likely to be off limits.
Perhaps Yennier Cano, who’s quietly compiled a 1.23 ERA, allowing just four hits and one walk in 7 1/3 innings, will be Albernaz’s closer on Wednesday. He also could try Nunez, who’s struck out 13 and walked two in 11 1/3 innings.
Note: Albernaz told reporters that second baseman Jackson Holliday, who left Triple-A Norfolk’s game with right hand discomfort, was heading to Baltimore for an MRI. Holliday, who had surgery to remove the hamate bone from his right wrist in February, was in his first game with Norfolk in his second rehab stint and struck out on a foul tip in the first inning. He was in noticeable pain after the swing.
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