Orioles explode for 12-1 win, series win over Dodgers

LOS ANGELES–What happened? After two eventful games, a deflating loss and a narrow win against the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, the Orioles had a joyful Sunday with a 12-1 win before 50,215 at Dodger Stadium.

Series wins against a team as a good as the Dodgers (49-29) are rare, as are 12-run wins.

On the first day of summer, the Orioles (37-42) helped make it the longest day for L.A.

The Orioles scored in each of the first four innings, leading 6-1, and added six runs in the seventh and eighth.

Colton Cowser drove in four runs with his eighth home run and two singles.

Pete Alonso hit a three-run home run, his 18^th. Taylor Ward hit his fourth homer, and Blaze Alexander had a two-run homer, his third, among his three hits.

“It’s what our offense is capable of,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “It was great to see these guys show up, especially after a tough Game 1 here, and how they bounce back. Even yesterday, it got a little gnarly in the ninth, but the guys came out ready to play. Great at-bats all around. Big days from Pete, Gunnar, Ward, Blaze, Cowser. It was really fun to watch. Great at-bat quality, great swings, it was a great offensive output.”

Oriole starter Brandon Young (6-2) allowed one run on five hits in five innings.

Grant Wolfram and Keegan Akin combined for four hitless innings.

The 11-run margin of victory was the largest of the season.

On Friday night, Orioles blew a 5-3 lead in the ninth and lost, 6-5, after coming back from a 3-0 deficit. On Saturday, they gave the Dodgers two extra outs in the ninth but hung on for a 3-2 win. On Sunday, they rolled.

“Obviously, it’s nice, but also needed, for sure,” Alonso said. “I think it shows a lot of this team’s character, but also the team’s ceiling. Because for us, the way that we played not just these two days, but Game 1, where if we played cleaner baseball that ninth inning, we could be walking out of here with a sweep.”

The Orioles are 3-3 on their West Coast trip They lost two of three in Seattle and after winning two of three against the Dodgers, they’ll make the short trip to Anaheim for three games with the Los Angeles Angels.

How important was the breakout offense? This was the fifth time the Orioles scored 10 or more runs, but they haven’t been consistent. They’re two games out of the final wild-card spot, and Alonso thinks the team is ready to finally go on a roll.

“Just think the nature of the point of the season, because we’re kind of creeping up on the halfway point here, we’re probably a couple games out of the halfway point,” Alonso said.

“And for us, now’s the time. This has to be the time.”

How vital has Brandon Young been? The 27-year-old right-hander continues to pitch well.

“One run’s great against that lineup,” Young said. “It was electric out there. Getting to throw first time here on Father’s Day is special. I’m really proud of the team. It’s nice to beat some [butt] sometimes, honestly. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

Albernaz took him out after five. Young had thrown 95 pitches. He had thrown six straight quality starts but fell an inning short.

“He wasn’t as sharp as he has been, but he did a great job of keeping us in it and keeping that tough offense to only one run,” he said. “Giving us five innings, I think as his pitch count was getting up there, especially like the third inning, fourth inning, I was getting a little bit uncomfortable if he could get through five.

“But he did a great job of bearing down and getting through five for us. It’s a great sign for BY, just knowing that his command wasn’t the best, but he was still able to hold them to one and get through five.”

What does it mean? Albernaz says beating the Dodgers is important. “They’re a great team, back-to-back defending champs. They have a lot of great players over there, well managed and coached, and it’s tough to play in Dodger Stadium. Our boys did a great job of coming out and competing. That’s what we can show. We can show that we can play with anyone. Now the real task is being consistent.”

What’s the stat of the day? 10-2. The Orioles are 10-2 when Young starts.

What’s the word? “Really good day from us at the plate. I feel like we made them work from the start there. Couldn’t have asked for a better day for us.”-Cowser on the Orioles’ offense.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? In his first rehab start, Dean Kremer, who’s been on the 60-day injured list with a strained right quadriceps muscle, allowed one run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings in Triple-A Norfolk’s 5-3 loss to Syracuse.

Kremer struck out five and walked two. He threw 66 pitches, 38 strikes.

Enrique Bradfield Jr. drove in two runs.

Cade Povich, who’s been on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit in his first rehab start in Double-A Chesapeake’s 8-0 win over Richmond.

Povich struck out three without walking a batter, throwing 43 pitches, 34 strikes.

Sebastian Gongora pitched five shutout innings, allowing two hits.

Aron Estrada homered and drove in five runs. Douglas Hodo homered twice.

Dylan Beavers, who’s on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique muscle, was hitless in five at-bats.

High-A Frederick beat Hub City, 8-5, hitting four home runs. RJ Austin, Yasmil Bucce, Brylin Tavera and Victor Figueroa homered. Bucce has homered in three straight games. Figueroa’s was his 20^th.

Single-A Delmarva lost to Myrtle Beach, 7-2. Edwin Garcia hit a two-run home run.

What’s next? The Orioles travel down to Anaheim to begin a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night at 9:38. Kyle Bradish (4-7, 4.00) will start against left-hander Sam Aldegheri (2-3, 4.50).

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