Bradish struggles with control as Orioles drop game and series to Nationals

BALTIMORE–What happened? Kyle Bradish wanted Sunday’s game to be a continuation of his last two starts when he allowed just one run in 15 2/3 innings. He retired the first eight batters before wildness set in.

Bradish equaled a career high with five walks and allowed four runs on just one hit in the Orioles’ 6-4 loss to the Washington Nationals before 27,626 at Camden Yards.

It was the Orioles’ second straight loss to the Nationals (43-42), who won four of six games against them this season.

Keibert Ruiz and James Wood walked with two outs in the third, and Luis Garcia, Jr. hit a two-run double. Garcia scored when third baseman Coby Mayo threw wildly to first.

Bradish (5-8) walked Wood to begin the fifth, and Garcia homered against Tyler Wells. Garcia, who homered and had four hits on Saturday night, homered again in the seventh against Albert Suárez for his fifth RBI.

Bradish allowed four runs, one unearned, on one hit in four innings, walking five and striking out two.

“Bad day, didn’t really swing and miss at anything, didn’t really chase out of the zone,” Bradish said. “I wasn’t really in the zone.”

It was the fifth time Bradish had completed four innings.

“He didn’t have any feel,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Yeah, the five walks. Then the third inning, the two two-out walks were big. Yeah, he just didn’t have command. He battled and competed, but he just couldn’t get count leverage or just dominate the strike zone like he usually does.”

The Orioles (39-46) took a 2-0 lead against Washington starter Zack Littell in the first on Pete Alonso’s 19^th home run.

Littell (7-6) gave up two runs on three hits in five innings.

Jackson Holliday hit his fifth home run against Mitchell Parker in the seventh to cut the lead to 6-4.

Richard Lovelady recorded the last out of the seventh. P.J. Poulin pitched two hitless innings for his third save.

Centerfielder Colton Cowser kept the score close with three excellent  plays. With runners on first and second and two outs in the fourth, Cowser made a long running catch on Ruiz’s drove. In the fifth, Cowser leaped and robbed Dylan Crews of a two-run home run. He ended the sixth throwing out Ruiz when he tried to turn a single into a double.

“It’s something that I’ve really worked on,” Cowser said of his defense. “I think it’s something — you can contribute out there, even if you’re not contributing at the plate. And so, it’s something I take a lot of pride in.”

The Orioles acquired right-hander Yosver Zulueta off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. Zulueta, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, was 1-0 with a 5.32 ERA in 19 games for Cincinnati in 2024 and 2025.

Will Henderson ever get started? In his last four games, Gunnar Henderson is 1-for-19, and his average is .221 with a .701 OPS.

“It’s just been, I don’t even know how to describe it,” Henderson said. “Probably one of the most frustrating things I’ve ever been through. I mean, come in and work my butt off every day, and like you said, I mean, I know it’s not a — you don’t want to think about results, but it’s hard not to when crap doesn’t show up for so long.”

Albernaz is also puzzled about Henderson.

“Gunnar is, like we’ve talked about, just not getting the results he wants,” Albernaz said. “That’s it. I mean, he had great swings today … It’s just, nothing’s falling for him right now.”

How did Rutschman feel? Adley Rutschman was activated after spending nine days on the concussion injured list. Rutschman was running to first base when he was hit by a throw in the ninth inning of the Orioles’ June 18^th game in Seattle.

“Yeah, first couple days were tough, but started trending after a couple days and just did the return-to-activity stuff and was thankful to be in there today,” Rutschman said.

Rutschman caught and was 1-for-3. Samuel Basallo started at first base for the first time this season.

“It was definitely a different feeling,” Rutschman said. “Never had a concussion before. Had a lot of hard hits in high school football and being behind the plate, but nothing quite like that. So, it’s a little different sensation — it was really weird, to be honest — but just glad to be back.”

Why was Jeremiah Jackson optioned? To make room for Rutschman and outfielder Dylan Beavers, who was on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, the Orioles optioned utility player Jeremiah Jackson, who’s played mostly second base this season to Triple-A Norfolk. They also designated catcher Sam Huff for assignment.

“The hardest part about the job is those decisions and those conversations,” Albernaz said. “With J.J., he has an option. Holliday plays second base. Get him there, get him more regular reps in Triple-A. The thought process was to carry the third catcher with Adley coming back from the concussion list. Then also, with Sammy too, both of those guys are always in the lineup.

“It’s just getting some coverage behind the plate if something happens. With J.J., it was nothing on performance. It was one of those things with looking at the roster, he was just a casualty of it.”

For now, the Orioles are also keeping Chadwick Tromp as a third catcher. Jackson can be recalled in 10 days.

What does it mean? If the Orioles are going to turn their season around, Bradish needs to be more efficient than he was.

What’s the stat of the day? 6. Holliday has six home runs against left-handed pitchers in 221 at-bats.

What’s the word? “They did it in ’24 whenever they were flying over, and I was talking about it, and I was like, ‘I think it would be really sick to hit a home run as the planes fly by.’ And I’ve been talking about it for a while. And I had no idea the planes were coming, I just know I barely missed that ball, and then the planes flew. So I was like, ‘Dang, that was my opportunity.’ But that’s all right.”-Cowser on batting with the Blue Angels flying by.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Triple-A Norfolk was held to one hit in a 7-0 loss to Durham in the first game of a doubleheader. Nestor German allowed four runs on five hits in four innings.

Rightfielder Jud Fabian left the game after a collision on defense.

Four Norfolk pitchers combined to limit to three hits in a 2-1 win in the second game.

Yasmil Bucce homered in High-A Frederick’s 4-2 loss to Wilmington.

Double-A Chesapeake’s game with Harrisburg was rained out.

What’s next? The Orioles will open a three-game series against the vastly improved Chicago White Sox (43-39) on Monday night. Shane Baz (4-8, 4.31) will start against Sean Burke (5-4, 3.71) at 6:35.

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