BALTIMORE—Shane Baz can no longer say he doesn’t get run support. The Orioles equaled their biggest inning of the season, scoring eight runs on their way to a 9-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians before 16,222 at Camden Yards on Wednesday night.
In Baz’s previous four starts, the Orioles scored eight runs.
With the win, the Orioles (71-76) moved to within three games of the Guardians (74-73) for the final wild-card spot.
After a day off on Thursday, the Orioles will open a three-game series at Toronto, which trails Cleveland by a game.
The Orioles have 15 games remaining after losing five of seven on the homestand.
“We’re still in it,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Obviously, our record is not where we want it, but we’re still in the fight. Our guys showed to be resilient pretty much every step of the way this season. Yeah, yesterday was tough, but the boys came out and responded today.”
In the eight-run third inning, 14 batters produced eight hits, two walks and one hit batsman.
Dylan Beavers had a two-run double and a run-scoring single in the inning. Leody Taveras, Jackson Holliday and Jeremiah Jackson had RBI singles. Jackson was called up before the game to replace Blaze Alexander, who’s on the 10-day injured list with lower back discomfort.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Beavers, and Rece Hinds had a sacrifice fly.
The Orioles also scored eight runs in the fifth inning in a 13-1 win against St. Louis on August 27th.
Foster Griffin (15-5) allowed eight runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings. On June 27th when Griffin was with the Washington Nationals, he allowed an unearned run on three hits in seven innings against the Orioles.
Chase DeLauter hit a two-run home run in the first off Baz (6-15). The Guardians scored three runs in the sixth to cut the lead to 8-5.
Nathaniel Lowe hit a two-run homer and Patrick Bailey had an RBI double.
Baz allowed five runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking one.
Coby Mayo hit his 22nd home run in the sixth to put the Orioles ahead 9-5.
Josh Walker recorded four outs, and after Yennier Cano allowed a single and a walk and an infield out, Rico Garcia registered two outs in the eighth. Garcia threw a scoreless ninth to secure his seventh save.
“I think when we play our best, we can beat anybody,” Beavers said. “It’s just about taking it game to game. Winning 15 games is tough, but if you try and win one game every day, it feels a lot more manageable. Next thing we’re focused on is the first game in Toronto.”
How much fun was it for Baz to get runs? “I’m just happy for the win,” Albernaz said. “That’s it. You know, we want to give every pitcher run support. Wish it was that easy where, hey, Shane’s pitching, let’s get him some runs. Wish it was that predictable.
“But Shane got out of the gates it looks like a little slow. I think the first pitch was like 90 miles an hour, but he did a great job of settling, making pitches. After the eight-run inning, he did a great job of staying on the throttle and the gas and put up zeroes and pounded the strike zone.”
Baz has never complained about the lack of run support, and enjoyed the third.
“It was great,” he said. “Just the guys did an unreal job of just having good at-bats, grinding counts, getting walks, good baserunning, the whole nine. It was awesome. It was a great inning.”
Beavers was excited about the team scoring runs behind Baz.
“We’d love to score 10 runs for every guy who throws every game,” he said. “Just so happens we don’t typically hit when he’s on the mound. So it was nice to back him up today, and in my opinion, the win-loss thing doesn’t mean too much. Obviously, we like to win, but I don’t look at his record and think of him based on his record. But it would be nice if we could score more for him.”
What’s the outlook for Henderson and Alexander? Gunnar Henderson was out with a sore left knee, just the second game he missed all season, and remains day-to-day, Albernaz said.
Alexander is eligible to return on September 19th.
“Absolutely, yeah, I think he can,” Albernaz said. “Anyone that’s dealt with anything like lower back, it’s just pretty problematic early, but with the right medication, right recovery, prehab, rehab, however you want to frame it, to get back, the low back is just tricky just because of most of the positions he plays, bending over on ground balls, going in the outfield, swinging, stealing bases, it’s a lot, but he seems to be responding today better than anticipated, so it’s all encouraging.”
What does it mean? The Orioles need to go 10-5 to finish at .500, and that record might not be good enough for a playoff spot.
What’s the stat of the day? 0-for-26. Jackson’s third-inning single snapped an 0-for-26 streak.
What’s the word? “A lot of wins. I think we just focus on winning the game at hand, winning the next game, I think a lot of good stuff happens. I think we just need to focus on every single game and give it our all with our prep, with our game plans, our work, and just give it all we got.”-Baz on what the Orioles need.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Joseph Dzierwa pitched five scoreless innings, allowing two hits, striking out four and walking one as Double-A Chesapeake hung on to beat Richmond, 8-7.
Griff O’Ferrall and Ethan Anderson homered.
Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Michael Forret, the Orioles’ No. 10 prospect, is on the 7-day injured list with left hip impingement.
What’s next? The Orioles will open a three-game series at Toronto on Friday night. Chris Bassitt (6-5, 4.96) will start for the Orioles. Toronto hasn’t named its starter. Game time is 7:07.
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