Good morning Birdland,
For a while anyway, last night’s game felt like one the Orioles were destined to win. Vibes were off the charts. Their manager, Craig Albernaz, was sitting in the dugout despite breaking a whole bunch of bones in his face the previous night. Staff ace, Trevor Rogers, was on the mound and sporting a ridiculous home record since the start of 2025. And the entire fan base was still beaming after the team’s ridiculous come back win on Monday.
And the game even got off to a good start!
Samuel Basallo homered in the second inning. A bases loaded walk for Leody Taveras in the third inning doubled the advantage. And Jeremiah Jackson led off the fourth inning with a two-bagger, setting the stage for another insurance run.
Things went off the rails shortly thereafter.
Jackson moved to third on a sac bunt, and was then inexplicably picked off by old friend James McCann. What was he doing!? He had simply ventured too far down the third base line, and McCann nabbed him. Even worse, the lineup had just turned over. Gunnar Henderson was at the plate. Putting yourself at any sort of risk of being picked off at third base in that scenario is inexcusable.
Then Rogers struggled in the top of the fifth, coughing up a four spot, including a three-run homer. Albernaz would have to yank him before the inning was out.
Fortunately, the bullpen was great again. Rico Garcia, Grant Wolfram, Yennier Cano, and Nick Raquet (with some defensive help from Colton Cowser) combined for 4.1 scoreless innings and gave the lineup a chance to claw back.
But it wasn’t to be. They did score once more in the eighth inning, and even loaded the bases for Jackson. But he was unable to duplicate his grand performance from the night prior. Instead, he grounded out, and the Orioles fell to 9-8 on the season.
Elsewhere in the AL East:
- The Yankees lost 7-1 to the Angels.
- The Red Sox lost 6-0 to the Twins.
- The Rays beat the White Sox 8-5.
- The Blue Jays beat the Brewers 9-7
It’s a quick turnaround today. First pitch for the rubber match is set for 12:35 from Camden Yards.
Links
With 7 cheek fractures and broken jaw, O’s manager Albernaz back at work | Orioles.com
I’m glad Albernaz, for the most part, is OK. He told reporters that he does not need surgery, and that he did not suffer a concussion. His diet is going to be a bummer for a while. Apparently all he gets is soft food and smoothies for the next six weeks. It could be worse! Now, please, Craig, let’s stand behind that big net in front of the dugout next time.
Hard to predict what’s happening with Orioles again in 2026 | Roch Kubatko
The number of injuries early in the season has, to me, transformed what success looks like for the Orioles at the moment. The overall goal for the season hasn’t changed. They still need to make the playoffs and win some games once in. But for now, they simply need to survive and keep their head above water. Get guys like Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, and Tyler O’Neill healthy. Reestablish some depth in the lineup. If that means going .500 for a bit, that feels OK.
Holliday sidelined from rehab assignment due to sore wrist | MLB.com
Speaking of Holliday, he isn’t ready just yet. This isn’t necessarily a surprise. The guy didn’t get a spring training, and he is recovering from an injury. His rehab assignment was always going to be a bit longer than typical. Getting him back in the lineup by early May feels like the goal at this point.
Pete Alonso visits BARCS, donates $10K: ‘We want to stand up for the innocent’ | The Baltimore Banner
Alonso knows how to ingratiate himself with the Orioles fan base. The guy is donating money, cuddling puppies, and wearing a hat with a crab on it. He’s one of us, hon.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Chris Tillman turns 38 today. The righty came to Baltimore in the Adam Jones/Erik Bedard trade ahead of the 2008 season, and would become a crucial member of the 2010s teams that returned the organization to relevance. Tillman debuted in 2009 as a 21-year-old, and then spent a decade with the Orioles. Eventually, he would rise to be the staff ace, make three Opening Day starts, and earn an all-star nod in 2013.
- Michael Aubrey is 44. He played in 31 games for the 2009 Orioles, mostly as a first baseman.
This day in O’s history
1954 – For the first time since 1954, a big league team returns to Baltimore. The Orioles, recently arrived from St. Louis as the Browns, beat the White Sox 3-1 in their debut game at Memorial Stadium.
1987 – The Orioles get no-hit by Milwaukee Brewers hurler Juan Nieves, the first no-no in Brewers history.
2000 – Cal Ripken Jr. records the 3,000 hit of his career, ripping a single off of Twins pitcher Hector Carrasco. Ripken is the 24th major leaguer to reach the milestone, and is only the seventh player to pair that achievement with 400 career home runs,.
