Good morning Birdland,
Last night’s win is likely to go down as one of the hardest—if not THE hardest—losses of the season. The Orioles had nearly a 97% chance of winning going into the seventh inning. They were ahead 5-0. It would have served as an impressive bounce-back from dropping Game 1 of the series and getting right back to winning. Trevor Rogers had been good. The offense did its job. It was all working! And then, disaster.
Rogers returned for the seventh and gave up a four spot. Yennier Cano
gave up two more in the eighth. And the Baltimore bats did little to fight back. Dropping that game 6-5 is an embarrassment, and it now makes today’s game feel like one that have to put in the win column.
Craig Albernaz’s management of the pitching staff came under fire following the game. He admitted afterward that he stuck with Rogers too long. And Rogers himself described it as a “learning moment” for both he and Albernaz, saying that he “should’ve, sixth inning, put my ego aside and probably turned it over to the bullpen.”
I appreciate the honesty in a moment where you can imagine Rogers wasn’t super happy, and in a season that has not gone his way. If this truly can be a learning moment to improve the team then maybe it’s worth it. But that won’t stop it from being extremely frustrating to see your Opening Day pitcher finally have a complete outing, only to see it go down the drain because he and the manager aren’t communicating properly.
Beyond that, though, Albernaz’s decision to go with Cano in the eighth inning, just two days after he left game with an apparent injury was a head scratcher also. I understand that if Cano isn’t going on the IL, then he needs to be ready to pitch. But let’s use a little common sense. He struggled on Wednesday and seemed to hurt himself. Should his very next appearance be a high leverage one two days later?
There’s no time to dwell. The O’s and Jays are right back at it this afternoon. Brandon Young will need to serve as stopper. Honestly, he is as good a candidate as anyone else to do it. The 27-year-old has stepped up big time this year with his 3.47 ERA over seven starts, taking on a much bigger role earlier in the season than anyone expected.
Links
Orioles Re-Sign Albert Suárez | MLB Trade Rumors
A day after electing free agency, Suárez is back with the Orioles and on the major league roster. This seems to have simply been an understanding between player and team that they needed a fresh arm for a few days, but they wanted Suárez back. That arrangement has worked out well for both sides a few times before, and it does again here.
Jon Meoli: Trevor Rogers’ path back to dominance is clear. For 6 innings, he showed why. | The Baltimore Banner
What made Rogers such an effective pitcher last year is still in there. He has been showing it more recently, and last night was the best case yet. Hopefully one bad inning doesn’t overshadow what was largely a really encouraging start.
Alonso setting example, and some mailbag leftovers | Roch Kubatko
Pete Alonso has not performed up to the level that he wanted to coming into the season, but it’s hard to dislike the personality and ownership over this team that he he has displayed. Plus, the bat has been getting better, so maybe we will get the whole package before too long.
O’s surprise Harlem Park 8th grader with inaugural Birdland Next Up Scholarship | Orioles.com
This is very nice! Congratulations to Amina!
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Brett Phillips turns 32 today. The slick-fielding, light-hitting outfielder was added to the Orioles roster late in 2022, playing in just eight games before the year was out.
- Jairo Asencio, who played under the assumed name Luis Valdez, is 43 years old. His time with the Orioles was brief, pitching in just four games back in 2013.
- Mike Oquist is 58. His major league career began in Baltimore, where he spent parts of three seasons from 1993 through ‘95. In total he pitched in 47 games for the O’s and had a 5.08 ERA.
- The late John Miller (b. 1941, d. 2020) was born on this day. A Baltimore native, Miller pitched for his hometown team in five seasons between 1962 through 67.
This day in O’s history
1982 – Cal Ripken Jr. starts at third base and bats eighth for the Baltimore Orioles. Unbeknownst to him or anyone else at the time, this would mark the first of 2,632 consecutive games he would play, far surpassing Lou Gehrig and becoming the game’s new Iron Man.
