Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters. You guys! Baseball is fun! After winning two of three from the Mariners and two of three from the Astros, the Orioles went into Boston last night and beat the Red Sox easily. Trevor Rogers had another great start. Gunnar Henderson homered, tripled, and played great defense. And both Dylan Beavers and Samuel Basallo had multi-hit games in the 6-3 win. You can read all the details in Alex’s game recap.
And how about Basallo and Beavers? I know it’s only been a few days,
but these two could not have made a better first impression. In three games, Beavers has gone 4-for-11 with three walks. Basallo came THIS close to hitting a home run in each of his first two games and has had to settle for two multi-RBI games. The lineup looks so much better with them in it. I know they’ll both have tough times, that’s the nature of baseball. But they are making me feel…dare I say it, hope?
And they aren’t the only ones doing well. Jeremiah Jackson had another multi-hit game, making it three straight. He’s hitting .341. Where did this guy come from? And Ryan Mountcastle, who looks like he could be the odd man out, refuses to give in. He had three hits last night after spending Sunday in Houston on the bench. Since coming off of the IL on August 8th, Mounty has gone 11-for-34 (.324) with two home runs.
This offense is clicking now, but it’s not all good news. Colton Cowser struck out three times last night and looks lost at the plate more often than not. The good thing about a lost season, if there is one, is that Cowser will be given time to try and figure it out. Let’s hope he comes around, because if he doesn’t that’s a really big hole to fill.
And Jordan Westburg, who has looked great, had to exit the game last night with an ankle injury. After the game, Tony Mansolino told the press he believes it’s a mild injury. We’ll see how that goes. Hopefully, it’s mild enough that resting today plus the weird Wednesday off day will be enough for him to be ready to go.
Links
Why Dylan Beavers and Samuel Basallo represent a different kind of future for the Orioles – The Baltimore Banner
Jon Meoli points out that, unlike other heavy hitters on the Orioles, Beavers and Basallo weren’t can’t-miss prospects. The Orioles will need players like that to succeed if they want sustained success.
Updating O’Neill, rehabbing pitchers and more – MASN Sports
Tyler O’Neill is aiming to back by the end of the month. Roch Kubatko has those details and updates on Tyler Wells, Albert Suárez, and more.
Baysox manager Roberto Mercado breaks down Basallo, Beavers and Bradfield – Baltimore Baseball
Personal insight on the Orioles’ top prospects.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have a whopping eight Orioles birthday buddies. One of them is current Oriole Brandon Young, who turns 27 today. Young has had a rough rookie season but is coming off of an eight-inning, one-hit effort last Friday. Happy birthday to Brandon!
Also celebrating today is J.J Hardy, who turns 43 years old. Hardy was traded to the Orioles before the 2011 season for basically nothing and spent seven seasons with the Orioles. He won three Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger with the Orioles and made one All-Star appearance.
Other former Orioles born on this day in history are Lance Cormier (45), Rocky Cherry (46), Luis DeLeón (67), Paul Mitchell (76), Jim Lehew (b. 1937, d. 2016), and Jim Finigan (b. 1928, d. 1981).
On this day in 1980, Steve Stone had a no-hitter for 7.1 innings before allowing two runs in the eighth as the Orioles beat the Angels, 5-2. He didn’t get the no-hitter, but Stone did get his 20th win. He was the first player that year to reach 20 wins, and finished the season with 25. No wonder he won the Cy Young Award.
In 2001, the Orioles fell behind the Red Sox, 6-1, but bounced back to win by a score of 13-7. Jeff Conine had five hits, rookie Brian Roberts doubled twice, and David Segui homered in the win. After Calvin Madure allowed six runs in three innings, John Wasdin picked up the win in relief.
In 2016, the Orioles set a record by hitting four home runs before making an out. Adam Jones homered, Hyun Soo Kim singled, and then Manny Machado, Chris Davis, and Mark Trumbo hit back-to-back-to-back dingers. The feat isn’t very fondly remembered because starting pitcher Wade Miley allowed six runs in 1.2 innings and was followed by a parade of bad relievers. The Orioles lost 13-7.
And on this day last year, the Orioles lost to the Mets in a walk-off. Trevor Rogers started and allowed three runs in 4.2 innings. The Orioles scored two runs in the seventh on a balk and a home run by Ramón Urías. But Francisco Alvarez ended the game with a home run off Seranthony Domínguez in the bottom of the ninth.
