Orioles fail to hit with runners in scoring position in 4-3 loss to Tigers

What happened? For the second time in three games, the Orioles outhit their opponent but failed to produce key hits with runners on base and lost a one-run game.

In the first game of a split doubleheader, the Orioles lost to the Detroit Tigers, 4-3, at Comerica Park.

The Orioles outhit the Tigers, 11-8, but were just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. They’re hitting .213 with runners in scoring position this season.

In his second major league start, Brandon Young (0-1) allowed three runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking five and striking out six. Four of the five walks came in the second. He had a 1-2-3, 11 pitch inning in the third and finished strong.

Spencer Torkelson homered in the seventh inning against Cionel Pérez, and that turned out to be the winning run.

The Orioles (10-15) had a chance to score in the sixth when Jordan Westburg and Ryan O’Hearn led off with singles. Westburg tried to score on Heston Kjerstad’s grounder to Torkelson at first, but Torkelson made a good throw home as he was running toward second, and Westburg was out at the plate.

In the seventh, Detroit leftfielder Riley Greene made a leaping catch, taking away a possible home run from Ramón Lauerano.

O’Hearn and Urías homered for the Orioles. It was O’Hearn’s fourth and Urías’ first.

Tyler O’Neill was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Thursday with neck inflammation. It’s the 15^th time in his major league career he’s gone on the IL. Outfielder Dylan Carlson was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

Keegan Akin will open the second game of the doubleheader. Charlie Morton will follow him. Reliever Colin Selby will be the 27^th man for the second game.

Why can’t the Orioles hit with runners in scoring position? After just three games were decided by one run in their first 22, the Orioles have played three straight, winning one and losing two.

They’re just 4-for-29 with runners in scoring position in the three games.

Manager Brandon Hyde cited Laureano’s drive to left and deep fly balls to left by Jackson Holliday, which was caught at the wall, and Ryan Mountcastle, which didn’t carry as far as it appeared it would when he hit it.

Nine of the Orioles’ 11 hits came from O’Hearn, Urías and Westburg, who each had three hits.

How did Young pitch? Hyde thought Young pitched creditably in his second start. A week ago, Young allowed three runs on seven hits in four-plus innings.

“A little more confident his time, a little more comfortable,” Young told reporters in Detroit. “I settled into a groove after the second … I made some more competitive pitches this time. You can’t walk five guys … I gave the team a chance to win today.”

Hyde told reporters before the game that Kyle Gibson threw another side session. It seems likely that Gibson will start on Wednesday against the New York Yankees.

“I thought his [Young’s] misses were really close, and he got squeezed a little bit,” Hyde told reporters in Detroit. “I thought he had good stuff. Did a nice job pitching out of a jam, giving up a couple of runs. I like his pitch mix. He’s got a starter mix with multiple pitches. He kept a pretty good lineup off balance.”

After the game, the Orioles optioned Young to Triple-A Norfolk and recalled left-hander Grant Wolfram from the Tides. Wolfram is 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA in five games with Norfolk. He was acquired from Milwaukee on April 7th for cash considerations and outfielder Daz Cameron.

How difficult is it to play a doubleheader when you’re struggling? Hyde used Bryan Baker, who allowed an inherited run to score, Pérez and Matt Bowman in relief. Akin will be used as the opener in the second game, as Hyde tries a different strategy with the struggling Morton.

“With us being down, I’m not going to go to a few guys in the bullpen,” Hyde said.

What does it mean? While the Orioles didn’t play badly, but until they convert more often with runners in scoring position, more losses will result. They also weren’t crisp on defense. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson double-clutched on one play, failing to get the runner at first, and missed a ground ball while moving to his right. Centerfielder Cedric Mullins overthrew the cutoff man to allow Detroit to get runners on second and third instead of first and third.

What’s the word? “We’re just a few inches away from that game being totally different.”-Hyde on the Orioles’ failure to score in crucial spots.

What’s the stat of the day? This will be just the second time in Morton’s 18-year career that he has pitched in relief.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Right-hander Chayce McDermott, who has yet to pitch this season because of a lat injury, will begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Chesapeake on Sunday.

Norfolk right-hander Justin Armbruester had lat surgery on Friday.

What’s next?  Akin (0-0, 3.27) will start the second game of the doubleheader at 6:10 p.m. Morton (0-5, 10.89) will follow him. Keider Montero (0-1, 7.71) starts for Detroit.

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