BALTIMORE—After scoring just three runs in 33 innings in a four-game sweep at Yankee Stadium over the weekend, the Orioles took out their frustrations on the Atlanta Braves Monday night.
Just five days before, the Braves set a National League record by scoring 29 runs against the Miami Marlins.
The Orioles didn’t score 29, but they did score nine runs in the third inning and recorded their most lopsided win of the season, 14-1, ending a five-game losing streak. They’re 21-26.
The nine-run third, which gave them a 10-0 lead, was their biggest since April 15, 2016. Twelve batters came to the plate, and three hit home runs — DJ Stewart, Ryan Mountcastle (back-to-back) and José Iglesias.
“I thought our guys took really good at-bats tonight,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Scored a bunch of runs early, which really makes it easy on our pitching staff.”
Stewart hit a three-run homer, his seventh in the past nine games. Mountcastle followed one pitch later with his fifth. Iglesias’ home run, his first with the Orioles, was a three-run shot.
Iglesias, who was removed after five innings, equaled his career high with four hits. He also had an RBI single in the fifth. Stewart had four RBIs as well. Mountcastle drove in three runs with a pair of singles in addition to the home run.
“It was very tough. We had a rough series in New York,” Iglesias said. “We were really able to leave it in the past, nothing we can do about it right now, turn the page and be competitive … tonight, the team showed grit.”
Austin Hays, who came off the injured list on Monday and played left field for the first time in his career, was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Starter Jorge López became the first Oriole pitcher to complete seven innings this season, giving up just five hits.
“It’s a great opportunity, every single start,” López said. “Every outing, I feel more confident. That comes from the work I’ve been doing with the pitching coaches.”
He allowed a run on Freddie Freeman’s sixth-inning home run.
“We were a little short in the bullpen tonight,” Hyde said. “It was extremely helpful to go seven innings for us. He did a nice job pitching with a lead. Pitching with a lead is not always as easy as it looks.”
Pat Valaika homered in the seventh for the Orioles’ 14th run, a ball that tipped off the top of former Oriole Nick Markakis’ glove.
Davis back to injured list: Chris Davis was sent to the 10-day injured list for the second time with left knee patellar tendinitis.
Davis was on the IL from August 21st until September 8th and played in Friday night’s second game at Yankee Stadium, going hitless in three at-bats. He’s batting .115.
“His knee kind of flared up after that game in New York,” Hyde said. “We gave it some time, tried to see how it would respond. Ultimately, put him on the IL.”
Wilkerson’s release: The Orioles decided to keep Mason Williams after the outfielder cleared waivers for the second time in 10 days on Monday.
But their 60-man player pool was full, and they released Stevie Wilkerson, who won’t play this season because of a fractured ring finger suffered in an exhibition game in Philadelphia on July 19th.
Wilkerson was on a minor league contract, and the Orioles would have to release him to remove him from the player pool, making a spot for Williams.
Wilkerson’s ring finger is improving, and the Orioles will continue to oversee his recovery. They could re-sign him to a minor league contract for 2021 after the season ends.
Getting defensive: The Orioles played exceptional defense on Monday night, including two outstanding plays by centerfielder Cedric Mullins and a nifty deflection play at third by Rio Ruiz. They’ve often played sloppily, however, and Hyde offered an explanation.
“I think that we’re playing out of position at times,” he said. “I think that we’re tired. I think not having [shortstop] José Iglesias on the field routinely is a big deal. Not having Chris Davis at first base defensively is tough.”
“We just had a little bit of a problem with the infield being consistent. Losing Richie Martin, a really good defender, that hurt us also.
“It hasn’t been a great few weeks defensively in the infield. It’s not for lack of trying or lack of ground balls these guys are taking or the amount of early work that’s happening, and sometimes too much, and sometimes I need to back off on these guys to let them rest so that they’re ready to play in a game, which I think we’re doing a good job of. With this short season like this, guys are banged up.”
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Who needs MNF when you have these guys? Fun game to watch.
Starting to wonder just how real a player DJ Stewart is? I know he won't be able to keep this up for the next 6 years, but I don't understand why everybody thinks this guy can't play the outfield well? What I've seen so far is a fast afoot and competent fielder with a pretty decent arm?
Nice to see Hays back and getting a couple of base knocks to boot. Cedric the Centerfielder needs to stay there.
And Ryan Mountcastle continues to impress. This guy looks like a budding superstar.
But what's wrong with my boy Cisco? Am I totally wrong about this kid?
I feel Sisco has a confidence problem and becomes tentative . He needs to play everyday. At Norfolk he was terrible for awhile played everyday and then broke out. He can’t play unfortunately every other day or two. Amazing 14 runs in one night and 3 in four games. Is the Yankees pitching that great or does playing in that park intimate the O’s younger players
The O's stopped hitting halfway through the second game with the Mets, after three of five batters got plunked. The Yankees kept them uncomfortable and off the plate, including a booster shot on Nunez's arm. When the O's were reliably losing, pitchers threw strikes, mostly fastballs, not worried that a stray home run would cost them the game. When the O's got comfortable and started winning, the opposition adjusted, especially in games they needed to win. I don't think the players were intimidated by the park, but knowing that New Yorkers would pitch well inside with impunity gave them something else to think about when they stepped up to the plate. Atlanta pitchers, on the other hand, are a bit more laid back.
You are not wrong on "Sisco" and it's not Cisco!!! Just needs more time and probably a position move off catcher. I just don't believe catcher is his best position right now. He just hasn't developed there and he doesn't really have the arm for a catcher. But putting him at DH would alleviate the burden of calling pitches and having to know other hitters weaknesses for his pitching staff. If he was just at DH or possibly at 1st base, he could concentrate on just hitting he would be better off for right now.
I love Mullins in center field! He can certainly chase down any ball hit his way but don't expect the arm to throw anyone out at home plate like Adam Jones in his prime. Maybe moving him to LF would be a nice move later in games, switching with Hays to CF who has a better arm more suited for centerfield.
I like Stewart in right field. His ankle micro-surgery seems to have really put his defensive issues at rest! I always thought this was his issue on defense all along. He's been playing All-Star level ball along with Ryan Mountcastle since he's been recalled up from the 60 man pool. He didn't have a spring training due to his surgery rehab when he made the team the first time he was here but now that he's healthy he's been just fantastic!
Got me on the Cisco thing ... it's not the 1st time I've made that error. Wish he would just change it to Cisco ... much cooler name. I think in the long run, Stewart may be the odd man out. Maybe your boy Elias can do some trade magic for a starter with some of the surplus? Though I'd rather he wait it out and hang on to the kids.
Great win! That was a lot of fun. Building up confidence and competitiveness. Don’t tell these young guys to get used to losing 100+!
Strong showing Birds. Against a team that is just as good if not better than the Yankees. The O's will break that Yankee intimidation 1 day.
Months ago I predicted the O’s would be lucky to win 20 games. With their 21st win last night they’ve proven me wrong. The bats of the young guys are helping score runs and keeping our pitchers in games which I didn’t expect. I hope it continues.
Heck ... months ago I predicted they'd be lucky to win 10!
We need to eat some crow Boog! I also predicted J Means was a one year wonder but his last couple of starts have surprised me. I hope he finishes strong, pitches well next year, and proves me wrong again. (Maybe I need to make more dire predictions!).
The crow is on the grill Tex.
Justin a day of bad pitching by Atlanta - this time!
I am hereby announcing my opposition to the Orioles making the playoffs and am rooting for them to lose the majority of their games the rest of the year.
Asperations of becoming a G.M.?
I’d love to see Iglesias win the AL batting title but he needs to average 4.5 plate appearances per game the rest of the way to make it. Fat chance unfortunately, especially with 7 inning double headers. Batting .370 in mid September is nothing to sneeze at.
Not bad, but .370 in September on a 162 game season, now you’re talking...go O’s...