The good news is that there are only four games left for the Orioles. In the last two weeks, the Orioles have had trouble at bat and in the field. On Wednesday night, the struggles extended to their shining rookie starter, Dean Kremer.
Kremer excited the Orioles by allowing just three runs on eight hits in 16 innings in his first three starts.
He’ll end his season with his first rough big league start. Kremer allowed seven runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. His ERA ballooned from 1.69 to 4.82.
The 9-1 loss to the Red Sox was the Orioles’ 12th in their last 15 games. Their record is 23-33, and they lead the Red Sox by just one game for fourth place in the American League East.
“I think we haven’t swung the bat very well the last couple of weeks, but that happens with every team throughout a season,” manager Brandon Hyde said in his pregame video conference call.
“I think there are some guys that I’ve seen improvement, especially the first 30 games where they’ve shown that they can do some things. We have a couple of guys growing through some rough patches. We’re trying to finish the season strong, and probably trying too hard in some ways.
“That’s what we’ve been going through the last two weeks, really just trying to do too much by myself and not having more of a team aspect look, a team aspect at-bat. But putting too much pressure on myself to come through. It seems like we have a group of guys that right now are scuffling because they’re just trying to do too much.”
The Orioles had seven hits in six scoreless innings against Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi, who struck out eight and walked one.
Jackie Bradley Jr. and Kevin Plawecki had run-scoring singles in the first. Boston scored six runs in the third, equaling the most runs the Orioles have given up in any inning this season.
J.D. Martinez had an RBI double, Plawecki a run-scoring triple and Michael Chavis’ double scored Bobby Dalbec to make it 5-0.
Kremer had a cut under a fingernail but said that it didn’t affect him.
“I think I just left too many balls in count, center-cut that got hit,” Kremer said.
With his season over, Kremer can look ahead to next year.
“I’m going to try to get bigger, stronger, throw harder and sharpen the tools that I have in the next four months before we come back,” Kremer said.
Overall, Kremer seemed satisfied with his four starts.
“Three of them went well. Tonight was what it was,” Kremer said. “I just couldn’t get anything behind anyone. I’m pretty happy with how it went. I got to dip my toe in the water, and I’m excited for next year.”
After Christian Arroyo walked, Branden Kline, who was added to the active roster earlier in the day when Evan Phillips was sent to the injured list because of elbow inflammation, walked Alex Verdugo to load the bases. Rafael Devers’ three-run double against Kline boosted Boston’s lead to 8-0 and ended Kremer’s pitching line.
“I just think he had a tough time putting guys away tonight,” Hyde said. “I thought they were on a lot of his pitches … He wasn’t as sharp tonight as he had been.”
Hyde looked at the bigger picture.
“I’m excited about Dean,” Hyde said. “I think Dean has a big upside.”
In his second major league appearance, Ellicott City’s Bruce Zimmermann allowed one run on two hits in four innings with five strikeouts and a walk.
Kremer, Zimmermann and Keegan Akin give the Orioles something to look forward to in 2021.
“This has been real valuable experience for them this year,” Hyde said. “Getting a few starts under their belts, looking forward to next year. I think they’re going to take this with them into next spring training. They’ve gotten a taste of the big leagues.
“Both Keegan and Kremer made starts at Yankee Stadium, Fenway, now they’re going to go back and sit on this during the offseason and get better next year, next spring training and use it as a positive, big time. Both of those guys and Zim tonight threw the ball well, made some good starts, looking forward to next year with those guys.”
Austin Hays hit his third home run against Mike Kickham in the seventh. Hays, Pat Valaika and Ryan Mountcastle each had three hits. The Orioles actually outhit the Red Sox, 11-10.
“It’s always tough when the offense and the pitching staff just aren’t lining up,” Hays said. “Try to wash it, and move on to the next game and try to finish strong here these next few games.”
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Well don't know what to say right about now. Was hanging a lot of my good/future vibe on Kremer and then this. Ouch. O's have this uncanny way of really falling apart in September huh? If they go winless the remainder(a good possibilty) it will give them a final record of 23-37. Seems like a 90-95 loss team. I guess there's still progress in that but the glee of August has definitely faded. Let's feel good about Mountcastle,Hays,Santander,Kremer,Scott and look to the future. Nice draft pick coming up.
All of a sudden it feels like the O’s have played a long season - after just 56 games.
Watched some of the game and it’s a game of inches, the future is still bright. We head into the off season with good plan for our rotation; last nights performance not withstanding Kremer, Akin are still solid but they are young. There will be growing pains, our defense though wow have some improvement there.
What has happened to Severino, he has stopped hitting and defense looks bad. Agree with the person yesterday Mountcastle starting struggling with bat with the move to first, maybe we should try Stewart because he is struggling in the outfield
To heck with the draft pick boys. That's a loser's rationalization for another losing season.
Sure the future looks brighter no thanks to Mike Elias. So far, Elias has done nothing to instill a winning mentality and culture around here. Matter of fact, by the glee some of us show for yet another top of the order draft pick, he's installed a losing culture. If you haven't noticed, the team is about to finish at the very bottom of the division ... again ... behind a Red Sox team that has been decimated by injury and selling their farm over the past 5 years for championship aspirations. I'm tired of it, and the boy genius needs to be held accountable. We shouldn't be hailing the stinking draft pick. This team needs to show some serious improvement next year. We'd better not be picking top 5 in 2022 anyway!
Oh...and Hyde's answer to everything? "We're putting too much pressure on ourselves? We're trying too hard"? Balderdash ... Maybe the management should take a cue from the players and try a bit harder!
I'm tired of this losing culture. I've never seen a fanbase that welcomes losses in bulk like ours has these past 3 years. Screw that draft pick!
We had something going this year and we let it slip away. Who's accountable? Where does the buck stop in Baltimore? If we could have just kept ahead of the F'in Sox ... sheeesh I'm frustrated. Am I alone here?
You’re not alone - I’m with you Boog! But it’s hard to get overly frustrated when I never expected much from them this year to begin with. They’ve done better (slightly) than the 20 wins I projected but are now looking like the team I expected. I’m actually happy we have a short season - it’s time to put a cap on it and move on. With all this young promise I’m expecting much better things next year.
Not alone, I had figured on 24-28 wins but this late season skid reminds me of Pre-Buck days. Hitting I get the slump but dang the defense and I’m sorry what was Hays thinking in right last night. Put Mountcastle in left and leave him there stop screwing with these guys
I think this is more of the team regressing to the mean guys.
This orioles team has significantly less talent than the other teams in the MLB. Hanser Alberto is a platoon player. He gets hot for a while but he is what he is. That’s why I thought the call from guys to extend him earlier was completely off base.
We’re relying on a bullpen w/o Castro and Givens who were 2 of our best relievers. There’s no closer on this team right now. Rio Ruiz isn’t an everyday 3B. DJ Stewart had a nice little 10 game run but none of us know if he can do that for a sustained stretch.
There’s a reason we nabbed Severino off waivers. He’s a solid backup but he’s no starting catcher. Chance Sisco isn’t Joe Mauer. And You’re depending on 3 rookies in the rotation. You know that they’re gonna have their struggles breaking in.
This season was a positive but there’s just a long ways to go. Guys like Alberto, Severino, Ruiz etc. are fill in players. And they’re playing like it.
No alone, agree entirely, I’ve said it before, attitude starts at the top, Hyde just makes excuses, he will not be around when they start winning, I’m just concerned that they’ll Mountcastle Adley next year, if he’s the best (no question) friggin play him...tough watching them play lately...go O’s...
I don’t know why everyone is saying mountcastle is struggling. Had three hits last night. He’s the only that has been consistent over the past month. He had two bad games and everyone is ready to saying he’s struggling. I thought in that first inning Verdugos hit should’ve been a single. Stewart once again misplayed the ball off the wall and the jogged after it as it rolled back toward third.
Agree, I don't think he has been struggling, two games, eh, not really anything, I'd take a team full of Mountcastles...go O's...
Very disappointed myself like Boog is expressing.It seems like every year they have a hot spell then fall completely apart. This year, especially Since Santander’ went down, they have collapsed beyond expectation with the bats. I like the pitching and I believe more experience is the answer. The defense behind these guys has been horrible if late and that puts presser on the pitching. In my opinion they have to bring up some of the guys that they know are ready and not hold back like they have done with Sisco and Mountcastle. It is becoming a longer drawn out process in my opinion also but a lot of that thinking is because us devoted fans Are getting impatient. I still trust the Elias process and to be honest. Little suspect on some of Hydes explanations after the games. One other thing is they must do better on base running, especially at third base.A lot of the guys are going to have to pick up their game next year other wise they are not going to cut it.
I am with the Boog about Elias, everyone was pissed with Duquette but his drafts have been not that bad. Keep in mind his struggles with the owner and putting up with Buck's micro managing and he still left not a bad nucleus behind him. I do not want to dwell on the past either but this constant losing is not the answer, draft picks are never a certainty. Please Mr. Hyde let he kids play the last games this week, we already know what the vets can do or not do
Keep the faith
I'm not as harsh on Elias as a lot of you all appear to be. Right now his goal is to build a strong system talent wise from top to bottom and when you're a perennial 110 game loser I guess you have to start at the bottom. Duquette has given the program a nice start but limited at the big league level. Elias has to weed out,build it up,and hope it clicks. Leadership will follow when these guys become successful. Hard to create leaders out of .210 hitters(ask Mr. Davis). It would be nice for Hyde to scream and holler and insist things be done certain ways but if these players aren't physically capable it's a mute point. I just hate that "one step forward,two steps back" cycle this team has been in for 3-4 years now. It all comes down to talent and that will have to come from the bottom to the top---right Delmarva?
Oy vey from 6,000 miles away!! I really hope this poor performance from Mr. Kremer last night was just a one-time setback, and not a glimpse of things to come. Perhaps this sluggish outing was the result of his eating spoiled leftovers from last week’s Rosh HaShana meal ? :-)
Rich, may I safely assume that the Israeli journalists were dead silent during last night’s Zoom interview with Mr. Kremer?
No, Rob, there was one Israeli journalist on hnad.
What a meshuggeneh end to the season! And schtickle more talent wouldn't have hurt.
I'll double down with Boog. This is unacceptable. I don't want to here the excuses of young players and "playing over their heads" or anything else. The Orioles fanbase should not tolerate a team collapsing in September, be they falling from Wild Card contention or falling from fourth to last in the AL East. This Boston team has been awful this year, yet they look like the '75 Reds the past two nights? Unacceptable. It's OK for the fans to expect a good product even if the franchise itself is conditioning you to be a loser to buy some time.
I agree unacceptable but may be more so mystifying. Why does it keep happening every Sept? Are there common denominators?--not really. Happened with Buck,Manny Jones and happening again. Is it that Nunez,Severino,Alberto,Ruiz core? Pitching generally has been better. Maybe that before mentioned core has that blasse' mentality( no tenacity). If we can ever figure out what put these 4-5 players in this funk we may something. OR maybe we have to just slowly start weeding out that "core" and start fresh. Then again that is the plan.
A thought if I may interject AGAIN. May be easier said than done but how about Elias and Co. look into adding a veteran journeyman or three who have plaid with contenders(Yankers,Astros,Indians,Cubs,Red Sox,etc.) and shuffling off the Ruiz',Alberos,Severino's,Nunez'. They may not hit any higher than .230 and they all may be well over 30 but would supply a "winning" attitude not seen by the O's rookies. Ya never know. Hey that's my shot in the dark. Get Mountcastle,Hays,Santander some "winners" to play along side of. Without having immediate names I know there has be to some out there.
I said that when Buck was still here. No one in that organization during Showalters heyday had ever won a damn thing, and it showed with their rolling over and dying in the playoffs each year.
Seriously can Cedric Mullins learn how to play second base. He’s young , athletic and fast. The only liability could be his arm. His low power numbers and high strikeouts are not exceptable for a CF but can be at second plus the outfield is full especially if Diaz works out and we have no infielders. Alberto is a fill in. The late season fad has becomes a very bad habit here. Hyde’s a nice guy just seems like something is missing with him and I would like him to succeed don’t get me wrong
Also Cedric has a low on base percentage if he made more contact that would really help his game
Bruce, Cedric's on-base average isn't awful, it's .313 to go with a .264 batting average. It's his slugging percentage, which is only .352. Twenty-seven of his 33 hits have been singles.
Keep the line moving ... isn't that what they say ? Nothing wrong with singles.
If that's all he hits, that makes him worth much less than a player who hits for power as well as average, Ken.
Certainly can't argue that Rich, but there's value in a guy that can set the table.
The game is still baseball and not Home Run Derby. Wellllllll....OK...I admit that maybe there's a certain amount of Home Run Derby to it ...but that doesn't mean I have to like it!
At this time I wouldn’t even have Diaz in the same conversation, I believe Rich said he had no AAA experience, he may turn out great , but at least Mullins has shown decent offense & excellent defense...go O’s...
Rich I mean OPS 665
Cal pals sorry I don’t consider bat average of 267 and OPS of 665 decent offense for a CF but it would be ok for a second baseman because of his speed and intangibles and even if Diaz is not ready we got Hays in CF, Stanlander in Rf and Mountcastle in LF with hopefully Mancini on first base and DH along with DJ who they will give another season too with all his shortcomings in the field
Gotta disagree here BHoff .... Cedric stays in center field. It's been soooo long that the O's had a bonafide leadoff hitter, I think some of us have forgotten what is expected of one.
I’m probably being overly optimistic or maybe just very naive but I’m looking forward to 2021 with a good bit of excitement. As long as Tommy John doesn’t rest his ugly head I am eager to see a rotation of Means, Akin, Kremer, Lopez and I guess Cobb (I’d like to see him traded). I think that rotation would be pretty successful and I think the offense will be much improved with RM playing a full season. My biggest concerns are catcher and third base. Rutschman is still a year away I’m assuming. And even more exciting will be the arrivals of Rodriguez and Hall not too far away. Good times are coming. I can feel it.
Why does Rutschman have to be a year away? If he's the prodigy everybody tells us he is, bring is butt back with the team from Sarasota.
And despite my and others grumbling here today, I think many of us are excited about next year. It's just that this team shouldn't have folded like it did this year.
If Adley is the best he should play...go O’s...
Permit me to play devil's advocate. I strongly disagree with optimism about the team's chances next year. Also, finding the O's' performance "unacceptable" is understandable, but it won't change a thing.
The bottom line is that the aggregate talent of the Orioles is below average for MLB, and well below average relative to the other AL East teams. If EVERYTHING goes well with grooming prospects into being more than respectable players, then perhaps in three (maybe two) years, we will have a fully competitive team.
The team played better this year than I dared hope. Good thing I am not a betting man, as I would have put up a lot of money saying that they would not win 20. But I wonder if the September fade can be largely attributed to other teams figuring out how to pitch to our (mostly waiver-acquired) batters and how to hit against our young pitchers. If this was a big factor and if you believe that "pitching is everything," then next season is going to be very painful.