It was a complete breakdown for the Orioles on Tuesday night. Starting pitcher Matt Harvey struggled again. Oriole hitters struck out 14 times. They committed four errors. It added up to another loss, 7-2, to the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
The Orioles (22-44) have lost six straight,and a franchise-record 17 straight on the road. The major league record for most road losses in succession is 22 shared by the 1963 New York Mets and the 1943 Philadelphia Athletics.
The Indians scored a run in the first on an RBI single by Bobby Bradley, which scored César Hernandez. With two outs, second baseman Stevie Wilkerson booted Eddie Rosario’s grounder, which sent Hernandez to third. Wilkerson committed another error in the eighth, his third in two games.
The Orioles tied it at 1 on Maikel Franco’s RBI double in the second.
Franco committed a throwing error in the bottom of the second, with two outs, causing Harvey to throw more pitches. He made a diving stop but his throw to first baseman Trey Mancini was wide, and Mancini appeared to lose it in the twilight sun.
“We’re making some uncharacteristic plays,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Negative plays defensively because we’re not playing with a ton of confidence.”
Harvey (3-8) gave up five runs in the third. The first was driven in by Eric Clement, who ended up at third on a throwing error by centerfielder Cedric Mullins. Clement scored on Bradley Zimmer’s single. Amed Rosario’s RBI single made it 4-1, and Eddie Rosario’s double increased the Indians’ lead to 6-1.
In 3 1/3 innings, Harvey allowed six runs, five earned, on six hits. His ERA is 7.76.
“As a starter, you have to go more than five innings, and I haven’t done that in quite some time,” Harvey said. “I don’t think there’s anything positive about any of that or anything, really.”
Harvey dismissed the notion of moving to the bullpen.
“I’m not even thinking about that,” Harvey said. “It hasn’t crossed my mind.”
Harvey, who has lost seven consecutive decisions, hasn’t gone even five innings since his last win, on May 1st at Oakland.
“I thought Matt threw the ball as well as he’s thrown the ball in a long time,” Hyde said. “For him to get four outs in an inning makes it really, really challenging. We let him down defensively.”
Cal Quantrill allowed a run on three hits in four innings for Cleveland. Blake Parker gave up Trey Mancini’s RBI double in the sixth.
James Karinchak (4-2), who struck out all three Orioles he faced in the eighth, got the win for Cleveland (36-28).
Bradley homered against Adam Plutko in the seventh.
Wilkerson and DJ Stewart each struck out three times.
Notes: John Means, who’s on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left shoulder is in Sarasota, Florida and began playing catch on Tuesday. … The Orioles traded minor league catcher Taylor Davis to Pittsburgh for outfielder José Berroa. Davis, who played in 20 games for the Chicago Cubs from 2017-2019, was hitting .289 in 12 games for Triple-A Norfolk. Berroa, who’s 19, batted .254 for the Pirates’ teams in the Dominican Summer League in 2019. He’ll report to the Orioles’ Florida Complex team in Sarasota. … Hyde said the new penalties for doctoring balls that will go into effect on June 21st were stiff. “To lose a player 10 days and a roster spot for 10 teams, it’s obvious MLB is very serious about this.” Hyde said the team has discussed this in small groups and will have a larger meeting on Wednesday. … Keegan Akin (0-1, 4.13 ERA) will face Aaron Civale (9-2, 3.17) on Wednesday night.
Minor Matters: Alexander Wells pitched five shutout innings, allowing just two hits, as Triple-A Norfolk beat Durham, 4-1. Wells struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. Designated hitter Brett Cumberland hit a two-run home run and second baseman Jahmai Jones had three hits.
Grayson Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings in his first home start as Double-A Bowie lost to Akron, 3-2. Rodriguez struck out six and walked one.
In his first rehab game, outfielder Yusniel Diaz was 1-for-2 with a walk in five innings as the Baysox’s designated hitter.
Connor Gillispie gave up seven runs, six earned, in 2 2/3 innings in High-A Aberdeen’s 13-5 loss to Asheville. Centerfielder Zach Watson had three hits for the IronBirds, including a two-run home run.
Noah Denoyer allowed five runs in the third inning as Low-A Delmarva lost, 6-2, to Salem. Third baseman Andrew Martinez homered for the Shorebirds.
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Another terrible outing! Fundamental mistakes, swinging wildly at pitches, B Hyde looks beat down. I hope we don’t beat that 22 consecutive road lose record! We have enough lose records!
If there's one true indicator as to how far this team is regressing I take us back approximately one month when we couldn't wait for the team to hit the road where they play " so much better". Well now we don't even have that to fall back on. Nothing personal against our boy Stevie but ya really know things were spiraling downward when he became the new 2nd Baseman. Still can't comprehend why they released a former 2B Gold Glover(Yosmer?)in ST. I'm sure he could have at least put up Rio,Stevie Urias numbers and maybe even flash that Gold Glove. Rich appreciate you and Todd now incorporating more of these Minor League updates--they're becoming our "go to" events.
Orial, Yolmer Sanchez is hitting .163 for Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate.
Glad you’re liking our minor league coverage.
The ONLY good news we get is from the minors... so, Rich, please expand it if possible. I subscribe to MiLB and follow each of the O’s teams, game by game so know a little of what’s going on from the box scores. It was really encouraging to see Alex Wells have his third straight good game. I’ve been a fan of his going all the way back to his Delmarva days where he only gave up 8 walks for the whole season. He’s a “pitcher”, not a thrower, and it’s nice to see someone like him succeed.
Ekim, thank you for the encouragement on the minors. We'll keep the coverage coming. Our readers are definitely interested.
I've been waiting for Wells since way back as well. Maybe soon ?
There you go ... elbow soreness. We jinxed the kid.
This team is indeed regressing . Part of it is no second baseman or third baseman . There has to be changes or some type of repercussions for this atrocious play .
The organization has for far to long accepted this level of fundamentals. You may not have the most talent but you should without fail catch and throw the ball correctly every time and I don’t care how much they “like” playing for Hyde this level of fundamentals is directly traced back to him and his staff .
There is NO excuse for not executing on the fundamentals, that is true. Is that directly related to Hyde’s competency, I can’t really judge that. I leave that pontification to others more knowledgeable and with more time on their hands for such daily debate.
Keep utility man Wilkerson as a pitching option. (Humor)
Like it or not, Galvis has been a good addition.
Franco, as error prone and inconsistent as he is, plays like a lifetime .248 hitter, but remember, he was available cheap and is who he is.
Meanwhile Rougned Odor currently batting .198.
Finally, I wonder what Harvey’s W-L record might be if he had offensive support or better defense behind him.
You wonder what Harvey's W/L record would be with better offensive and defensive support ... really?
I think the 7.76 ERA should give us some kind of clue. And since I have all the time in the world, I'd be willing to pontificate that he'd suck even if he were in Delmarva.
BTW...your Wilkerson line was funny ...some things do translate without explanation. :)
Yes, I have the temerity to ask the question about Harvey. Picture him in pinstripes. Would that have helped him? If our defense sucks, our coaching staff sucks, our catcher sucks, our offense sucks etc, would his W-L record be any better on a contender?
Pretty straightforward question.
Icty ... you keep forcing me to break out my dictionary bra!
I thought I answered the question, albeit maybe not in such straightforward terms...so here goes .... HECK NO I don't think better defense would have helped him. Now if the O's offense could score 10 runs before the end of the 5th on a regular basis, maybe he could have a win or two more, but that's just crazytalk isn't it?
And speaking of crazytalk .... picture him in pinstripes? bwaa haaahhahahhaaaa....you're killing me today man!
I’d love to see him in pinstripes...lol...go O’s...
When pigs fly ...
Unfortunately when you sign guys who know they are just holding spots for a year or two during a rebuild, this is what you get.
If we're challenging the 1963 Mets, we may be only six years away from a winning team.
The process roles on.
harvey is done
As I said last week and will probably continue to say after his future outings-to paraphrase a great man-“and that’s the end of the story, Matt Harvey, good day.”
Things are bad. We're not hearing from the optimists who said the team was about to turn around as its blossoming talent would pleasantly surprise us. We're not even getting chastised by those urging patience because the rebuild will take a few more months.
Separately, would someone explain to me the latest gem from upper management: trading journeyman Taylor Davis, an experienced, but light hitting catcher at Norfolk (BA this season .289) for a teenage outfielder whose baseball credentials consist of two seasons with Pittsburgh's team in the short season [Country name redacted to avoid accusations of racism] Summer League. His aggregate batting average there is an unimpressive .254. No signs of outrage from Pirate fans. Maybe Mike is still operating at a level well above my intellect.
Steve, the Orioles had four catchers at Norfolk, Sisco, Cumberland and Nick Ciuffo, who’s finally ready to play. Davis wasn’t going to play, and they did him a favor and sent him to an organization where he would play and have an outside chance to get back in the majors. The other three catchers at Norfolk all have better chances of making the majors than Davis does.
And Steve, Davis caught two games at Norfolk. He was an occasional DH.
Rich, I know Davis is not a budding star, but some might argue that we would have been better off getting cash in return. I'll bet that some of the harsher critics of our current catchers would argue that he would be a slight improvement and should have been promoted to the active Oriole roster.
Steve, in 10 games as a major league catcher, 13 runners tried to steal against Taylor Davis. He threw none out. People can argue that "anyone would be better than Severino," but that is not the case. Severino may not be very good, but no one seriously believes that Taylor Davis would be better.
Rich, I found it profoundly disturbing that you suggested Severino "may not be very good." What's next, you suggesting that our pitching staff is "not very good"?
[Personal plea: somebody stop me before I snark again. Thanks.]
So people are seriously talking about ANOTHER catcher being picked by the O’s, gotta be kidding me...go O’s...
It’s wearing on Rich as well, we’re all human, totally get it...go O’s...
I think Mike Elias is sitting back in his lazy boy down in Bowie, laughing at all we fans that bought in on Harvey and his quick start to the season and had visions of the Dark Knight's renaissance dancing in our heads. Mike is a smarter than the average bear. I think Harvey is doing JUST what Tank had envisioned him doing all along ... leading us to next year's number one overall draft pick. I don't think Harvey is going anywhere, anytme soon.
Remember boys, it's a process.
Drink Pepsi!
I hear ya, and I know my thinking about Harvey was akin to heresy. I was really hopeful about him until recently, but reality has crushed me.
He looks like a gamer and still hits 95, but his location and movement doesn’t seem to be there. Oh well the ship has long sailed. Done. Got it.
There is a deep and doleful malaise over bird land, that’s for sure.
I’m still hopeful and will continue to follow them.
Hey, maybe Wilkerson will break out as the next two way Shohei Ohtani…. (That’s for you, Boog)
You've made me laugh twice in a day Icty. Muy apreciado!
Maybe he isn't laughing at us because he's still embarrassed at the outcome of his proud signing of King Felix.
That was a smokescreen. This man's a genius I tell you.
Not only did Stevie prove that he is not a 2B, again... or can hit MLB pitching, again... O's have DHs who can't hit, catchers who can't catch, pitchers who can't pitch, OF's, a supposed strength, ... Mullins delivers an air mail throw; Hayes delivers a couple of strange throws, Stewart "always an adventure" in the OF making us long for the days when Mike Epstein and Boog Powell roamed the LF. Stewart looks like Marv Throneberry out there, though Marv grew his fame as a 1B, still reminded of Ol' Casey - "Does anybody here know how to play this game?" Hyde is no Casey.
Phil, As the old adage goes, "You get what you pay for."
[Personal note: please forgive my excessive commentary today. Mouthing off slightly alleviates my frustrations with a team I have embraced for a very long time. It's cheap therapy. Thank you.]
Excessive commentary? Psssshhawwwww my friend. Keep it coming, you're far from the frontrunners in excessive commentary around these parts!
;) ... winkie face for those that don't process self effacing humor in this format.
Really one of the most disappointing years to be an O’s fan, my hardest as a fan since 1966...oh well...go O’s...
CP, Prepare for worse.
Unfortunately I agree with you WV, bummer...go O’s...
C'mon man, it's a process.
Being waterboarded is also a process...so you c'mon.
:) Funny WB ...
But being an Oriole fan is slightly more torturous.
Hysterical, you guys are killing me...lol...go O’s...
This might temper your hysterics, CP: The O's just lost again.
Bad News Birds, can’t execute a basic rundown...grrrr...go O’s...