BALTIMORE—The first four innings were Matt Harvey’s best in weeks. Then came the fifth inning, and the Oriole starter’s struggles continued.
In Harvey’s previous four starts, he didn’t complete four innings. When he pitched four scoreless innings, there was hope among the 14,917 at Oriole Park on Sunday.
But Harvey gave up four runs on five hits and a walk in the fifth in the Orioles’ 7-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
It was their 10th loss in the last 11 games and dropped their record to 23-48.
Harvey (3-9) hasn’t won since May 1st, nine starts ago. He loaded the bases in the first and struck out Cavan Biggio on a 3-2 pitch, his 29th of the inning, but the scoreless inning took a toll on him later in the game.
“The long first inning kind of got to me a little bit towards the end there,” Harvey said.
The Orioles were stifled by Hyun Jin Ryu (6-4), who allowed Trey Mancini’s 13th home run in the first and just two other hits in seven innings. Ryan Mountcastle, who had three home runs and a single on Saturday, singled to follow Mancini, and Freddy Galvis had a base hit with one out in the second.
Ryu has allowed just two earned runs in 19 innings against the Orioles. He walked one and struck out four in seven.
Toronto (35-35) trailed 1-0 entering the fifth. RBI singles by Bo Bichette, Randal Grichuk and Biggio and a run-scoring double by Teoscar Hernandez gave the Blue Jays a 4-1 lead.
“Stuff was good early and wasn’t there in the fifth,” Harvey said. “I’m kicking myself. With the stuff I had early, I should have been in the sixth, seventh. There should be a lot less runs on the board.”
Manager Brandon Hyde, who was unable to use Paul Fry, Hunter Harvey, Tanner Scott and Tyler Wells for a third consecutive day, was pleased by what he saw from Harvey.
“That was the best four innings he’s thrown since he’s been here,” Hyde said.
César Valdez allowed an RBI double by Reese McGuire, his third double of the game, and an RBI single by Bichette to put Toronto ahead, 6-1.
Trent Thornton gave up Pedro Severino’s third home run, and Mancini’s second of the game, a two-run shot in the eighth. It was Mancini’s 14th home run this season and the 100th of his career, and it was meaningful because he missed the 2020 season after colon cancer surgery and chemotherapy.
“It means a lot,” Mancini said. “Especially because there were a lot of times last year where I thought I’d be always stuck on 86 and not get the opportunity to hit any more. It’s definitely something I cherish and don’t take for granted.”
McGuire’s fourth hit, a run-scoring single in the ninth against Dillon Tate, made it 7-4.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Orioles scored 11 runs. All were driven in by home runs.
“When you face good pitchers, you’ve got to string some hits together,” Hyde said. “It’s [not] something we’re doing well this year, to get really good at-bats up and down the order and grind at-bats out, but it’s nice to see us driving the ball … I’d like to have a little bit of base-hit rallies as well as home runs.”
Tyler Chatwood pitched the ninth for his first save.
Notes: The Houston Astros will play three games against the Orioles at Camden Yards beginning Monday night. Keegan Akin (0-2, 5.76 ERA) will face Jake Odorizzi (1-3, 5.68) on Monday. Jorge López (2-8, 5.95) will face Zack Greinke (7-2, 3.74) on Tuesday, and Thomas Eshelman (0-0, 1.93) will face José Urquidy (5-3, 3.65) on Wednesday …The Father’s Day crowd was the largest of the season.
Minor Matters: Infielder Gunnar Henderson, who was the Orioles’ second-round pick in 2019, was promoted from Low-A Delmarva to High-A Aberdeen. Henderson hit .312 with eight home runs and 39 RBIs for the Shorebirds.
Alexander Wells allowed four runs on seven hits, striking out five without walking a batter as Triple-A Norfolk lost to Durham, 6-5.
Second baseman Ramón Urías had a two-run home run, catcher Nick Ciuffo and first baseman Tyler Nevin each homered.
In his second home start for Double-A Bowie, Grayson Rodriguez allowed two runs on two hits in five innings, striking out eight and walking one as the Baysox lost to the Akron Rubberducks, 3-2, in 10 innings.
Cameron Bishop pitched four shutout innings, allowing three hits.
Third baseman Patrick Dorrian had a two-run home run. In his rehab stint, left fielder Yusniel Diaz hit .278. He was 1-for-4 on Sunday and will return to Norfolk on Tuesday.
Connor Gillispie allowed seven runs in three innings as Aberdeen lost to Asheville, 19-4. Gillispie gave up four of the eight home runs IronBirds’ pitching allowed.
First baseman J.D. Mundy hit a two-run home run, his seventh, and shortstop Jordan Westburg also homered.
Delmarva was no-hit for eight innings by three Salem pitchers in the Shorebirds’ 3-2 loss.
Noah Denoyer allowed two runs on three hits in four innings for Delmarva.
Rightfielder Hudson Haskin, who was the Orioles’ second-round pick in 2020, had a two-run double in the ninth inning.
Besides Henderson and Diaz, infielder JC Escarra was promoted to Norfolk. Right-handed pitcher Kyle Brnoich, infielder Toby Welk and outfielder Kyle Stowers were promoted from Aberdeen to Bowie. Outfielders Trevor Kehe and Dylan Harris moved to Aberdeen, and infielder Yorkislandy Alvarez and outfielder Lamar Sparks join Delmarva.
There are no minor league games on Monday.
Get over it: Fans often think teams have a hard time getting over a difficult loss the day before. The Orioles’ bullpen allowed six runs in the ninth to Toronto on Saturday, turning a 7-4 lead into a 10-7 setback.
“In our sport, you play every day,” Hyde said before Sunday’s game. “This team has had a bunch of tough losses the last few years. One thing I’ve noticed is that this team usually bonces back.
“Give our guys a lot of credit for that. It was a tough loss yesterday, but I don’t sense any frustrating. I think guys have turned the page pretty well in our clubhouse.”
Franco the target: Maikel Franco spent some time just before the game joking with some Blue Jays players. Franco was hit by Toronto starter Alek Manoah after Mountcastle and DJ Stewart homered in the fourth. He suspected it was coming.
“At the end of the day, I’m going to say, yes. He was working the zone pretty good,” Franco said.
He was annoyed that Manoah hit him near his head.
“Pick a spot,” he said. “My shoulder or my back is close to my face. It’s not fair. Pick a spot and be more careful.”
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It doesn’t appear as tho Harvey has the stuff to be a regular starter anymore. A hope and a prayer isn’t working. If the Birds could find another starter then I’d try Harvey in long relief since he can be effective one time through the lineup. Either that or Hyde should stack up pitchers to throw 2-3 innings each. On a positive note it’s good to see the M&M&M brothers continue to bash the ball around over the last few games.
Agree, I think we’re beating a dead horse, it’s obvious he has MLB stuff, just not the lightening fastball of days past, now he needs to learn to pitch, says the right things after every start, but makes no changes, actions speak louder than words, until he’s ready to change we’ll have the same results...go O’s...
Really glad to see they had their biggest crowd of the season on Father’s Day. Call me crazy but I think this team is on the cusp of playing some much better ball. Of course they are overdue for it but I won’t be surprised if in the next 20-30 games or so they play at about a .500 clip or better. I can feel it. Of course, I could be wrong but I won’t be at all surprised if I’m not.
I like your optimism.. it’s better then all the doom and gloom from the GM wannabes
There might not be as much gloom and doom from the GM wannabes (as you put it...not me) if the real GM didn't keep his boot on the back of the team's neck all the time.
Broken record BRR, broken record
That may well be, but the undeniable reason this team loses game after game after game is ..... Mike Elias and his plan It is was it is. If you have another plausible explanation ... please let's hear it?
Nice to hear some positives from dl and Shamus! They get it that misery and company's constant crying and criticizing is wearing thin. It seems that's all they know how to do. And from someone who thinks so much of DFA'd Sisco, shows they don't know what they're talking about! And they don't know nothing of a rebuild!
Elias has done some more promotions today showing more positive moves. Wells struggles from Norfolk does show how much pitching at Triple-A is needed for their young pitchers and to not to rush them! They use a Major League ball where the seams are not as high and there is some adjustments needed.
I thought we agreed to stay clear of each other?
I didn't mention your name here. Maybe check your guilty conscience. Otherwise stay clear of me.
Naw, naw, naw dude ...you're right after me on a common thread. We both know who you're attacking. It's more than apparent to everyone. Don't embarrass yourself denying it. The Sisco reference alone makes it obvious who exactly you're attacking. Stay clear please of me. And I'm asking nicely ... please. Pretty please.
I mentioned dl and Shamus on the common thread and NOT YOU! And I didn't attack anyone! You're the one constantly attacking, look in the mirror. The only embarrassment is you and your guilty conscience. Stay clear! And I'm asking the same.
"I didn't mention your name"... please. That sound like an excuse a 10 year old boy would use.
I notice you're steering clear of any explanation of your Sisco dig. It was pointed directly at me.
Denial is not a river in Egypt. You've always lied here, and you're lying to yourself right now. You, I and anybody else reading this knows who you were attacking. You're really pathetic. I feel so, so, sorry for you. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Don't worry I'll stay clear.
You just like to argue and call people names. That's what a 10 year old boys does when he doesn't get his way. And that's all you know how to do! Saying I'm referring to you in this post, is your reason to start another argument because that's all you know how to do. And I'm not the liar BRR, look in the mirror and then start with your posted name here "Ken" and stop lying your Boog Powell and Brooks and Frank Robinson. Liar! And as far as Sisco, you were not the only one wrong on him, your pal Dan Duquette was also! Now stay clear!
OK ... OK ... I admit it. My name really isn't Boog Robinson Robinson. How in the world did you ever find me out?
I hope you’re right dl, but .500 clip or better? Take it easy on those crazy pills.
I think its obvious that we are a better team than the wins and losses state. Sure, I understand that we are in last place and the laughingstock of baseball, but SOME optimism is in order, guys.
We do have some talent, and more cooking on the back burner. We are capable of stringing some wins together.
Hoping we play the Diamondbacks soon :)
In Mikey we trust!!!!!
Probably based on the improving offense. O’s now 19th in MLB in OPS. If I could find splits I’d bet they’re quite a bit higher if we just looked at the past month.
The limiting factor is easily the pitching. ERA is 31st in MLB and that’s probably heavily weighted to the past month as well.
Again, UO only comments on certain O’s fans, THATS the broken record...go O’s...
OriolesNumber1Fan, let me address your comments. Cry and criticize is not all I do. Most of my criticism is aimed at the state of baseball in general and not O’s in particular. Anyone who has watched baseball for as long as I have and thinks today’s game is better than even 25-30 years ago just doesn’t know baseball. I’m excited about O’s future but realistic about it as well. Success at minors doesn’t translate to success at majors very often. Time will tell how AR, GR and others will do. I’m hoping for the best. As for the rebuild, the idea is to improve every year. Hasn’t happened yet this year tho I’m still hopeful it can. Sisco? I simply thought he’d be a better player. That’s to be determined. Hope that clears some things up for you. We ok? If not, oh well.
I wasn't referring to you...
"Nice to hear some positives from dl and Shamus!" That was a positive plug for you and Shamus!
"They get it that misery and company’s constant crying and criticizing is wearing thin. It seems that’s all they know how to do."
"They get it" was referring to you and Shamus about the other posters who are "constant crying and criticizing".
So we are good!
And not just other "posters" but other negative Oriole fans in general as well!
Again, I hope you see these comments because I wasn't referring to you or Shamus! I'm working now so I'll check in later to see if you got this.
Boog & DL, well said...go O’s...
OriolesNumber1Fan, yeh, we’re good. I did misinterpret your original remarks. That’s my bad, as they say.
Great and no problem as they say! I'm just glad we're on the same page.
DL, I would be shocked if you were right. Sorry, but I don't think our pitching staff is about to unleash its pent-up power. However, there does seem to be reader support for more positivity, so let's think happy thoughts.
Not much to add to previous comments. O's seem competitive in every game. Watched Franco back up and let bouncer come to him instead of being aggressive and going after ball. Cost a DP and of course next batter got a hit to drive in a run. Little things like that will change. Wondering if the new pitcher/scrutiny rule will affect the pitching performances. The close/competitive games might be a thing of the past if the O's pitchers have to go back to their "old ways" whatever they were.
Agree Orial, can’t be passive, he let the ball play him, be aggressive, play the ball...go O’s...
enough is enough, Harvey is done like a pork roast. Where was the managers head in the fifth when disaster struck. Please do not say our bullpen was taxed so we had little choice but to leave him in, nope that doesn't cut it anymore. I though managements job was to manipulate the roster so that the team didn't have to suffer another disastrous inning by a pitcher who no longer deserves to be on the roster. Harsh words indeed but I agree with BRR that Elias is tanking but please don't let it be so obvious. Rich it has been a long and winding road but its beginning to wear on us, we deserve a break today.
Keep the faith
:)...go O’s...
This weekend typified Hyde’s mismanagement and a lack of athletic talent on this team . Your down 4 with 3 innings left and you bring in a guy in Valdez who has been hammered for the last month . You got a guy in Santander who clearly has a bad wheel you have him in the 9th because you had to substitute Hays for your other clutz DJ Stewart in left . Your playing a AAAA player at second in Wilkerson and your other 2b is only a legitimate utility guy .
Lately Santander (really even before bad wheel) seems to act indifferent and like we’re boring him to death. No smiles, no energy, no camaraderie. It’s probably not fair to assess him in this way, but shots of him in the dugout just look like he’s smugly biding his time.
I keep hearing things like “he’s a hitter - sign him”.
I just don’t know……
I’m with you Icty, just not passing the eye test....go O’s...
The manager said "That was the best 4 innings he's pitched since he's been here". The problem is, it's still a 9 inning game. Matt Harvey HAD a nice career but that was then and this is now. He's taking up a roster spot that can be used to get another waiver wire reject that Genius1 loves so much. The team stinks, I think we all agree, so why fight with each other? I think taking aim at Elias is a better fight, and more fun. Better days are coming and I sure as hell hope I'm around to enjoy them. (birthday today,,.89)
Happy Birthday Norm, totally agree with you ....go O’s...
Happy birthday! If I make it to 89 I sure hope I’m as sharp and aware as you are. Tho being an O’s fan that could be a double edged sword. Maybe I’ll be better off if I’m not aware. Enjoy your day. Hope the O’s win one for ya.
Norm, Happy Birthday . Enjoy your day and an O's win tonight
Happy Belated Birthday Norm! It’s good to know there is someone on this site who was around for the good ole days!
For the life of me, please explain how “Mikey” is keeping his boot on the neck of the team…
Do you know why we signed place holder infielders… because we had no one in the minor leagues to come up…hopefully now we have some in the pipeline that will be in Baltimore soon. It makes no sense at all to go out and sign high priced free agents to cover until the young ones come up, most big time free agents want long term contracts that would block the up and coming players. Where did Cobb, Ubaldo and company get us.
When Mike was hired, he told us there were going to be some tough lean years until the team showed improvement…so we had 2019, then a covid-19 shortened season and now this one, technically the 3rd season, but really the second full season and look at what’s happening, we are bringing up a lot of young guys, and the draft choices from the Mikey era are being promoted through the system. I don’t think most realize how barren the minor leagues really were.
Maybe Matt Harvey needs to work from bullpen
Agree, here or somewhere else, doesn’t matter, hard to move him, don’t think Mikey will release him as it’s a bad look for someone he signed, we may be stuck with him...go O’s...