BALTIMORE—When the Orioles decided to recall Mike Baumann from Triple-A Norfolk to fill the spot of the injured Jorge López, they decided to put him in the bullpen.
Before he sprained his right ankle on Monday, López had found success in the bullpen. Baumann also found success there on Tuesday night in his major league debut.
Baumann, who was a starter in the minor leagues, relieved Alexander Wells to begin the fifth and threw 3 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run to pick up the win in the Orioles’ 7-3 win over the Kansas City Royals before an announced crowd of 4,981 at Camden Yards, the lowest since full capacity was allowed on June 1st.
Baumann inherited a 6-2 lead, and had a 1-2-3 fifth. With the help of a fine play by second baseman Jahmai Jones to rob Andrew Benintendi of a hit in the sixth, had a perfect sixth, too.
In the seventh, Baumann got two outs, the second on his first strikeout, before Whit Merrifield doubled over third base. He retired Nicky Lopez on a grounder to short to end the seventh.
Salvador Perez singled to start the eight and, after two fly balls to Cedric Mullins in center, Benintendi walked, and Dillon Tate relieved Baumann.
“It was everything and more,” Baumann said of his debut. “I didn’t really know what the moment would be like. Everything was kind of like a blur. Looking back on it, I don’t even remember much of what happened on the mound. Walking off the field and hearing the fans, that was a cool moment. That was definitely something to remember.”
Edward Olivares beat out an infield hit to load the bases, and third baseman Kelvin Gutiérrez booted Michael A. Taylor’s infield grounder, allowing Perez to score.
Tate struck out Ryan O’Hearn looking, and Baumann’s line was complete. He allowed an unearned run on two hits, walking one and striking out one.
“I remember feeling pretty nervous at the beginning of the game and easing into warming up and going out there,” Baumann said. “I felt like I settled down after those first couple of pitches. As each inning went on, I felt like I settled more and more into the game.”
After Sunday’s one-run win against the New York Yankees, manager Brandon Hyde said he would be fine if his team won a 7-2 game. It nearly did.
“I could have done without the bases loaded, tying run in the eighth,” Hyde said.
The Orioles (44-93) handed a four-run lead to Wells, who was making his fourth major league start and his first at home. Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle were walked by Jackson Kowar (0-3). Anthony Santander’s single to right scored Mullins, and Austin Hays’ grounder to short scored Mountcastle.
With two outs, DJ Stewart homered to center, his 12th, and the Orioles led, 4-0.
In the third, Kansas City (62-76) scored on an RBI single by Lopez. In the bottom of the inning, Hays hit a two-run home run, his 16th, that extended his hitting streak to 14 games and put the Orioles ahead, 6-1
Carlos Santana’s 19th homer cut the lead to 6-2 with one out in the fourth. With two outs, Kansas City loaded the bases against Wells before Merrifield lined to Hays to end the inning.
Wells allowed two runs on five hits in four innings, walking two and striking out two.
Mullins’ 27th home run in the seventh gave the Orioles a 7-2 lead.
In the last two days, the Orioles have seen encouraging performances from Baumann, Wells and Zac Lowther, three homegrown products.
“It’s awesome. It’s good to see Zac and Mike pitching well,” Wells said. “It’s just like back in Bowie in 2019. It’s good to be around them again and, hopefully, we can build off each other and go out and be competitive and put up some good numbers.”
Notes: Matt Harvey (6-14, 6.28 ERA) will face Mike Minor (8-12, 5.25) on Wednesday night. … Baumann is the ninth Oriole reliever to earn a win in his first appearance, the first since Alberto Castillo on April 28, 2008. … Baumann is the 15th Oriole to make his major league debut this season, tying the club record set in 2018, and is the 57th player used by the Orioles, one short of the franchise record set in 2019.
Minor league update: Ryan Hartmann allowed a run on two hits in five innings as Triple-A Norfolk beat Durham, 3-1 Hartman (1-0) struck out five and didn’t walk a batter. First baseman Tyler Nevin and catcher Adley Rutschman homered.
Kyle Brnovich pitched five innings, allowing an unearned run on five hits, as Double-A Bowie beat, Somerset 7-3. Brnovich (1-1) struck out six without walking a batter. Designated hitter Tony Welk hit his 10th home run and scored three runs.
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson had an RBI triple in High-A Aberdeen’s 6-2 loss to Wilmington. Ryan Watson (3-2) allowed three runs in two innings of relief.
Centerfielder Colton Cowser, third baseman Coby Mayo and first baseman Jacob Teter each had two hits in Low-A Delmarva’s 7-6 loss to Fredericksburg.
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Glad to see Hartman & Brnovich were able to make it five innings, it was priceless watching Baumans family changing seats to see their sons debut, panning the crowd (sorry, empty seats) was depressing, would’ve never guessed there were 1,000 in attendance, oh well…go O’s…
You can see why Baumann is good. He actually has command. Can spot the fastball where he wants. Why not just start him and put Wells in the bullpen? Wells seems like he profiles better as a long reliever anyway. Tyler Wells has been impressive. I think he has what it takes to be a long term option at closer.
A lot to be cheerful about,the future is getting closer BUT one thing kinda knocked the air out of all that--4,981. Geesh!! I hope they(fans)come back,not just a little but with vengeance. Baumann pitches to contact but they're all outs. Tough,no nonsense demeanor on the hull. Similar to Tyler Wells. The "Glasses/Goggles" the O's pitchers are wearing could be the start of a new trend maybe? Seen it mentioned a lot but yes Guttierrez really looks like a ballplayer/athlete. Will it ever happen? Unfortunately his window is small. Stewart gives us a ray of hope then swings through a head high fastball for a K. K. Brown and Ben rolling out some impressive Adley stats. But we must wait. Wondering who will back him up. Not Severino-too much arbitration money. Overall liking what I see--except the turnstile.
How about Cumberland and his .400 OBP! Oops, forgot about the .197 average!
Bauman was very impressive indeed. You also had to like what you saw with Wells. Even though we need to remember this was Kansas City we were playing, it doe give us a bit of hope for next year.
Another example of just how bare the cupboard was when Dan Duquette was fired.
Dan Duquette was the worste GM this franchise has ever had. Nobody he ever drafted has amounted to anything! Putting Ubado in that playoff game against the Blue Jays was the most rediculous move ever by a baseball GM.
Mike Elias will take our O's to the top of the mountain in no time at all
Go Orioles Number 1!!!
Buck Showalter chose Ubaldo over Zach Britton in that game, not the GM.
With a 6-2 lead it would have been nice to see Wells get a chance for three more outs and a win. Bauman was impressive. An “announced” crowd of 4,900 is pretty sad, even for a last place team. Although seeing the Yankees sinking brightens any day.
Great to see Baumann up and pitch well. He’s a big part of the future. Add in Rutschman and Rodriguez next year and things are looking up quickly.. Mullins, Mancini, Rutschman, Mountcastle, Hays, Santander, Stowers, Westburg, Mateo, Ortiz, Cowser, Kjerstad, etc…
Fun game to watch!
Also, y'all, great article by Joe Trezza all about Rutschman. More in depth about his character, his family, his story. His intangibles.
"Trust the process!"
Yesyes! Here it is:
https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/featured/orioles-prospect-adley-rutschman-keeps-climbing
Wow, BEST O’s article I’ve read in a long time, of course you ask yourself “Why isn’t he up here now”, outstanding…go O’s…
We know why. Just some won't admit it. :)
Amazing what can happen when we get a little above average pitching and the bats actually work. Shocker - we have a chance to win.
At OPACY, yikes: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article254065403.html
Go O’s…
Might explain only around 4,000 at games, too many rats…lol…go O’s…
Great article regarding Adley Rutschman!!! All the talk regarding him since he was drafted, you would have thought he was a veteran player on the Orioles. When in reality he hasn't even played 1 full season of pro ball yet!!! There's one reason and why he's not yet on the Orioles roster!!!
Mike Elias knows what he's doing and whenever he does join the Orioles, that's when he will be ready!!! A .271 hitter at Bowie where he had most of his AB's this year and his 2 homers and 9 RBI's at Norfolk doesn't show he should be brought up the Major Leagues just yet, but he's getting closer!!! When he puts together the hitting avg at Norfolk and the power numbers at Bowie is when that should happen. And I can't wait for him to put it all together. This kid is going to be a special player.
But enough about Rutschman for now. The young pitchers seem to be pitching a lot better and beating the Yanks and the Royals is all the talk that should be happening right now!!! I'm sure pitching coach Chris Holt has a lot to do with that!!! Getting Keegan Akin to buy in on his new windup or lack thereof was another key change he's been doing with the young pitchers along with all the analytics he's been trying to teach them. Especially after last year season with only 60 games!!! Also all the young pitchers Mike Elias drafted and traded for, all performed really well last night!!! Getting them through a full and healthy season after only 60 games last year is the key not only for next year but for their careers.
Wow ...you really do know everything about baeball, especially the Orioles! Where do you get your information? Your right about Mike Elias, he's great and has us shooting to the top in no time!!!
Go Orioles #1
I've been following the Orioles since I was 5 years old. I also played the game of baseball since I was 5 years old. Could have played pro ball if I didn't get hurt. But God had a different plan for me.
I thank God for my parents, who persuaded me to go on to college. Where I earned my degrees in IT and played softball for my local bar team instead. Word of mouth quickly got me on several other softball teams as well where I played ball every night. Sometimes twice a night. I also played in softball tournaments on every weekend! So I got my dream to play ball but in a different way and literally played every day.
Funny ... you didn't mention your Division I baseball career in this post.
Wow! Did you really play college baseball? Awesome!
Yes, that's when I got hurt toward the end of my 1st year of college. But the scout from the Toledo Mud Hens saw me play back in high school and wanted to sign me to play right then and there. My Dad said "no, you're going to college!!!". And I thank God for my parents every day. Not just for that but how they brought me up too.
Lies do not become us.
The only liar on this site is you. Starting with your lie of a name. You're just a jealous bitch who talks tough and never backs it up.
:)
Anyone for a game of DarioKart? Basements free…go O’s…
Here's another name calling jealous bitch who can't back it up. What, you ran out of stealing DLR quotes?
You make me laugh, for an old guy I GUARANTEE you wouldn’t last 5 minutes with me, if the people in charge had any nuts you’d be shut down for your language, go back to the basement…go O’s…
Palsey or is it pansy - Time and place you f'n clown! I'll drop you like a bad habit.