Orioles limit White Sox to 1 hit in 4-1 win; Benches empty after Mateo is hit; Kjerstad homers

CHICAGO—The Orioles won the first game of their four-game series with the Chicago White Sox behind strong pitching and stellar outfield defense. On Friday, it was pitching and aggressiveness that carried them to their third straight win, 4-1, over the White Sox before an announced crowd of 27,943 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Austin Voth, who started because Kyle Bradish has right shoulder inflammation, and four relievers allowed just one hit, the Orioles’ first one-hitter since July 21^st, 2019. Oriole pitchers retired the final 19 batters in a row.

“All those guys had great stuff,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “These guys are just exceeding expectations. I’m just really happy and proud of them.”

The five pitchers were all waiver-wire claims.

“You obviously have a lot of confidence because the majority of the time, you hand them the ball, and they’re getting the job done and they’re pitching with emotion. They’re pitching with energy. They’re pitching with a chip on their shoulder,” Hyde said. “It’s fun to watch them. They have great stuff, but they’re made right, too, and they’re competing with each other, too.”

The Orioles (33-39) have won three straight for the second time this season and are six games under .500 for the first time since May 14^th. They’ve won 33 in 72 games. In 2021, their 33^rd win came in their 97^th game.

Jake Burger’s RBI double in the second inning was the only hit for Chicago (33-36).

Oriole centerfielder Cedric Mullins led off with a bunt single against White Sox starter Michael Kopech. It was his third bunt hit of the season. Mullins stole second, his 16^th, moved to third on an infield out by Trey Mancini and scored on a wild pitch by Kopech.

In the second inning, shortstop Jorge Mateo was hit in the back by Kopech (2-4) with two outs, and he started yelling at Kopech because it appeared intentional.

“He gets hit in the back there after squaring a bunt. He didn’t like it,” Hyde said. “It was one of those competitive things that happened. We moved on pretty quickly.”

On Thursday, Dean Kremer hit Chicago second baseman Josh Harrison with a pitch on his right triceps, causing him to leave the game. Harrison was not in the lineup on Friday.

Both benches and bullpens emptied. Hyde tried to hold back his players. No punches were thrown, and after some milling around, both benches were warned against retaliation.

After the game, Mateo said he didn’t think Kopech was trying to hurt him.

“I really don’t think so. I don’t know what happened there … but I don’t think it was intentional,” Mateo said through Orioles translator Ramón Alarcón.

Mateo stole second. White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson jawed at Mateo, and third base umpire John Tumpane and crew chief Marvin Hudson warned Anderson against trash talking.

“In the heat of the moment, it’s normal,” Mateo said. “People start talking, saying stuff. You feel something. You feel uncomfortable, but it’s normal in the heat of the moment.”

Mateo said he wasn’t sure why Anderson was yelling at him.

“In reality, I really wasn’t understanding what he was saying,” Mateo said. “He started saying some words, but I didn’t understand what he was saying. I was trying to figure it out.”

Richie Martin’s single scored Mateo for a 2-0 lead.

Chicago scored in the second on AJ Pollock’s one-out walk and Burger’s two-out double.

In the fourth, catcher Adley Rutschman doubled with one out. In the second, he was robbed of another extra-base hit when Pollock made a diving in left. Rutschman moved to third on an infield out by third baseman Tyler Nevin and scored on a balk by Kopech to put the Orioles ahead, 3-1.

Mateo walked and then stole second, his 19^th steal of the season, but didn’t score.

“I feel very good, very happy that we were able to finish the game and win the game, and tomorrow hopefully win the series,” Mateo said.

Voth pitched three innings, allowing a run on three hits. It was his longest stint since 2020 and he’ll now be part of the rotation because Bradish is on the 15-day injured list.

“It’s been fun. I haven’t been able to do this since 2020,” Voth said. “I’m enjoying it, for sure.”

Joey Krehbiel relieved him and retired all seven batters to face him. Bryan Baker and Cionel Pérez each recorded four straight outs, and Jorge López pitched a spotless ninth for his 13^th save.

“The bullpen is just incredible right now,” Voth said. “It’s a lot of fun to watch. There’s a lot of great guys, and they’re pitching great, and I love rooting behind them.

“All these guys are talented, and it just shows that you can rebuild your career and continue to have success. You just have to have an opportunity. I think that’s what these guys are doing.”

In the eighth, Trey Mancini and Austin Hays doubled for the Orioles’ final run.

Notes: The Orioles stole five bases, their most since July 25^th, 2019. Mateo and Martin each stole two bases. Mullins stole one. … Spenser Watkins (0-1, 6.00) will face Lance Lynn (1-0, 5.79). A pitcher must be cut to make room for Watkins.

Minor league update: Triple-A Norfolk pounded out 21 hits in their 10-7 win over Lehigh Valley. The 21 hits are two short of their franchise record. Shortstop Jordan Westburg had five hits and is batting .413. Rightfielder Kyle Stowers and leftfielder Shed Long had four hits.

Stowers hit a two-run home run, his 13^th. Third baseman Gunnar Henderson had three hits, including his third homer. Designated hitter DJ Stewart had three hits and is hitting .347.

According to Tides broadcaster Pete Michaud, outfielder Robert Neustrom injured his shoulder in a collision with the outfield wall and could be out a week or two. Infielder Terrin Vavra is cleared to return after he was hit in the head by a pitch on Thursday night. Pitcher Denyi Reyes returned after being on paternity leave.

Drew Rom and Noah Denoyer combined to limit Erie to three hits in Double-A Bowie’s 4-0 win. The Baysox broke a five-game losing streak. Rom (3-1) allowed two hits, walked two and struck out seven. Denoyer gave up just one hit in four innings, recording his second save. Centerfielder Hudson Haskin hit his eighth home run and designated hitter Adam Hall had three hits.

Four High-A Aberdeen pitchers limited Wilmington to three hits in a 4-0 IronBirds win. Peter Van Loon, who was part of a combined no-hitter last Saturday, gave up three hits in four innings. Thomas Girard (1-0), Carson Carter and Xavier Moore pitched five perfect innings, striking out six. Third baseman Coby Mayo had two hits.

Heston Kjerstad hit his first professional home run in the ninth inning in Single-A Delmarva’s 5-4 loss to Lynchburg. Kjerstad, who played right field, had two hits, and is hitting .405. Second baseman Anthony Servideo drove in two runs.