Bradish allows 9 runs in Orioles’ 14-6 loss to Phillies; Hall’s 1st spring outing; Vespi, Zimmermann optioned

CLEARWATER, Florida—What’s happening? Cole Irvin will make his fourth start of the spring when the Orioles play the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium at 1:05 p.m. on Tuesday.

Irvin has allowed three runs on four hits in 9 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking one.

He’ll be opposed by Chris Sale, who has started just 11 times since 2019. He has pitched five scoreless innings this spring, allowing three hits and striking out seven without walking a batter.

The game will be televised on MASN with Geoff Arnold and Jim Palmer.

Dean Kremer will start Wednesday at Toronto in Dunedin against José Berrios. Grayson Rodriguez will start Thursday night against Detroit.

Tyler Wells, who had his strongest start of the season on Sunday against the New York Yankees in Tampa when he allowed one run on five hits in 3 2/3 innings and struck out three without walking a batter, will get another start, manager Brandon Hyde said.

Outfielder Anthony Santander, who played for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, is expected to be in the Orioles’ lineup on Tuesday.

“He had an amazing experience,” Hyde said. “I’m really proud of him and what he did there. I’m looking forward to seeing him tomorrow.”

Adley Rutschman will catch in consecutive games near the end of spring training, Hyde said.

The announcement of the Opening Day starter, which is expected to be Kyle Gibson, could come on Tuesday.

The Orioles reduced their camp roster t0 46, cutting five players. Left-handers Nick Vespi and Bruce Zimmermann were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Infielder Lewin Díaz, who hasn’t played since March 12^th because of left shoulder discomfort, left-handed pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez and catcher Mark Kolozsvary were assigned to minor league camp.

Vespi had a late start because of January hernia surgery. Zimmermann, who started the home opener last season but spent much of the season with Norfolk, found himself behind too many other starting candidates.

Díaz’s injury prevented him for seriously competing for the final position player spot. Hernandez, who was with Venezuela for the WBC, didn’t have much of a chance to crack the bullpen. Kolosvary, Anthony Bemboom and Maverick Handley are competing for jobs at Norfolk.

What happened? Kyle Bradish allowed nine runs on nine hits in 2 1/3 innings as the Orioles lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 14-6, before an announced crowd of 8,144 at BayCare Ballpark on Monday.

After retiring the Phillies in order, Bradish allowed seven runs in the second before being removed with two outs only to be brought back for the third when he allowed four more.

“I just got out of the zone. I didn’t throw a lot of strikes today,” Bradish said. “Tempo was a little off. I was messing with a new set position with my hands. That could have been it, but I think the main thing was strikes.”

Entering the game, Bradish had allowed just two runs on four hits in nine innings.

“In the moment, this one sucks. Don’t want to have an outing like this ever when we’re this close to the season,” Bradish said. “Based on my performances early in the spring, I don’t think this is an indicator of really anything, just one of those days.”

Blaine Knight allowed back-to-back home runs in the second to Rhys Hoskins and Alec Bohm.

“Just didn’t have his command today,” Hyde said. “Looked like a lot of fastballs up. Didn’t have much of a feel for his breaking ball, it looked like. Hopefully, he’ll flush that one and be good next one.”

Félix Bautista recorded two outs in the fourth before he walked three straight batters and was removed from the game.

“He was up in the zone, above the zone,” Hyde said. “His stuff was good. He had a spring training outing. He hasn’t been out there much, and I think a lot of guys have those kind of outings.

Bautista was replaced by Andrew Politi, who recorded four outs and walked a batter.

In his first appearance this spring because of a sore back, DL Hall retired the three batters he faced in the sixth but allowed three runs, two unearned, on three hits in the seventh. Minor league first baseman Curtis Terry’s error was the key play.

“Just good to toe the rubber again,” Hall said. “Can’t complain.”

Hall thought his second inning wasn’t much worse than his first.

“I think I still got weak contact,” Hall said. “I don’t think there was much difference.”

Hall thinks he’ll be pitching again on Saturday, which would allow him to build up to starting.

“Just getting my feet wet again, getting going. I’m excited to being back out there.”

Hall threw 43 pitches, about what he threw in Thursday’s simulated game.

“Definitely started to wear down. It’s a little different level of energy you’re having to use in a real live game situation. I definitely felt like I get a little bit tired, but that’s part of the buildup,” Hall said.

“We didn’t make a couple of plays there,” Hyde said. “He could have had an easy two innings. He had really good stuff. Loved the changeups and the breaking balls. It was just great to see him out there … Looked like he hadn’t missed much time.”

Hyde reiterated that no decision has been made on Hall.

“We’re keeping our options open with him,” he said. “We’re going to continue to stretch him out. We’re not set in any way with our ‘pen, rotation. We’re going to keep our options open with all these guys.”

Gunnar Henderson hit his first home run of the spring, a three-run shot.

What’s up with? Tyler Wells said his improved results on Sunday were helped by an adjustment in positioning his glove while delivering.

“Getting comfortable with that. I was definitely happy with how I felt out there, the ability to command the zone,” Wells said. “No walks, obviously. Got myself into some deeper counts and foul ball wars which ultimately ran the pitch count up, but I think overall, it was good to get a ground ball double play, get out of some trouble…getting through trouble and not letting it blow up in your face.”

What’s what? Terrin Vavra started the game at third base and, after three innings, he switched positions with first baseman Josh Lester. It was the first time Vavra played first base as a pro. The ability to play first base could be a decider for the final position player spot.

What’s the word? “I thought I threw a lot of good pitches to good locations. We weren’t getting the calls on some of them. They put some good swings on there. Just one of those days.”-Bradish on his outing.

What’s the number? 4. Colton Cowser struck out four times. He has struck out 15 times in 32 at-bats. Cowser also has walked 13 times.

What’s the record? 12-11-2. The Orioles will play the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium.