CHICAGO—What happened? Although Kyle Bradish threw seven hitless innings, he knew he was leaving Sunday’s game against the Chicago White Sox after 103 pitches and four walks.
In came Danny Coulombe and out went the no hitter. Pinch-hitter Danny Mendick, the first batter Coulombe faced, hit a home run that made Coulombe feel “sick,” and the Orioles had to settle for a combined one-hitter and a 4-1 win.
Bradish, who had a late start to his season after suffering a sprain in his right ulnar collateral ligament in January, was starting for the fifth time since the injury. He struck out 11, equaling his season high, and didn’t try to convince manager Brandon Hyde he wanted to stay in the game even though he hadn’t give up a hit.
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“I kind of figured, coming off with 103 pitches, especially coming off an elbow injury,” Bradish said. “Four walks puts you out of that conversation. Maybe without those. When I left the game, I felt good with the bullpen. Pinch-hit home run happens, it’s baseball.”
In 2023, Bradish had a 2.83 earned-run average and was fourth in the American League Cy Young voting.
“It means a lot getting back to where I need to be and where I was last year,” Bradish said. “That’s a testament to the hard work I put into the rehab, where I’ve been at, gradually getting better each start.
“I wouldn’t say I had my best stuff. I walked four guys. Pregame bullpen wasn’t great. That happens sometimes. I was able to execute pitches when I needed to.”
What did Hyde think of Bradish? Hyde didn’t want to remove Bradish from the game but thought he had no other option.
“That’s difficult because you want to see him stay out there and he’s throwing the ball so great,” Hyde said. “He’s got no-hit stuff. He’s so hard to hit because he’s throwing the fastball in two different directions, and we played really good defense, also. He can punch guys out and get weak contact and get ground balls. He did that today.”
Hyde has relied on Coulombe for the last two seasons.
“Danny’s been good against right-handers this year,” Hyde said. “He didn’t get a call that would have changed the count and changed the approach there, unfortunately. Danny’s been great for us, and he’s going to continue in those spots.”
What did McCann think? Bradish’s catcher, James McCann, has caught two no-hitters in his career. When he was with the White Sox, he caught Lucas Giolito on August 26th, 2020 in Chicago, and a five-pitcher combined no-hitter with the New York Mets on April 29th, 2022.
McCann thought he had a chance for a third.
“The way Bradish was throwing, it was earlier than a lot of times,” he said. “It was like the fifth inning. I just can’t say enough good things about his location, his pitch usage, his pitch shapes. You name it, he had it today.”
McCann marvels at Bradish’s ability.
“It’s been awesome to see,” McCann said. “The biggest thing for him is learning who he is as a pitcher and understanding how to use his nasty stuff to get big league hitters out. As crazy as it sounds, it doesn’t matter how nasty you are, hitters are just as nasty. He’s figuring out how to use his stuff to get the best of the best out. It’s been a lot of fun to see that maturation process.”
How badly did Coulombe feel? Pitchers don’t get many opportunities to be a part of a no-hitter, and on a 3-1 count to Mendick, that chance was over.
“You try not to think about it,” Coulombe said. “You obviously know what’s going on. I feel sick because Bradish threw the heck out of the ball. He deserved that today. I just didn’t execute a 3-1 pitch.”
The Orioles were trying for their seventh no-hitter and their second combined one.
“Of course, it’s on your mind,” Coulombe said. “When it comes down to it, you think, ‘I’ve just got to execute a pitch at a time.’ The goal is to have a clean outing. I just didn’t execute a 3-1 pitch.
“He’s an ace, one of the best in the league. Man, the way he commanded his sinker today was just impressive … He’s got top-5 stuff … He’s impressive, and he’s even a better teammate, individual.”
Coulombe was disappointed, but he was still part of a one-hitter, and the Orioles swept their four games against the White Sox.
“I’m pissed off,” Coulombe said. “Honestly, I’m just pissed off at myself. I just feel sick ’cause he deserved that today. I didn’t do my job today.
“A sweep is great, and we needed that. I’m not happy with my performance with this team. That was a huge series for us, especially after getting swept for the first time in forever [against St.Louis]. I’m just happy we could come in here and take care of business.”
How was the Orioles’ offense? The Orioles had just one hit in the first five innings against Chicago starter Garrett Crochet, who equaled a career high with 11 strikeouts.
“That was two enormous arms,” Hyde said.
Adley Rutschman hit a two-run home run against Crochet in the sixth.
“We got lucky that Rutsch jumped on a heater there for a two-run homer because he’s really tough to hit,” Hyde said.
“That obviously gives a lot of breathing room,” McCann said. “You have a little more wiggle room to play.”
Colton Cowser hit one against Mike Soroka in the eighth, and McCann’s sacrifice fly in the ninth drove in the fourth run.
After their regular-season sweepless streak ended at 106 when they lost three games in St. Louis, the Orioles rebounded with four straight wins.
“Give our guys a lot of credit after the way this road trip started,” Hyde said. “The St. Louis series sucked, and we didn’t play real well. We didn’t get many breaks, and then we come here and win four games. That’s huge.”
The Orioles set a season high by striking out 16 times in a game that started one hour, 40 minutes late. Five of the last eight games have been delayed.
“It’s been a lot of sitting around and waiting,” Hyde said. “Delays, you can become complacent. You can get flat really easily.”
What’s the word? “No choice there, unfortunately. It’s 103 pitches, and he hasn’t gone that far, coming off an elbow strain earlier.”-Hyde on removing Bradish
What does it mean? The four-game sweep was huge, even if it was against arguably the worst team in baseball. After the three-game sweep in St. Louis, the Orioles ended up with a winning road trip.
What’s the stat of the day? The Orioles were trying for their first combined no-hitter since July 13th, 1991 when Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan, Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson no-hit the Oakland Athletics.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Second baseman Jackson Holliday’s ninth-inning single capped a two-out, three-run rally that propelled Triple-A Norfolk to a 9-8 win over Worcester. The Tides were trailing, 8-6, entering the ninth. Catcher Maverick Handley had a two-run single. Shortstop Terrin Vavra and third baseman Nick Maton homered.
Shortstop Anthony Servideo and centerfielder Dylan Beavers homered in Double-A Bowie’s 8-7 loss to Richmond. Starter Trace Bright allowed two runs, one unearned, on one hit in 4 1/3 innings.
Jersey Shore scored 10 runs in the sixth inning on the way to an 11-1 win over High-A Aberdeen. Ronald Guzman allowed six runs without retiring a batter. The IronBirds had just three hits.
Aberdeen right-hander Moises Chacé, who collided with a baserunner on Friday night, was diagnosed with a concussion and was placed on the injured list.
Centerfielder Aron Estrada had three hits, including his first home run, in Single-A Delmarva’s 7-3 loss to Columbia.
What’s next? The Orioles open a series with the Boston Red Sox on Monday. Cole Irvin (4-2, 3.15) will face Cooper Criswell (2-1, 2.86) at 1:05 p.m.
Call for questions: Each weekday, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles’ question. Please send yours to: [email protected]