BALTIMORE—The Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies began what many hope was a preview of the 2024 World Series on Friday night, and the sellout crowd of 43,987 was treated to a tense game in a playoff atmosphere. It took 11 innings, and a 71-minute rain delay that interrupted the drama, before Alec Bohm’s two-run double against Jacob Webb (1-4) gave Philadelphia a 5-3 win over the Orioles.
The big news afte the game, though, was that Oriole starter Kyle Bradish, whose season was delayed by a sprain of the right ulnar collateral ligament, left after five innings because of elbow soreness.
The pitching matchup of Ranger Suárez and Bradish produced few runs, but it lasted just five innings and 74 pitches for Bradish. Manager Brandon Hyde said after the game that Bradish said his elbow was bothering him. Hyde said Bradish, who left with the Orioles trailing 2-1, will undergo tests.
Anthony Santander’s home run on a high fastball tied it at 2-2 in the eighth and set up a number of thrilling plays and managerial decisions.
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Kyle Schwarber’s bases-loaded single against Cionel Pérez gave the Phillies a 3-2 lead in the top of the 10th. He had just replaced Yennier Cano. The Phillies’ Johan Rojas was thrown out at the plate by an exceptional throw by a charging Santander in right and an equally good tag by catcher James McCann to keep it a one-run game.
In the bottom of the 10th, Cedric Mullins scored the tying run on a wild pitch by Orion Kerkering (2-0). Kerkering’s wild pitch caromed off the brick behind home plate and bounced back to catcher Rafael Marchán, but Mullins slid around his tag. He was called out but then was ruled safe on replay.
As the home crowd erupted, the rain came. Whit Merrifield was the automatic runner at second to start the 11th and the Orioles intentionally walked Bryce Harper to face Bohm, who hit a Webb fastball over the head of leftfielder Austin Hays for the winning runs.
Seranthony Dominguez pitched the 11th for the Phillies (47-22) and recorded his first save.
Bradish who had a late start to his season because of the sprained ulnar collateral ligament, threw seven hitless innings in Chicago on May 26th, and on June 1st, gave up five runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay.
After Hyde gave him two extra days of rest, Bradish pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just one hit last Saturday.
Schwarber led off the game with his 14th home run, and Marchán, who was playing in just his second game this season, hit his first home run with two outs in the fifth.
In the five innings, Bradish allowed two runs on three hits, walking one and striking out four.
Suárez, whose record remains 11-1, allowed doubles to Mullins and Jordan Westburg in the third, and overall gave up the run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings.
The Orioles (45-24), who have lost two home games in succession for just the second time this season, had a chance in the seventh when James McCann singled with one out. After Mullins flied to center, Jeff Hoffman replaced Suárez and gave up a double to Westburg. With runners on second and third, Adley Rutschman was called out on strikes to end the seventh.
Suárez allowed one run on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
Keegan Akin pitched three perfect innings, his longest outing since September 28th, 2022, to keep the Orioles within striking distance.
Matt Strahm allowed Santander’s 15th home run with two outs in the eighth, and the score was tied at 2.