Kremer’s sharp return, O’Hearn’s timely hitting lead Orioles to 4-1 win over Mariners

What happened? Dean Kremer started for the first time since May 20^th and pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits as the Orioles won for the sixth time in seven games, 4-1 over the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday night.

The Orioles (55-31) lead the American League East by two games over the New York Yankees, who lost to Cincinnati, 3-2.

Kremer (4-4), who was on the 15-day injured list with a strained right triceps muscle, won his first game since May 5^th. He struck out eight and walked two.

“When a guy’s coming off the IL, you have no idea what to expect,” manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Seattle. “For him to go on a big league mound on the road and go five scoreless innings, that’s as good as he’s been all year.”

Ryan O’Hearn, who was a finalist for the American League All-Star team as its designated hitter, drove in three runs with a two-run double in the third and his 11^th home run in the fifth.

“He’s been doing this all year for us,” Hyde said. “Hits after hits in big spots.”

Ryan Mountcastle, who returned to the lineup after missing three games because of illness, drove in the other run with a single against Seattle starter Logan Gilbert (5-5).

O’Hearn wasn’t necessarily expecting an All-Star selection. He’ll find out on Sunday if he’ll be a reserve. “It means everything. A couple of years ago, this was a pipe dream,” O’Hearn said on the MASN postgame broadcast.

“When I came to Baltimore, it seems like everything changed,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen if I’m going to make it or not. I’m just feeling very blessed, very grateful just to make it this far.”

Catcher Adley Rutschman and shortstop Gunnar Henderson were elected to the AL starting team. O’Hearn, Mountcastle, Jordan Westburg and Anthony Santander finished second.

Seattle (47-41) scored its only run on Cal Raleigh’s sixth-inning home run against Keegan Akin.

With Jorge Polanco at first and two outs, Santander made a diving catch to end the seventh.

Jacob Webb and Cionel Pérez finished the sixth, seventh and eighth without allowing a run.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a spotless ninth for his 21^st save and the 438^th of his career, passing Francisco Rodriguez for fourth place on the all-time saves list.

Before the game, Hyde told reporters that for the time being, Cole Irvin would move to the bullpen.

Why was Kremer so effective? Kremer had three rocky rehab starts for Triple-A Norfolk but was outstanding in his return.

“Very pleased, shows that what I’ve been working on and chipping away at is coming to fruition,” Kremer told reporters in Seattle. “Very happy with the direction it’s been going.”

During the time Kremer was on the injured list, John Means, Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish had season-ending elbow surgery.

“Glad to be back [after] watching these guys grind through one of the tougher months this season,” he said. “It sucks to lose anybody because we’re such a close-knit group. But like last year, it’s the ‘next man up,’ somebody’s got to fill the shoes and I think we’ve done a pretty good job at that.”

O’Hearn knows how important Kremer is, especially because so many starters have been lost.

“All of his pitches for strikes,” O’Hearn said. “Commanding the zone. He had great stuff. We need that out of him. It’s going to be tough down the stretch. Dean’s a big guy for us, and we need him to do what he did tonight.” 

What do the All-Stars think? Henderson and Rutschman are starting in the All-Star Game for the first time. Rutschman was a reserve last year and competed in the Home Run Derby.

‘It definitely was a goal of mine this year,’ Rutschman said in Seattle. “I feel fortunate to go. To be named a starter is a cherry on top.”

“It’s very special to me. I was his first roommate when I got into pro ball,” Henderson said in Seattle.

Henderson and Rutschman hope more Orioles are chosen when pitchers and reserves are announced on Sunday.

“Everybody’s very deserving,” Henderson said.

“I hope we have a ton of guys,” Rutschman said. “I’d love to experience all that with them. I’d like to have a nice little crew and go through it all together.”

What’s the word? “It’s really cool to be able to do that, get our first starts in the same year is pretty unreal.”-Henderson on the first All-Star Game starts for him and Rutschman.

What does it mean? Hyde was marveling at Kremer’s start, and he’s appreciative of how well Cade Povich and Albert Suárez have done in the absence of Bradish, Means and Wells.

“They’ve done an amazing job. You couldn’t ask for anything more,” Hyde said. “We had some guys go down that are really good pitchers and our guys have stepped up. To have Dean back tonight and look the way he did, that was awesome.”

What’s the stat of the day?  2. After Kremer allowed 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings in his three rehab starts, he gave up just two hits in five innings.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Centerfielder Kyle Stowers hit a two-run home run, his 16^th, in Norfolk’s 3-2 loss to Charlotte in 11 innings. Bruce Zimmermann allowed a run on two hits in three innings. Zimmermann struck out four and walked two. It was Zimmermann’s first start for the Tides since May 11^th because of a hamstring injury.

Catcher Samuel Basallo hit a three-run home run, his 12^th, and third baseman Ryan Higgins hit his third home run in Double-A Bowie’s 9-5 loss to Richmond.

Designated hitter Noelberth Romero homered in High-A Aberdeen’s 6-5 loss to Greensboro in 10 innings. Centerfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. stole his 40^th base.

Single-A Delmarva Infielder/outfielder Aron Estrada has been named the Carolina League Player of the Month for June. Estrada hit his eighth home run in the Shorebirds’ 4-3 loss to Fredericksburg in 10 innings.

Right-handed pitcher Kiefer Lord, who was the Orioles’ third-round pick in the 2023 draft, had Tommy John surgery.

What’s next? Corbin Burnes (9-3, 2.28) will face Bryce Miller (6-7, 3.88) Thursday at 4:10 p.m. in the final game of the three-game series.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com