Burnes pitches well but bullpen collapses in Orioles’ 7-3 loss to Mariners

What happened? J.P. Crawford’s three-run, seventh-inning double broke a 2-2 tie and sent the Seattle Mariners to a 7-3 win over the Orioles on Thursday at T-Mobile Stadium.

Seattle (48-41) scored five runs in the seventh against Bryan Baker (1-1) and Keegan Akin.

Julio Rodríguez doubled against Baker to start the seventh, and Ty France walked. Rodriguez stole third. Josh Rojas struck out. Mitch Haniger walked, and Ryan Bliss struck out.

Akin replaced Baker and gave up the bases-clearing double and a two-run home run to Mitch Garver for a 7-2 Mariners lead.

“A really poorly pitched seventh,” manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Seattle. “Almost got out of it. Akin falls behind 3-0 and then has to come in. You’ve got to do a better job in that kind of situation.”

Seattle’s Ryne Stanek (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh.

The Orioles (55-32) had won the first two games of the series and five of their previous six. They lead New York by two games in the American League East. They Yankees lost three straight to Cincinnati.

In his last start before pitchers are named for the All-Star team, Oriole starter Corbin Burnes allowed two runs on four hits in six innings.

“He threw the ball great once again,” Hyde said.

Burnes, whose start was delayed by a day because his wife gave birth to twin girls on Friday, allowed a leadoff single to Crawford in the first, then retired 12 straight until Rodríguez led off the fifth with a home run on an 0-2 count, the first time Burnes has allowed a homer on 0-2.

“We made some big pitches when we needed to. One mistake there to Julio, a poor cutter,” Burnes told reporters. “Threw more pitches than I wanted to but for the most part was pretty pleased with it.”

Seattle’s France and Rojas singled, and Haniger walked. France scored when Bliss hit into a double play to tie it at 2.

“After an extended layoff and his in-between start routine interrupted, he gave us a great chance to win,” Hyde said.

Gunnar Henderson hit a two-run home run, his 27^th , against Seattle starter Bryce Miller in the third. Jordan Westburg hit his 14^th home run in the eighth.

Henderson also hit a double in the first, but was thrown out at third, and singled. He hadn’t homered since June 26^th.

“I feel like I made some steps in the right direction today,” Henderson said.

Triple-A Norfolk manager Buck Britton will pitch to him at the Home Run Derby.

“It’s going to be pretty special,” Henderson told reporters. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Buck at the minor league level and in spring training. I’m pumped up for it.”

How many All-Stars will the Orioles have? Henderson and Adley Rutschman will start the July 16^th All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas. Burnes is likely to join them when the pitchers and reserves are named on Sunday, though he said he’d have to discuss it with his wife if chosen.

He’s 9-3 with a 2.28 earned-run average and has 12 quality starts in his last 13 outings.

Four Orioles — Westburg, designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, outfielder Anthony Santander and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle — finished second in the voting.

Westburg might have a hard time because he’s considered a third basemen, the position where he’s played most often. He faces strong competition from players whose teams must have an All-Star. They include Boston’s Rafael Devers, Tampa Bay’s Isaac Parades, Los Angeles’ Luis Rengifo and Minnesota’s Jose Miranda.

Detroit also needs a representative, and Riley Greene could force Santander to watch.

Grayson Rodriguez and Craig Kimbrel also could be candidates. Rodriguez has 10 wins, one fewer than Kansas City’s Seth Lugo. Kimbrel’s 21 saves are second only to Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase.

Clase and Mason Miller, whose Oakland Athletics need a representative, are good choices. Kimbrel, who passed Francisco Rodriguez for fourth place on the all-time saves list on Friday night, has been an All-Star nine times. At least three relievers must be on the 12-man pitching staff.

Last year, the Orioles had four representatives — Rutschman, Austin Hays  and relievers Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano.

Having four or more would be terrific. The Orioles had five All-Stars in 2013 and 2016. More than that in the 15-team league era would be surprising.

What’s the word? “There probably will be a couple of swings where I go the other way. The majority will be gap and pull side.”-Henderson on his plan for the Home Run Derby.

What does it mean? Winning two of three against a team they may play in October is important. They took four of six against the Mariners and would have home-field advantage in a postseason series.

What’s the stat of the day? 15. O’Hearn’s 15-game on-base streak ended.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Triple-A Norfolk infielder/outfielder Billy Cook was placed on the injured list with a right hamstring strain.

Catcher Randy Fiorentino was transferred from Double-A Bowie to High-A Aberdeen. Right-handed pitcher Peter Van Loon was activated off the 60-day injured.

Single-A Delmarva outfielder Thomas Sosa is on the injured list with a left shoulder injury.

What’s next? The Orioles will begin a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics. Albert Suárez (4-2, 2.43) will face Hogan Harris (1-2, 3.18) on Friday night at 9:40.

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