BALTIMORE—The Orioles continued to flounder offensively and not even the addition of Anthony Santander to the American League All-Star team could brighten things.
For the first time since August 27th-29th, 2021, the Orioles were swept at home on Thursday night. The Chicago Cubs methodically beat the Orioles for the third straight game, 8-0, before 22.685 at Camden Yards.
In the three-game series, the Cubs (45-49) outscored the Orioles (57-36), 21-2, and were shut out in consecutive games for the first time since June 23-24, 2021.
They had just three hits, all doubles, against Justin Steele (2-3) in seven innings.
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Ryan Mountcastle doubled with two outs in the fourth, Jorge Mateo with two outs in the fifth and Santander with one out in the seventh.
James McCann singled against Drew Smyly with two outs in the eighth. Former Oriole Jorge López walked Santander and allowed a double to Jordan Westburg with two outs in the ninth before Austin Hays grounded out to second to end the game.
Santander’s addition gives the Orioles five All-Stars. He joins shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman, who are both starting on Tuesday night, starting pitcher Corbin Burnes and third baseman Westburg.
Albert Suárez (5-3) allowed four runs on six hits in five innings. Seiya Suzuki’s RBI double in the third was the first run, and Chicago added three runs on four consecutive hits in the fifth. Michael Busch’s two-run double and Suzuki’s RBI made it 4-0.
Dansby Swanson, who was Cole Irvin’s first batter, led off the sixth with his ninth home run to center. The Cubs added three runs in the seventh on a run-scoring triple by Suzuki, Ian Happ’s RBI double and Swanson’s RBI single.