Santander’s key hit in All-Star Game; Reviewing Orioles’ 1st-half performances; Viviano’s farewell

What happened?—Each of the five Orioles chosen for the All-Star Game played in the American League’s 5-3 win over the National League on Tuesday night.

Their biggest contributor was Anthony Santander, who wasn’t on the team until last Thursday when he was chosen as a reserve outfielder for the injured Kyle Tucker. Santander singled off Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene in the fifth inning with two outs and scored when Boston’s Jarren Duran homered to give the AL a 5-3 lead.

He popped out to right field in the eighth inning in his other at-bat.

Corbin Burnes started and pitched a scoreless first, walking Shohei Ohtani, who advanced to third on Bryce Harper’s double. He retired his former catcher, Milwaukee’s William Contreras, on a ground ball back to the mound and hugged him as he applied the tag for the final out of the inning.

Catcher Adley Rutschman hit into a force play and was called out on strikes, even though it appeared he had checked his swing. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson grounded out to NL starter Paul Skenes in the first and to first base in the third. The sharp ground ball moved up two baserunners, setting the stage for Juan Soto’s two-run single that put the AL on the board, 3-2. Henderson also made three strong defensive plays.

Jordan Westburg struck out in his only at-bat, although he wasn’t announced on the air because of a Fox segment in which David Ortiz greeted a number of All-Star participants, including Henderson.

Who are the Most Valuable Orioles? There are 66 games remaining in the regular season, and the five Orioles at the All-Star Game could get the bulk of the votes when the local media votes in September for Most Valuable Oriole.

At the moment, Henderson seems like a lock for this second consecutive MVO. The last Oriole to win MVO awards in two straight years was Adam Jones in 2011-2012.

Last weekend, manager Brandon Hyde was asked about the Most Valuable Player award and whether he thought that Henderson and the Yankees’ Aaron Judge were the top two candidates.

Hyde correctly responded that there’s much baseball to be played. That’s the same for the Most Valuable Oriole.

Rutschman, who won the award in his rookie season in 2022, could get more consideration later in the season.

No pitcher has been the Most Valuable Oriole since Rodrigo Lopez in 2002, but Burnes should get some votes.

If there were a ballot for a first half Most Valuable Oriole, I’d vote for Henderson, Rutschman and Burnes.

Westburg’s solid season should get him some support, and Santander who won the award in the 60-game season in 2020, could be an attractive choice if his power numbers remain strong.

Who’s an overlooked Oriole? My candidate is right-handed relief pitcher Jacob Webb, whose 46 appearances lead the club and are tied for third most in the American League.

Webb walks too many batters, 4.5 in nine innings, but his other stats are terrific. He’s allowed 5.5 hits per nine innings, just two home runs in 42 1/3 innings and just about a strikeout per inning. His earned-run average is 2.55.

Webb’s bullpen mate, Cionel Pérez, hopes his second half this year will be as good as his previous two. He had a 1.35 second-half ERA in 2022 and a 2.35 ERA last year.

Pérez hasn’t allowed a home run since May 31^st, 2023 when he allowed his only two of the season. He didn’t allow a home run in the second half of 2022 or 2023.

Who’s the most disappointing Oriole? While centerfielder Cedric Mullins has had some big hits for the Orioles this season, including Sunday’s ninth-inning double that capped a wild comeback win, they’ve been far too infrequent.

Mullins is hitting just .214 with a .629 OPS. He had an awful May, hitting just .136 (9-for-66). He bounced back nicely in June, hitting .286 with an .849 O His July hasn’t been good, with a .188 average and .462 OPS.

Mullins and his longtime running mate, Austin Hays, are both often pinch-hit for these days. He’s struck out more than four times as often as he’s walked (65 to 14) and has only one outfield assist.

Why will Viviano be missed? A few weeks ago, longtime local sportscaster Mark Viviano surprisingly decided to retire. His last scheduled broadcast for WJZ is Thursday.

Viviano, who’s been in broadcasting for 40 years, has two young sons and will spend his time coaching them in sports and working on projects important to him.

I’ve known Mark for many years, and he’s one of the best people I know. He’s been a terrific broadcaster, both on the local level at WBAL and WJZ, and nationally at CNN.

Viviano was on top of the news of the Cleveland Browns moving to Baltimore in 1995, and his regular live shots before Orioles night games were must-watch TV for local viewers.

At one time, Viviano did some sideline reporting on Orioles games, and he was good at that, too.

After his live shots, he’d come to the press box, watch several innings and leave by 8:45 p.m. to drive back to Television Hill and prepare for his nightly sports spot.

Everyone likes him and he seems to like everyone, but several years ago, a few of us chuckled as Mark used the former Twitter to share some acerbic thoughts on sports. He no longer does that, but his musings were entertaining if a bit out of character.

Now, it’s time for the next phase of his life, and I’ll miss him professionally and personally.

What’s next? The Orioles have two more days off before beginning a three-game series with the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park on Friday night. They’ll have an optional workout on Thursday night.

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