Kremer has 1 bad inning but it’s enough to end Orioles’ winning streak and prevent sweep of Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas–What happened? Dean Kremer allowed two walks and a three-run home run to Texas’ Jonah Heim in the fourth inning, and that was all the runs the Rangers would need in a 3-2 win over the Orioles on Sunday.

The loss ended a three-game winning streak, but the Orioles remain two games ahead in the American League East because the Yankees lost to Tampa Bay, 6-4..

The Orioles were shut down by Texas starter Andrew Heaney and the Rangers’ bullpen until Anthony Santander hit a two-run home run, his 27^th, in the eighth inning. That was all the offense could generate after scoring 17 runs in the first two games against the Rangers.

Manager Brandon Hyde was going to give Gunnar Henderson a day off, but he had to change his plan when Ramón Urías had to be scratched because of neck soreness.

“He woke up with his neck being sore, so he was unavailable for the game today,” Hyde said. “He got a lot of work on it this morning and unfortunately couldn’t go. Unfortunate I had to put Gunnar back in there. We wanted to give him a little bit of a rest day, but he played great. He played great defensively and awesome to see him get that double. Hopefully, Urías is back soon.”

What was wrong with the offense? The Orioles had 17 runs on 23 hits in the first two games of the series. Heaney (4-10) has half of his wins against the Orioles this season.

On June 30^th, he allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings in an 11-2 Texas win. He gave up just two hits — Colton Cowser’s second-inning single, and Henderson’s fifth-inning double in five scoreless innings.

“I thought we did the same thing off Heaney last time. Not much,” Hyde said. “We drove a couple balls there early in the game. He’s got kind of a unique arm slot. Really throws ball in to righties, and we just didn’t do a whole lot offensively. Can’t really put my finger on it except we just didn’t swing the bat very well today.”

How did Kremer throw? Kremer gave up three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked Wyatt Langford with one out in the fourth and Nathaniel Lowe with two outs before Heim hit his ninth home run.

It was Kremer’s fourth start since returning from six weeks on the injured list because of a strained right triceps muscle.

“Stuff has been pretty solid since I came back off the IL,” Kremer said. “I like where everything’s at and the mix we kind of have going. Yeah, just lost it a little bit command-wise. The walks ended up hurting me.:”

Hyde didn’t have much to complain about with Kremer.

“I thought Dean was good,” he said. “Two out walk to Lowe hurt before the homer. I thought he had good stuff and just made kind of a bad pitch to Heim.”

Kremer has allowed 14 home runs in 13 starts.

“Keep the ball in the yard, for one. Limit the walks and execute as many pitches as possible.,” he said.

The Orioles started the second half of the season with two wins in three games before sputtering on offense the way they did before the All-Star break.

How do you coach in a slump? Orioles co-hitting coach Matt Borgschulte said that his advice during the Orioles’ five-game losing streak, during which they scored just four runs, didn’t change.

“I think our goal is always the same,” Borgschulte said. “To hit the ball hard, to hit the ball on the line, make consistent contact. Certain messaging for certain guys on what they’re working on can change from player to player, but the overall message of what we’re trying to do offensively, which the bottom line is scoring runs.

“There’s a bunch of ways to do that. Finding out the best way to do that for that day. That’s the goal.”

What was special about O’Hearn? Ryan O’Hearn became the first American League player to have two walks, two hit-by-pitches and a home run in a game on Saturday night.

O’Hearn was hit in the kneecap in the seventh inning, stayed in the game, and homered in the ninth.

“I wanted to stay in the game. I had a lot of family here. I don’t play here very often,” O’Hearn said. “I had probably 15 in the stands, so I wanted to stay in the game, and I’m glad I did.”

How is Kjerstad feeling? Heston Kjerstad was activated from the 7-day concussion list on Saturday. He was hit on the helmet on July 12^th by New York’s Clay Holmes.

“It took a couple of days, probably three or four days, until I felt back to normal,” Kjerstad said. “I’ve probably been feeling good for the past three days.

“Anytime you take a pitch to the head, it can be pretty bad. Thankfully, it could have been a lot worse. Getting out of that one with a mild concussion is the best-case scenario.”

After Kjerstad was hit, a benches-clearing melee ensued, but that wasn’t on his mind.

“At the moment, I was concentrating on my health and safety and well being,” he said. “I wasn’t really too worried about what was going on on the field. It’s part of the game.”

What’s the word?  “It’s a chance for guys to take a little breath, realize how much success we’ve had in the first half and the recent struggles are a thing of the past.”-Borgschulte on the Orioles’ hitters scoring 17 runs in the first two games after the break. 

What does it mean? The Orioles won two of three, but failed to sweep, and head into Miami with a two-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. If they can win two of three against the Marlins for another winning road trip, that would be a success.

What’s the stat of the day? 18. Santander has hit 18 home runs since June 1^st and trails Henderson by one for most on the team.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Carlos Tavera (2-3) allowed three runs, two unearned, in two innings as Triple-A Norfolk lost the first game of a doubleheader to Nashville, 3-2.

First baseman Billy Cook homered twice and drove in five runs to lead the Tides to a 9-1 win in the second game. Designated hitter Jackson Holliday drove in two runs.

Trace Bright (0-10) allowed five runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings in Double-A Bowie’s 7-1 loss to Hartford. Rightfielder Jud Fabian hit his 14^th home run.

Moises Chace and Graham Firoved (0-6) allowed four runs in the ninth in High-A Aberdeen’s 5-3 loss to Wilmington.

Right-handed pitcher Nick Avila, whom the Orioles claimed off waivers on June 17^th from San Francisco, began a rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen. Avila has been out with a right shoulder impingement. Avila pitched a scoreless inning. Infielder Maxwell Costes was reinstated from the injured list. He homered for the IronBirds.

Nestor German, Juan Rojas and Hayden Nierman combined on a three-hitter as Single-A Delmarva beat Down East 2-0. Third baseman Maikol Hernández homered

What’s next? The Orioles are off on Monday and begin a three-game series in Miami on Tuesday night. Albert Suárez (5-3, 2.82) will start for the Orioles at 6:40 p.m. The Marlins haven’t named their starter.

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