A ‘more comfortable’ Jackson Holliday helps lead Orioles to 7-4 win over Guardians

CLEVELAND-What happened? Gunnar Henderson had three hits, Jackson Holliday had his second consecutive two-hit game, and Zach Eflin allowed two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings as the Orioles beat the Cleveland Guardians, 7-4, to stay in a first-place tie with he New York Yankees in the American League East.

In Holliday’s four games with the Orioles since his recall on Wednesday, he’s 5-for-14 and lifted his batting average to .146.

Adley Rutschman had a two-run triple that keyed a four-run eighth inning and gave the Orioles a 7-2 lead.

“This was one of our better offensive games in a long time,” manager Brandon Hyde said after the Orioles produced 15 hits.

Colton Cowser extended his hitting streak to 16 games, one away from Trey Mancini’s club rookie record set in September 2017.

Ryan Mountcastle’s ninth-inning single snapped an 0-for-15 skid.

How is Holliday doing? Holliday had double to lead off the fifth and a run-scoring single in the four-run eighth.

Holliday looks much different than he did in his first stint in April.

“Honestly, a whole lot more comfortable,” he said. “Just trusting myself and my approach and just trying to have fun. Even when I’m getting out, I feel like I’m hitting the ball hard and putting together good at-bats, which is important. Just glad to help the team win.”

Holliday says he’s seeing the ball better in his first few games.

“It translates, being in a better position to hit,” he said. “I’m starting to see the ball a little deeper and allowing myself to go the other way, which allows me to see the ball for a longer time.”

Before the game, the Orioles knew they needed to win to keep up with the Yankees.

“I think the goal is to win every game, right?” Holliday said. “No matter what’s going on on the outside. I don’t think there’s a direct focus besides, ‘Let’s just go out there and win and do what we’re supposed to do.’ I think that’s kind of the main focus that I know that I’m taking, is just going out and trying to win.”

There’s much less attention on Holliday in these games than in his first 10.

“I think definitely just having my feet under me and being able to come to the ballpark and have a normal schedule and just be able to go out there and play and have fun and kind of put everything else to the side and just enjoy being out there,” he said.

What do the Orioles think about Holliday? Hyde sees an improved Holliday, too.

“It looks like he’s a little bit more relaxed,” he said. “You see him stay on the baseball better, be able to hit the ball with power the other way … Big, big hit up the middle for us to extend the lead.”

Eflin has been impressed as well.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “The goal is to have a competitive [at-bat] every single time you go out, and he’s been doing that. He’s been getting hits . He had, I think, a two-strike, two out RBI today, so it’s been really fun to watch him, especially as a 20-year-old. That’s crazy.”

In his first start for the Orioles, Austin Slater had two hits including a key bunt single in the fifth inning that sent Holliday to third. He scored on Henderson’s single.

Slater isn’t sure if this is the best team he’s played on, but he likes what he sees in the clubhouse.

“That’s hard to say,” Slater said. “It’s definitely the most talented young team I’ve ever been around. I did play on a 107-win team in San Francisco, but it’s neck-and-neck. And I think Coby [Mayo’s] going to be great, too. You look around the clubhouse and everyone could be a star in this league, and it’s really exciting to play for.” 

How did Eflin throw? Eflin allowed three runs on 10 hits in six innings in his first start, and this one was much better. His allowed a two-run home run to Angel Martínez in the third inning.

“0-0 changeup, and he kind of just got to it. Other than that, I felt pretty good, mixing and matching,” Eflin said.

His first start on Monday came just one day after he reported to the Orioles after being traded by Tampa Bay.

“The guys have been great,” he said. “They’ve been so welcoming, but at the end of the day, it’s baseball. That never goes away regardless of where you’re at. You know how to play the game right. With that being said, definitely a lot more comfortable. I can’t speak highly enough about the guys and how great they’ve been.”

Hyde liked Eflin’s effort.

“He only made one bad pitch — the two-run homer there,” Hyde said. “Besides that, just a professional effort — sinker, cutter, gets a bunch of strikes. Our infielders are going to need to be ready, it’s a ton of ground balls. Yeah, I mean, this is exactly what we’ve seen him to do us. He’s really tough to hit.”

What’s the word?  “When they get hits, it works out great. When they pop up or punch out, not so much.”-Hyde on successfully using Rutschman and Ryan O’Hearn as pinch-hitters in the four-run eighth.

What does it mean? A more relaxed Holliday should be a more productive one, and that could be vital for the Orioles.

What’s the stat of the day? 15. The Orioles had 15 hits, their most in a win since June 20^th when they beat the Yankees, 17-5. Since June 20^th, they’ve had more than 15 hits three times, but lost each game.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Justin Armbruester (3-7) allowed six runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings as Triple-A Norfolk lost to Charlotte, 12-1. Left-hander Nick Vespi allowed six runs on four hits and three walks.

Carlos Rodriguez’s sacrifice fly scored Jalen Vasquez in the bottom of the seventh as High-A Aberdeen beat Brooklyn, 4-3, in the resumption of Friday night’s suspended game. The regularly scheduled game was rained out.

Double-A Bowie’s game with Somerset was suspended in the top of the third with the Patriots leading 1-0. The game will resume on Sunday as part of a doubleheader at 3:05 p.m.

Centerfielder Jake Cunningham had three hits as Single-A Delmarva beat Myrtle Beach, 7-6.

What’s next?  Corbin Burnes (11-4, 2.47) will face Gavin Williams (1-3, 3.72) in the final game of the four-game series at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday.

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