Suárez keeps proving his value in big games for the Orioles

BALTIMORE- What happened? Though he’s 34 years old. Albert Suárez has started only 29 games in his major league career. Suárez returned to the majors this year after time in Japan and South Korea and has been a wonderful surprise for the Orioles.

On Sunday, he threw six scoreless innings, throwing 99 pitches, the most he’s thrown with the Orioles, and despite the bullpen giving up two runs, they held on for a 4-2 win over the Boston Res Sox, splitting their four-game series.

Suárez struck out six and walked none, and threw his eighth scoreless start of the season.

“Every time I’m out there and being able to help the team, I give everything I’ve got,” he said. “To me, it’s a positive thing. And getting positive results is even better.”

The Orioles won despite getting just three hits, their fewest in a win since April 23^rd, 2023.

Adley Rutschman hit his 18^th home run, his first since July 19^th, and Gunnar Henderson hit his 33^rd, his fourth in the last five games.

What did Suárez think of his performance? Suárez’s win comes a week after manager Brandon Hyde removed him after throwing a career-high 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Tampa Bay. He left with a 1-0 lead, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead and the Orioles lost, 2-1.

Fortunately, the Orioles scored four runs instead of one, and the two runs the bullpen allowed didn’t cost him.

The final six weeks of the Orioles season will be critical, and with so many starting pitchers injured, Suárez has been invaluable. At 34, he has a calming presence.

“I don’t see it as big games,” Suárez said. “I think every game is a big game, and obviously if the team wins, you feel good about it.”

What did the Orioles think of his performance? Rutschman enjoys working with Suárez.

“It seems like he just comes out with a convicted plan every single time,” he said. “I think that he trusts that his stuff is good and everyone else around him believes it and he does, and he’s doing great.”

Suárez is throwing a harder fastball, and the results are there

“I think he continues to get a better and better feel for it,” Rutschman said. “Really able to kind of point it. When he’s locating his fastball, it’s really tough to hit and then you’ve got to cover three other pitches besides that. That makes it really tough.”

Rutschman sees the savvy of a veteran even if he has far fewer starts than 24-year-old Grayson Rodriguez.

“I think it’s the way he goes about his business,” Rutschman said. “The way he talks about his plan. You can tell there’s a confidence there and a conviction.”

Hyde knew he had an unusual weapon in spring training and spotted Suárez’s talent early.

“He doesn’t get too amped up or too antsy out there,” Hyde said. “I think he just is super relaxed throughout his outing. He’s able to slow the game down.

“Even with a pitch clock, able to slow the game down. That’s why he actually got called on one today, because he does use his time between pitches to just kind of reset. And he’s really professional and mature and he just really goes onto the next pitch really, really well because he’s got a lot of years of experience here and overseas.”

Serathony Dominguez, who allowed Rob Refsnyder’s home run in the ninth and recorded his fourth save, third with the Orioles, enjoys watching Suárez.

“He’s pretty good. He’s a big guy and the way that he pitches so small to the mound surprised me,” he said.

Is Dominguez the closer? With Craig Kimbrel struggling, Hyde is using Dominguez, who was acquired from Philadelphia on July 26^th. He’s allowed two runs, both home runs, on five hits in 10 1/3 innings since joining the Orioles.

Hyde used Cionel Pérez, Yennier Cano and Dominguez for the final three innings. Pérez allowed a run in the seventh. Though he hasn’t anointed Dominguez as his closer, it’s apparent that he’s Hyde’s ninth-inning choice, and he got a four-out save, rescuing the Orioles from a bases-loaded jam in the eighth.

“I went with Domínguez there,” Hyde said. “He got out of that inning in the eighth inning, and we were going to live and die with Domínguez. Now, those guys can’t pitch every single night.

“We have eight guys in our ‘pen, those three guys have pitched the majority of the time when we have the lead. We have to have these other four or five guys be able to impact us positively, also, out of the bullpen. It’s really, really important. We’re not going to be able to pitch these three guys every single night.”

Dominguez has saved 31 games in his six-year career.

“The ninth inning is where everyone wants to be,” he said. “It’s a big inning, especially for the team, because if you do your job the game is over you know? Every time I get an opportunity I just think about getting people out.”

Can the coaches help Kimbrel and Soto? Pitching strategy coach Ryan Klimek says the pitching coaches are working hard at trying to help struggling relievers Kimbrel and Gregory Soto.

“We’re doing everything, looking at the usages of those guys, whether it’s pitch type or location,” Klimek said. “Trying to tinker with some of that type of stuff, but a lot of it, too, is mentally getting them to a point where they’re confident again.

“You might be able to turn some dials in terms of the usage of certain things. We just want them to get comfortable again. Craig had such a good first half. Relievers are oftentimes very volatile in performance. We’re hoping it’s just a bump in the road and we’re going to see both these guys thriving really soon.”

What does it mean? Since June 20^th when they won two of three at Yankee Stadium, the Orioles are 24-27. With 37 games to play, if they play slightly above .500, 19-18, they’ll still win 92 games, which should ensure a playoff spot.

What’s the word? “Every time I get the opportunity to get in the game I just think about getting that guy out. Get some people out, that’s my job.”-Dominguez on his closing opportunity.

What’s the stat of the day? 8. Suárez’s eight scoreless starts are eight more than Corbin Burnes, who shockingly has none.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Shortstop Terrin Vavra hit his seventh home and third baseman J.D. Davis had three hits in Triple-A Norfolk’s 8-7 win over Gwinnett. Brandon Young (4-3) allowed one run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out six and walking one.

Third baseman Carter Young had three hits in High-A Aberdeen’s 6-3 win over Greenville.

What’s next? The Orioles will open a three-game series at the New York Mets on Monday night. Trevor Rogers (2-11, 4.89) will face David Peterson (7-1, 3.04). Game time is 7:10.

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