NEW YORK- What happened? After a difficult day when he learned that still another Oriole starter, Zach Eflin, was headed to the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, manager Brandon Hyde watched the Orioles get a six-run lead, and nearly lose it.
Dean Kremer allowed just one run on two hits in six innings as the Orioles beat the New York Mets, 9-5.
Anthony Santander and James McCann had two-run homers, Colton Cowser had a triple and double and two runs scored.
“Stressful day and a little bit of a stressful evening,” Hyde said. “With Eff going on the IL, that hurts and we’re hoping that he’s gonna get back right away after the IL stint’s over.
“We had one bad inning out of the ‘pen today but, hopefully, that can improve. It’s gonna take all of us. It’s gonna take a team effort every single night. I was happy with how our guys were really locked in tonight.”
After getting just 14 hits in the previous three games, Hyde was pleased with nine runs and 11 hits.
“Well, we needed them,” he said. “Got a couple big homers early. That was enormous for us to get a couple runs in the top of the ninth. I thought our at-bats were good and it was a nice night offensively.”
The New York Yankees lost to Cleveland, 9-5, in 12 innings, and they trail the Orioles by 1/2 game in the American League East.
How did Kremer throw? Kremer’s strong game was his second in a row, He walked three and struck out seven, throwing 100 pitches.
“That was enormous,” Hyde said. “He threw the ball so well. Totally in command. The split was good again, he’s got a good fastball, two-seamer, cutter. Dumped some curveballs in. I just thought he did a great job of mixing and pitched extremely well.”
Kremer’s strong starts are going to be necessary with so many starters unavailable.
“I was competitive with my sinker and splitter today, and that kind of got me through and then McCann back there, both of us kind of were [in a] similar headspace,” Kremer said.
McCann thought his starter was strong, too.
“Dean threw the ball extremely well, especially getting through six for us,” he said. “[Monday] had a long day and guys out of the ‘pen have been pitching a lot so him being able to cover six innings and kind of give them a little bit of a break was nice.”
How will the Orioles overcome their latest injury? Eflin had been excellent, winning his first four starts with the team.
“We all have that next-up mentality and whatever happened yesterday doesn’t really matter and we move forward from there,” Kremer said. “It’s not easy. It’s hard to replace the guys that we have but somebody’s got to do it. The world keeps spinning. So, just every guy who comes up here knows that they have a job to do and try to do the best they can.”
Kremer has been able to avoid feeling added pressure.
“I’m just trying to put in good start after good start, whether it goes my way or not. It’s the goal,” he said.
How did McCann like his return to New York? McCann was traded by the Mets to the Orioles in December 2022, and this was his first game back at Citi Field, where he spent 2021 and 2022.
In 2022, injuries cost McCann much of the season, and he played just 61 games. He enjoyed his return.
“I did. It was a good game. We got a victory,” he said. “It felt really good. Having a good at-bat in my first at-bat and getting a sac fly, Cowser getting in there and then the big homer. It felt really good.”
McCann did receive some boos from Mets fans, but he didn’t care.
“I try not to pay attention to the crowd whether we’re on the road or at home,” he said. “I try and focus on what I can control. That’s what I did tonight.
“You know, I’ll say I didn’t know what I was going to feel like coming back here. I have good memories here. My family loved our time here. My tenure individually didn’t go the way I anticipated or expected; things happen for a reason and I’m at peace with it.”
What was happening with the bullpen? After Kremer left the game, Cionel Pérez pitched a spotless seventh, but Burch Smith allowed four runs, one unearned, in the eighth, and Hyde brought in Yennier Cano with one out. Seranthony Dominguez had pitched in the previous two games and wasn’t going to be used.
Cano retired the last two batters in the eighth and one in the ninth before Craig Kimbrel got the last two outs.
“We were going to put Cano back out there in the ninth and piece it together,” Hyde said. “I didn’t want him to throw too many pitches, also. He’s pitched a lot for us this year. Fortunately, we got a four-run lead there and gave Craig breathing room with one out, trying to get him going, also. Try to get these guys going in the bullpen. Craig did a great job with the last two outs.”
What does it mean? Eflin’s injury will challenge the Orioles even more, and if they can manage to win the AL East despite all the starters’ injuries, it will be quite an accomplishment.
What’s the word? “Every time someone seems to step up and get it done and I don’t expect anything different this time.”-McCann on how the Orioles will compensate for Eflin’s absence.
What’s the stat of the day? 8. The Orioles have eight pitchers on the injured list. Five are starters — Eflin, Kyle Bradish, John Means, Grayson Rodriguez and Tyler Wells. Relievers Félix Bautista, Danny Coulombe and Jacob Webb are also on the injured list.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Centerfielder Daniel Johnson hit his 19th home run, and third baseman Coby Mayo had two hits in his return to Triple-A Norfolk in the Tides’ 9-5 loss to Worcester. Outfielder Jud Fabian was promoted from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk. He was hitless in three at-bats.
Centerfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. had three hits, two RBIs and two stolen bases as Bowie beat Erie, 8-7, in 10 innings.
Zach Fruit threw six hitless innings as High-A Aberdeen beat Winston-Salem, 1-0. Jared Beck and Cooper Chandler allowed three hits. The IronBirds had just two hits.
Justin Showalter (1-1) allowed four hits in 4 2/3 scoreless innings as Single-A Delmarva beat Down East, 6-0.
What’s next? The Orioles will select the contract of left-hander Cole Irvin (6-5, 4.85) to start Wednesday’s game. Sean Manaea (9-5, 3.46) will pitch for the Mets in the final game of the three-game series. Game time is 1:10 p.m.
The Orioles need to make room on both the 26-man and 40-man roster. Burch Smith could be the player cut.
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