Orioles reach new low with just 1 hit in 1-0 loss to Tigers

DETROIT–What happened? The Orioles didn’t have a baserunner until the eighth inning or a hit until Gunnar Henderson tripled with two outs in the ninth.

Henderson’s triple saved the Orioles from being no-hit for the eighth time in their history as they lost, 1-0, to the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

Beau Brieske, Brant Hurter and Brenan Hanifee pitched eight no-hit innings. Tyler Holton retired Emmanuel Rivera on a fly to right and struck out Coby Mayo before allowing Henderson’s triple on the first pitch of the at-bat. Anthony Santander struck out to end the game.

Adley Rutschman walked to lead off the eighth against Hurter, ending the Tigers’ bid for a perfect game.

It was the first time the Orioles were one-hit since August 30^th, 2022 at Cleveland.

Combined with the New York Yankees’ 5-4  win over the Boston Red Sox, the Orioles fell three games behind the Yankees in the American League East with 14 games to play.

Zach Eflin allowed Kerry Carpenter’s home run with one out in the first inning. He allowed the one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings.

How bad was the Orioles’ offense? The only Oriole who came close to a hit before Henderson’s two-out triple down the right-field line in the ninth was Cedric Mullins, who grounded to first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who flipped the ball to Hurter with two outs in the fourth.

“Well, it’s one game and we’ve got to come back tomorrow,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “You know we’ve just got to try to win every game. It’s not from a lack of effort. We just didn’t get any hits tonight, except for Gunnar there with two outs in the ninth. So, we’ve got to take some better at-bats and, you know, hopefully our guys will rebound. Have to come out tomorrow and compete.”

The Orioles struck out 13 times. Colton Cowser struck out in all three at-bats. Henderson flied to center and grounded to second twice before the triple.

“It’s a credit to their pitchers,” Henderson said. “They came out and threw the ball really well. Didn’t seem to miss too much over the heart of the zone. They were attacking early and getting ahead, so, credit to them. But, yeah, felt like we’ve got some room to improve, obviously, but [we’ll] get out there and just play hard tomorrow.”

It was a one-run game and Henderson was the tying run, but it was a humbling night.

“Our pitchers threw the ball really well,” Henderson said. “It was a one-run ball game, and if anybody got on base, there’s always a chance. Somebody [could] run into one and hit a two-run homer or even a solo shot. We knew we were in the game and just trying to help the team win. We got the knock, and obviously didn’t come through.”

Hyde has watched his hitters falter this month with no easy solutions.

“We’ve had a tough second half offensively,” Hyde said. “We’ve had some guys that have really struggled for the first time in their careers. We’re young. There’s a lot of things. But we’ve got to do the best right now with what we’ve got with our roster. We’ve got to come out tomorrow and compete and try to win a game.”

How was the Orioles’ mood? It had to be a deflating night to be on the Orioles’ bench.

“You just have to try and stay loose, you don’t want to sit there and press,” Henderson said. “I mean, we know what’s going on, they know what’s going on, so just go out there and continue with the same approach; you don’t want to go out there and try to do more to end it. So, just go out there and continue to have fun, it’s hard to do at times, but I feel like that’s the way to go about it.”

The Orioles’ three-game deficit is their most since June 14^th.

“I mean we know what’s at stake, but at the same time you can’t sit there and beat yourself up over it, it’s not going to help you at all,” Henderson said. “So, it’s just something we’re all learning, at least me I’m learning how to go through, a lot of the young guys have never been through this as well so we’re learning how to go through it. Feel like we’ll be more battle-tested.”

The Orioles clinched a playoff berth with two weeks to go in the season a year ago, but that’s not going to happen this year.

“I feel like it’s good to be battle-tested because last year we didn’t really get that not being swept the whole year,” Henderson said. “This year we have to play a little more gritty and just a little more together. Obviously not how you want to be right now, but I feel like like all it takes is one little spark and we’ll get hot again.”

Hyde remains positive.

“I’ve seen flashes of us offensively,” Hyde said. “There’s a lot of talent in that room, there’s a lot of guys that have put up good big league numbers and put up good minor league numbers. We have the ability to make some adjustments, we just have to collectively do it together.”

How difficult was it for Eflin to pitch? The Orioles didn’t get a hit while Eflin was in the game, but he wasn’t focused on the team being no-hit.

“I’m in the zone,” Eflin said. “I’m in my own zone, trying to go out and put up zeroes. Baseball’s going to baseball, and the beautiful thing about 162 games is the odds are you’re going to have another one the next day. Sun’s going to come up tomorrow, and we’re going to be prepared for it.”

Eflin believes the team’s mentality is strong.

“You know, I think the team does a really good job of not really worrying about how we’re playing more so preparing for each and every game.,” he said.

“Showing up the next day playing hard, playing with energy. I think that’s what this team does really, really well. I’ve only been here probably over a month or so. There’s a lot of fire in these guys, and it’s a lot of fun being part of it, and so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

What does it mean? This was the Orioles’ offense worst night of the season. They hope they’ll begin to hit more consistently, but this was a bad beginning with five more games against the Tigers in the next nine days.

What’s the word? “I felt like we battled, but it just wasn’t our night.”-Henderson on the Orioles’ offense.

What’s the stat of the day? 1-0. The Orioles hadn’t lost 1-0 for exactly a year, when they lost, 1-0, to Boston.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Designated hitter Samuel Basallo had three hits and drove in two runs in Triple-A Norfolk’s 3-2 win over Durham in 10 innings.

Brandon Young allowed three hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

Double-A Bowie lost to Erie, 5-1.

What’s next? Corbin Burnes (13-8, 3.18) will start for the Orioles on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. The Tigers have yet to name their starter.

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