Orioles’ offense comes alive with 5 home runs in 7-1 win over Tigers as magic number falls to 3
BALTIMORE- What happened? Camden Yards felt alive, the way it hadn’t felt in several weeks, and the Orioles hit a season-high five home runs and reduced their magic number to clinch a postseason spot to three.
Corbin Burnes pitched his second scoreless start against the Detroit Tigers in six days in the Orioles’ 7-1 win on Friday night.
Colton Cowser and James McCann each homered twice, and Anthony Santander added his 43rd home run. Santander is tied with Rafael Palmeiro for seventh most home runs in Orioles history.
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Burnes, who allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings last Saturday, gave up only three hits in seven more scoreless innings.
“We kept tacking on, and Burnes threw a heck of a game, so it was really good to see,” McCann said. “Hopefully, it’s a momentum thing that we keep on riding out through the end of the season.”
Cedric Mullins, who collided with Austin Slater in the outfield on Thursday, was unavailable with neck discomfort.
How about that offense? The Orioles hit four home runs eight times this season, but none since July 19th. Their seven runs were their most since September 3rd, and Cowser and McCann were the first Orioles to hit two home runs in a game since Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins did on June 19th, 2021 against Toronto.
“We haven’t had homers in bunches in a while, we did in the first half,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Nice to get a little separation, we’ve been struggling with getting, and Cows swung the bat great. It was a fun night for us offensively.”
The Orioles are nearing a postseason berth. If they beat Detroit Saturday and Sunday, they’ll guarantee October baseball for the second straight time.
“I’m not going to react over — we got eight games left,” Hyde said. “So, two really good wins and hopefully it builds confidence in some guys.”
How good has Burnes been? Until last Saturday, Burnes had not thrown a scoreless start. Now, he’s thrown two in a row. He allowed three hits, struck out eight and walked three, and he’s pitching better than he has all year.
“Just as far as going out and executing pitches, yeah,” Burnes said. “Stuff-wise, I think we’ve had good stuff all year. Just haven’t been able to command it where we wanted to. So now, we’ve had good stuff and we’re commanding it, so it’s always a plus.”
Since August 11th, the Tigers are 26-11, and a surprising challenger for the postseason.
“No doubt, the team’s playing great going in. He just faced them five, six days ago and looked like he did in Detroit,” Hyde said. “He had outstanding stuff; know the walks were annoying for him. His stuff was great, his command, the cutter was really, really good tonight. I thought him and Mac did a great job today. Just seven beautiful innings.”
While the offense has been tepid for most of this month, the starting rotation have kept the Orioles aloft.
“it’s huge, especially the way things have been going, the fact that they’ve kept us in so many games,” McCann said. “Especially what Burnes did tonight, bringing us back-to-back starts, seeing the same lineup with the exception of a couple of guys. For him to continue dominating like that, that was really good to see and really awesome.”
How did Coulombe throw? Danny Coulombe, who had surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow three months ago, returned and threw a scoreless eighth, allowing two hits and striking out two.
Coulombe, who had three scoreless outings in a rehab stint for Triple-A Norfolk, acknowledged some rustiness.
“Oh, absolutely. We’re still building up in the big leagues,” Coulombe said. “The hope is just to get back and be my full strength by the postseason.”
Hyde is delighted to have another key bullpen piece back.
“It was awesome seeing him out there,” he said. “Great for the fan reaction too. I know the guys in the dugout appreciated that. What he’s done here for the last two years and how much we’ve missed him this second half, for people to recognize that, put some highlights on the scoreboard, I thought that was a classy touch for somebody who’s done a lot here in the last two years.
“First time out, I know that nerves were — the adrenaline was high. So, his stuff looked great. I think he wished he threw less pitches, but fortunately we put a zero up there that inning.”
Coulombe thought that Thursday’s exciting win on Santander’s ninth-inning, game-winning homer was vital
“I think yesterday was a huge game for us, Tony’s walk-off,” Coulombe said. “I think that really just kind of set things in motion and we just came out with a lot of fire today, and you could see guys were ignited. That’s the goal going into the postseason. It doesn’t matter how you’re playing in August as long as you get there, and you just want to get hot.”
What does it mean? It was a complete performance by the Orioles, and they’ve been rare recently.
What’s the word? “It’s the first time in my career I’ve had anything like that. That was pretty cool. So thank you, Baltimore.”-Coulombe on the ovation he received when he entered the game.
What’s the stat of the day? 43. Santander is tied with Mark Teixeira for fifth-most home runs by a switch-hitter in a season. Only Mickey Mantle, Lance Berkman and Chipper Jones had more.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Designated hitter Ramón Urías hit a two-run home run and drove in all three runs for Triple-A Norfolk in its 5-3 loss to Nashville.
Jordan Westburg had two hits, including a double and scored two runs.
Urías (sprained right ankle) and Westburg (broken right hand) were playing in their second rehab games.
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, playing his first rehab game, was hitless in four at-bats, striking out twice. Mountcastle has been on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left wrist.
Brandon Young (5-4), who was named the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year, allowed three runs on six hits in five innings.
Coby Mayo, who started at first base for the Orioles was named the organization’s minor league player of the year. It’s been a difficult adjustment for Mayo from Norfolk to the majors.
“Every level you go up, no matter if it’s going from Low-A to High-A, High-A to Double-A, it’s a little different,” Mayo said. “Obviously, coming up to the big leagues, it’s a bigger jump because it’s the highest level you can go. There’s no higher level than this. Catchers are really good at what pitches to call and pitchers are really good at executing their pitches.
“It’s a little bit added pressure. Winning is a must here in the big leagues, and you’re trying to find a way to help the team out whatever [way] you can.”
The three top draft choices in July’s draft — outfielder Vance Honeycutt, shortstop Griff O’Ferrall and catcher Ethan Anderson — took batting practice on the field before the game.
Each began their pro careers with Single-A Delmarva and concluded the season at High-A Aberdeen.
“The biggest thing is just the speed of the game and the pitching,” Honeycutt said. “Understanding yourself and the changes you have to make.”
O’Ferrall and Anderson were roommates at the University of Virginia and being together for a fourth year has been helpful. O’Ferrall grew up in Richmond.
“Came to a couple of these games when I was younger,” O’Ferrall said. “I always wondered what it would feel like to hit on a field like this. It’s really cool.”
Besides catching, Anderson has played first base and left field with the Shorebirds and IronBirds.
“That’s what I take pride in, is being athletic, playing as many positions as I can,” he said. “At a young age, I wanted to catch. I wanted the most difficult position.”
What’s next? Cade Povich (2-9, 5.74) will face Reese Olson (4-8, 3.50) on Saturday at 4:05 p.m.
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