Burnes is brilliant but Orioles can’t deliver on offense in 1-0 loss to Royals in Game 1 of Wild Card Series
BALTIMORE—The Orioles got ace pitcher Corbin Burnes in the offseason to pitch in big games, and he delivered an exceptional performance on Tuesday. However, the Orioles didn’t do anything against Cole Ragans and three Kansas City Royals relievers, losing 1-0 in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series before 41,506 at Camden Yards.
The Orioles have lost nine straight postseason games since 2014. They’ll try to keep their season alive in the best-of-three series on Wednesday. Zach Eflin will start for the Orioles in Game 2 against Seth Lugo.
Burnes, who was voted the American League Pitcher of the Month for September, departed in the top of the ninth after Maikel Garcia, who scored the game’s only run, singled. Burnes allowed a run on five hits, walked one and struck out three.
Ragans pitched six innings and left with left calf cramps after he allowed just four hits while striking out eight without a walk.
The Orioles had five hits, left seven on base and were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Cedric Mullins led off the third with a long double to right, but stayed there after James McCann struck out, Gunnar Henderson grounded to first and Jordan Westburg flew out to deep left.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Orioles had an excellent opportunity against Ragans when Kansas City leftfielder MJ Melendez misplayed Ramón Urías’ fly for a double. Mullins singled to center but Urías’ had to make sure the ball dropped in and was held at third. With runners on first and third, McCann and Henderson struck out.
Burnes allowed just two hits through five innings and threw just 51 pitches.
Michael Massey led off the first with a single, and Burnes retired the next 12 batters until Yuli Gurriel singled to start the fifth. Melendez lined to Ryan Mountcastle at first, who doubled up Melendez.
Garica, the No. 9 hitter with 37 steals on the season, walked with one out in the sixth. He immediately stole second and moved to third on Massey’s grounder. Burnes threw a rare pitch in the middle of the plate, and Bobby Witt singled between short and third to score Garcia.
Sam Long retired the Orioles in order in the seventh. Kris Bubic got two quick outs in the eighth before Henderson walked and Jordan Westburg singled to center. Royals manager Matt Quatraro called for his closer, Lucas Erceg, who retired Santander on a grounder to Witt at shortstop.
Ryan O’Hearn, pinch-hitting Mountcastle, walked to begin the ninth. Adley Rutschman was called out on a strike that appeared to be low. Colton Cowser popped to center. Heston Kjerstad, batting for Urías, struck out to end the game.