O’s Drop Wild Card Opener
The MLB Playoffs returned to Baltimore on Tuesday afternoon as the Baltimore Orioles hosted the Kansas City Royals in the Wild Card Series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Royals came away with a 1-0 win over Baltimore, taking the early lead in the best-of-three series. The Orioles must win Wednesday and Thursday to move on, if not the team will end its World Series hopes in the opening round for a second straight year.
As the score indicates the contest was a pitcher’s duel between Corbin Burnes (0-1) and Cole Ragans (1-0). Burnes gave the Orioles every chance he could to win the game, pitching 8.0 innings on 84 pitches (56 strikes) and limiting the Royals to 1 run on 5 hits with a walk and 3 strikeouts. Ragans pitched 6.0 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits with 8 strikeouts.
Kansas City scored the game’s lone run in the sixth inning by playing small ball. Maikel Garcia worked a one-out walk and then stole second base. He advanced to third on a Michael Massey groundout before scoring on a Bobby Witt Jr RBI-single.
Baltimore bats could only muster five hits (the same as Kansas City) that included doubles by Cedric Mullins (2 for 3, 2 B) and Ramon Urias (1 for 3, 2 B). Jordan Westburg (1 for 4) and Colton Cowser (1 for 4) recorded the other two hits.
The Orioles had a runner on third with two outs in the 3rd inning, runners on the corners with one out in the 5th and runners on first and second with two outs in the 8th but could not cash in on those opportunities, going 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
The Orioles are now faced with a win or go home scenario.
Next Game: WC Game 2 vs. Kansas City Royals @ 4:38 pm
Zach Eflin vs. Seth Lugo