A Disappointing End To The “First Half”
The MLB All-Star break has long been considered the halfway point of the season; a time when teams assess where they are in the standings and what the prospects are for success. The Baltimore Orioles reach that break losers of two in a row as they fell 11-1 to the Miami Marlins (44-51) on Sunday.
As it stands, the Orioles are in a conumdrum; do they sell off what they can or do they stay on “the path forward for them (sic)” that Interim Manager Tony Mansolino spoke of before today’s game. The company line seems to be that since the ’24 Detroit Tigers did it, we can as well in 2025.
Sunday Was Humiliating
Not only did the Orioles lose 11-1 on Sunday, but when combined with Saturday’s loss, the Orioles lost by a combined 17-1 tally over two games, to a team that was essentially their equal record wise. Making matters worse, former Oriole Kyle Stowers, who was part of the 2024 trade for Saturday’s starter Trevor Rogers, rubbed it in the face of the Baltimore organization by going 5 for 5 with 3 homeruns, 4 runs scored and 6 RBI. Miami scored in six of the nine innings and saw all but one of their starters record at least one hit in the game; every starter did reach base, however.
Miami starter Eury Perez (3-2) dominated the Birds over 7.0 innings, allowing just 3 hits, one a double to Ramon Laureano, while striking out 6 and hitting 1 batter to earn the win. He was on cruise control as the Orioles put a runner in scoring position just three times in the game.
Bad Baserunning, Again
The Orioles had their difficulties on the basepaths on Sunday as Jackson Holliday was thrown out at third in the first inning, Gunnar Henderson was caught stealing second in the first and Laureano was caught stealing third in the second.
The Bats Were MIA
Laureano had 2 hits in the game, including an inconsequential 8th inning homerun, Cedric Mullins had 2 hits and Holliday, one. Ramon Urias struck out three times and Alex Jackson did so twice.
Young Struggles
Baltimore starter Brandon Young (0-4) took the loss after allowing 7 runs on 9 hits, including 4 homeruns, and striking out 4 over 4.1 innings.
Yennier Cano did the team no favors, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits with a walk and a strikeout in the eighth inning.
Baltimore currently sits 7.5 games out of the Wild Card race; management needs to take a hard look in the mirror and admit the the season has gotten away form this team and stop stringing the fan base on with false hope.
2025 Record: 43-52
Next Game: Fri. 7/18 @ 7:35 pm vs. Rays in Tampa Bay