O’s Hold Off The A’s
The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Athletics (51-67) by a score of 3-2 at Camden Yards on Friday night. Knowing that fireworks were scheduled post-game, the Orioles open the game with some fireworks. Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle went back-to-back with homeruns in the first inning. A two out walk by Gunnar Henderson started the rally and Rutschman and Mountcastle did the rest.
The Lack Of Offense Is Concerning
Henderson recorded the Orioles’ third and last hit in the third inning. The ball ricocheted of the glove of A’s starter JT Ginn and catcher Shea Langeliers was unable to get the out in time. Eleven Orioles in a row were then retired between the third and seventh innings; walks both preceded and ended that streak. Collectively, Baltimore struck out 10 times in the game; they managed just the 3 walks, however. A feast or famine offense is not a good formula for winning games in the major leagues.
A Quality Start By Sugano
Starter Tomoyuki Sugano (9-5) gave the Orioles 7.0 quality innings to earn the win. Using 91 pitches (56 K’s) to navigate the A’s lineup, Sugano allowed a run on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4; only one of those 5 hits went for extra bases. Luis Urias did give a Sugano pitch a ride to the left field wall in the seventh.
A Mixed Performance By The ‘Pen
Yennier Cano came on in the eighth inning and allowed a run on 2 hits. Relief appearances by the righty are certainly like a box of chocolates in that you just don’t know what you’re going to get.
Keegan Akin, called upon to close out the game in the ninth, faced three batters to record his second save of the ’25 season. Akin struck out 1 and made a nifty behind the back-backhand play on a Gio Urshela comebacker for the second out; a play that even surprised Akin himself. Urias once again gave the crowd of 20,796 a gasp as he hit a ball deep to left field to end the game.
The game was played in a brisk 2 hours and 8 minutes but the innings go quickly when you don’t hit.
2025 Record: 53-63
Next Game: Sat. 8/9 @ 7:05 pm vs. Athletics