The Orioles were desperate to break out of their hitting slump, and facing a budding Cy Young Award contender in one of baseball’s best rotations seemed like a daunting task. Baltimore entered Friday with an 8-4 record in May, but it was their pitchers keeping them afloat. The offense struggled, scoring just 3.8 runs per game and hitting a mere .220 during that stretch.
It didn’t seem like things would get any easier with the Seattle Mariners coming to town. The Mariners' rotation boasts four pitchers who could end the season as the league’s best. First up was sophomore Bryce Miller, whose 2.66 ERA led Seattle's stellar starting corps. However, by the end of his first inning, his ERA had ballooned to 3.54.
Baltimore’s bats finally woke up, erupting for five runs in the opening frame, leading to a 9-2 victory over the Mariners. This offensive outburst gave pitcher John Means his first win at Camden Yards in over three years. The win improved the Orioles to 28-14, putting them on pace for 108 wins and keeping them just a game behind the New York Yankees for first in the American League East.
Exciting Highlights:
- Gunnar Henderson made a triumphant return to the top spot in the batting order, hitting a leadoff homer, following Jordan Westburg's lead from Wednesday.
- The next four batters — Adley Rutschman, Ryan O’Hearn, Ryan Mountcastle, and Anthony Santander — all reached base and scored.
- Colton Cowser smacked a two-run double, and Westburg’s sacrifice fly drove in the fifth run, marking the Orioles' largest first-inning output of the season.
The Orioles weren't done yet. They added four more runs in the seventh, thanks to back-to-back triples from Jorge Mateo and Henderson, followed by consecutive doubles from Rutschman and Austin Hays. The nine runs scored were the second most for Baltimore over their last 22 games.
John Means pitched a solid game, allowing a run in the first and a solo homer in the fifth but was otherwise stellar over his six innings of two-run ball. He worked around six hits without walking a batter, striking out four. The bullpen kept up the momentum, with Jacob Webb, Yennier Cano, Mike Baumann, and Keegan Akin contributing three scoreless innings.
During the Orioles' rebuild, Means' starts were often the only bright spots for fans. His last win at Oriole Park was back on April 25, 2021. In the 1,118 days since, he threw a no-hitter, underwent Tommy John surgery, and faced multiple setbacks. His win on Friday was witnessed by an enthusiastic crowd of 38,882 — the third-highest attendance at Camden Yards this season.
The victory also extended the Orioles' AL-record regular-season streak of avoiding sweeps to 106 series, passing the 1903-05 New York Giants for third on MLB’s all-time list. Only the 1906-1909 Chicago Cubs (115) and the 1942-44 St. Louis Cardinals (124) have longer streaks.
Around the Horn:
- Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder inflammation) will soon come off the injured list without needing a minor league rehab assignment. Rodriguez, who went on the IL on April 30, had a 3.71 ERA and four wins in six starts before his injury. The Orioles will likely move to a six-man rotation upon his return.
- Austin Hays experienced a flare-up in his calf after being activated from the IL. Despite this, he expects to run the bases and play the field this weekend, likely pinch-hitting against left-handers and potentially starting against southpaws.
- Injured closer Félix Bautista has begun throwing as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Bautista, who started his throwing program in April, is expected to miss all of 2024 but should be ready for the start of 2025.
- Infield prospect Connor Norby returned to Triple-A Norfolk's lineup on Friday after a wrist injury, doubling in his first at-bat.
- The Orioles released Triple-A left-hander Andrew Suárez on Wednesday. Suárez, who signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, didn't make the opening day roster and posted a 5.93 ERA with the Tides.
Login