The Orioles showed some real grit last night, turning the game around with a thrilling comeback against the Kansas City Royals. Despite a slow start, with just one hit in the first seven innings, they rallied from a three-run deficit to snatch a 4-3 victory, capped off by a clutch two-run, walk-off single by catcher James McCann.
The game, delayed by rain, began late but was worth the wait for Orioles fans. After dominating their first two games against the Angels, the Orioles hit a rough patch, getting outscored and falling behind early in their next three games. Facing a 3-0 deficit against the Royals' ace, Corbin Burnes, the Orioles needed a spark. However, they struggled against Royals left-hander Cole Ragans, who had a fantastic outing, allowing just one hit over 6 1/3 innings.
Burnes, on the other hand, wasn’t as sharp as his first start but kept the Orioles in the game. Despite giving up nine hits, the most he'd allowed in a game since 2021, Burnes limited the damage, with the Royals leaving seven runners stranded, including four in scoring position.
Down by two runs in the seventh, the Orioles finally found their groove against the Royals' bullpen. Pinch-hitter Colton Cowser started the rally with a single, followed by a double from McCann and a sacrifice fly by Gunnar Henderson to put the Orioles on the board. Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle added crucial hits to tie the game, setting the stage for McCann's game-winning hit in the ninth.
Reliever Yennier Cano shut down the Royals in the ninth, securing the win for the Orioles. This victory comes at a good time, as the Orioles head into a day off before hitting the road for a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In other news, Orioles left-handed reliever Cionel Pérez is recovering well from an oblique strain and could be back in action by mid-April.
On a different note, veteran pitcher Julio Teheran, who opted out of his minor league deal with the Orioles, signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets, bolstering their pitching staff.
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