An Unexpected Roar from Sugano
If you tuned into Thursday night’s Orioles-Mets doubleheader expecting more of the same from Tomoyuki Sugano — the version that’s been roughed up repeatedly over the last month and a half — you weren’t alone. The game began with a thud: a brutal two-run first inning where the Mets' bats had little trouble connecting, sending rockets all over Camden Yards. It felt like just another rough chapter for Sugano, whose ERA had ballooned to 6.13 over his last nine starts. But then… something clicked.
By the time the sixth inning ended, Sugano had the fans on their feet. He jogged off the mound with the kind of poise you expect from a pitcher who's been here before — because he has. That rocky opening inning gave way to a display of pure craft, finesse, and veteran resilience. Those same Mets hitters who had feasted early? They were suddenly rolling over pitches into the dirt or lofting lazy flies into the outfield. Sugano was dialed in.
A Comeback Outing to Remember
By the numbers, Sugano’s line was classic: six innings, just two strikeouts, but 12 of his 18 outs came via grounders and fly balls. That’s vintage Sugano — minimal flash, maximum control. Even when he faced danger, like in the fifth inning with two on and Pete Alonso stepping up to the plate, he got the groundout he needed to strand the runners. His ability to generate weak contact has made him a valuable if unpredictable piece in Baltimore’s rotation.
Let’s not forget — Sugano came over from Japan with big expectations. He hasn’t missed a ton of bats this season (just 57 strikeouts in over 93 innings), but with only 19 walks, his command has been solid. His hard-hit rate is among the lowest not only in the Orioles’ clubhouse but across the AL.
Orioles’ Bats Back Their Starter Big Time
But Sugano didn’t carry the weight alone. Baltimore's offense erupted once again — a welcome trend in this recent stretch. After falling behind in the top of the first, the O’s stormed back in the second inning. Alex Jackson ripped an RBI double and Jordan Westburg went yard for the 10th time this season, giving Baltimore a 3-2 lead. And they weren’t done.
The Orioles tacked on more in the fifth and sixth innings, pushing the lead to 7-3. It wasn’t just the offense coming through — the bullpen held strong. With only Grant Wolfram and Félix Bautista working Game 1, the relievers were rested and ready. Andrew Kittredge, Gregory Soto, and Seranthony Domínguez shut the door over the final three innings, securing Baltimore’s first doubleheader sweep since 2016.
The Bigger Picture: Front Office Moves and a New Direction?
The sweep might have been the day’s most satisfying moment, but it wasn’t the only headline coming out of Camden Yards.
Earlier Thursday, the Orioles traded reliever Bryan Baker to the Tampa Bay Rays for the No. 37 overall pick in this Sunday’s draft. That’s a big chip. Executive VP and GM Mike Elias didn’t hide behind generic front office speak either — he was pretty clear about the vibe inside the organization right now.
“This isn’t a teardown,” Elias told reporters. He admitted that the front office is exploring trades that could prioritize future seasons, but he also emphasized the O’s aren’t giving up on 2025 just yet.
If anything, Thursday’s pair of wins offered compelling evidence that this team still has some fight left. Even with Zach Eflin on the IL and a rotation that’s struggled to stay consistent all year, they’re only six games back of a Wild Card spot. That’s not nothing.
Instant Takeaways:
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Sugano’s redemption: From shaky to surgical, he flipped the narrative in one night.
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Offense clicking: Seven runs in Game 2. Three in Game 1. Everyone’s contributing.
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Trade buzz: Bryan Baker gone. Draft pick coming. Elias sends a mixed but hopeful message.
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Standings watch: Orioles may be under .500, but they’ve won 26 of their last 42 — that’s a .619 win percentage over that stretch.
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Playoff dreams alive? If Baltimore continues playing like this, 85 wins is within reach.
What the Sweep Means Moving Forward
These back-to-back wins marked Baltimore’s second straight series victory and their third in the last four. It’s also the first time they’ve been eight games below .500 since early May — not exactly a position of strength, but certainly progress given how the midseason lull unfolded.
In Game 1, Charlie Morton dazzled with a vintage performance. Gunnar Henderson added late-inning drama with a clutch hit, continuing to build his case as one of the club’s emotional leaders.
Sugano's bounce-back in the nightcap put a bow on a dominant day. It was the kind of performance that could very well earn him another start post-All-Star break — especially if he’s found the rhythm that made him so effective in April and May.
The Orioles’ rotation has never quite clicked all at once this season. While Sugano excelled early, Morton was struggling and Trevor Rogers was working his way back from Triple-A. Now, Morton and Rogers are your top arms, while Sugano tries to reassert his place in the pecking order.
Coming Up Next
Baltimore will look to keep the momentum rolling when the Miami Marlins come to town for a three-game series beginning Friday night. Miami enters the weekend with a 42-49 record and will send Edward Cabrera to the mound for the opener. He’s sporting a 3.33 ERA and could be a tough test. If the Orioles stick with their rotation, Dean Kremer is expected to start Friday, followed by Trevor Rogers and Brandon Young.
There’s still a long road ahead, but if this club keeps stacking wins and mixing in dominant outings like the one Sugano just gave them, that road could lead somewhere exciting.
Final Thought
In a season where expectations haven’t exactly been met, it’s easy to write a team off. But with a GM who isn’t afraid to mix it up, a rotation that’s showing signs of coming together, and a lineup that can drop a crooked number in a heartbeat, the Orioles aren’t going down quietly. Thursday wasn’t just two wins — it was a statement.
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