Baltimore Orioles: Dylan Bundy tosses one-hit shutout in crucial game
Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher Dylan Bundy entered Tuesday’s start against the Seattle Mariners with a 12-8 record and 4.18 ERA. With the Orioles needing every win they can muster, Bundy delivered.
Bundy was far from flawless in this outing. However, it was a season-defining start for the 24-year-old.
As the long-regarded “future ace” of the Orioles, Bundy came through with a one-hit shutout. It was the Orioles’ sixth straight victory and a win that put them one game out of a playoff spot.
Perhaps it was the way the game started that helped Bundy get locked in early for a terrific night.
A throwing error by shortstop Tim Beckham ruined the perfect game chance on the first play of the game. Bundy came back and struck out Yonder Alonso before retiring Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz each on a fielder’s choice. The first inning strikeout was the first of 12 Bundy would have in the game.
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Aside from an atypical bunt base hit by Mariners’ third baseman Kyle Seager in the fourth inning, Bundy kept the Mariners hitless. Although he did walk two and hit a batter, Bundy cruised with the win.
The Orioles’ bats helped Bundy out with four solo shots with Jonathan Schoop and Welington Castillo each hitting one. Manny Machado continued his hot streak with a pair of dingers in this one. After starting so poorly, he now has 30 homers for the season.
The shutout was the first of Bundy’s MLB career. In his previous 38 starts, he hadn’t gone the distance either. When you’re pitching this well and the other team isn’t making good contact, it’s easy for a manager to leave his starter in for all nine frames.
There is no question that Bundy is the Orioles’ ace. This start lowered his ERA to 3.94 on the year. No other starting pitcher is below 4.98. On a team that relies so heavily on its home runs and their elite bullpen, starts like these are always appreciated.
Interestingly enough, this start for Bundy was his first since going on the bereavement list last week. Although the reason for this is not known, it’s possible that Bundy was pitching in someone’s memory.
Next: Odor still searching for a spark
The Orioles finish their series with the Mariners on Wednesday before hosting the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend. Just as everyone seemed to count them out, they look right back in the thick of things. Wins like this over other wild card hopefuls sends a message that the Orioles aren’t going down without a fight.