Baltimore Orioles: Everything seemed to fall in place
By Brian Pinter
The Baltimore Orioles ended their five-game losing streak, and everything seemed to fall into place.
Last night, the Baltimore Orioles were able to get the best of the New York Yankees, 5-to-2, halting their losing streak at five. There were many that thought the O’s wouldn’t leave the Big Apple with a victory. However, they silenced those folks by playing an all-around complete game against one of the American League’s fiercest competitors.
Adam Jones came up clutch, yet again, as he hit his third home run of the season and second lifetime against Yankees starter, Masahiro Tanaka. However, it was Trey Mancini – out of the leadoff spot – that jolted an offense that reached double-digit hits for the second time in three games.
Mancini hit out of the leadoff spot last night, replacing Chris Davis and most recently, Tim Beckham. He indeed showed what a leadoff hitter should be able to do.
For just the fifth time in 159 major league games, Mancini started a ballgame and did not disappoint. His first two appearances were singles, and after a lineout in the 6th, he drove in two runs in the 7th, ultimately giving the Orioles the lead for good.
The Orioles stayed patient – for the most part
Although Jonathan Schoop and Chance Sisco‘s first plate appearances were first ball swings, the Orioles were patient against Tanaka. Beckham – although called out on strikes twice – worked Tanaka for 20 pitches. Schoop saw 14, and Manny Machado saw 12.
Staying patient was vital for the Orioles to take care of business last night. That, and of course stringing together some timely hits.
After 93 pitches, Tanaka was removed, giving way to a Yankees bullpen that had entered the game with a 6.63 ERA in 19 innings.
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Before Tanaka’s start, the Yankees starting rotation had only given up six runs in 33 innings (1.64 ERA). However, Tanaka was charged with three runs. Still not terrible, their rotation ERA now sits at 2.07.
Andrew Cashner delivered
The offseason signing of Andrew Cashner certainly boosted fans’ spirits about the Orioles rotation. However, after a five-inning, four-run outing on March 31 against the Minnesota Twins, there was some doubt cast over the 31-year-old right-hander.
However, Cashner turned in his first Quality Start of the season, going six innings and allowing just one run. That run was a solo home run to Aaron Judge.
Cashner struck out five while walking three and giving up just two hits on 100 pitches.
An Orioles starter recorded a win for the first time this season.
It’s also worth mentioning that Cashner limited, “Murderers Row 2.0,” to 1-for-11 line, with the only blip being Judge’s homer.
Next: What's gone right and wrong with the Orioles bullpen
Indeed, the Baltimore Orioles offense would like to carry last night’s success into tonight. They’ll square off against left-hander CC Sabathia. In 41 starts against the O’s, Sabathia holds a 19-and-10 record, with an ERA of 3.56.