Baltimore Orioles currently playing with Little League joy
By Darren Klein
The Baltimore Orioles are currently playing with the joy often found in Little League baseball.
The Baltimore Orioles participated in the Little League Classic on Sunday night against the Boston Red Sox. The O’s play with that Little League joy right now by displaying a nothing to lose attitude.
After another win on Sunday night, they’re still in the thick of the American League Wild Card race, only trailing the Seattle Mariners by 2.5 games. The Orioles had a huge weekend with the sticks, scoring 23 runs in three games against the Red Sox.
On Sunday night, Jorge Mateo was the hero yet again. He hit a bases-clearing double to win the game in the bottom of the eighth. Jorge Mateo had his 42nd RBI on the year after picking up three with that hit. He has 27 stolen bases, plays great defense, and continues to be a massive spark. Mateo also hit his 12th home run of the year on Friday.
Baltimore’s first two runs on Sunday night came from ground balls by Anthony Santander and Ramón Urias. Outfielder Kyle Stowers also enjoyed a nice weekend with four hits and two RBI. The young prospect, ranked ninth in the Baltimore system and someone who was just recently called up, could be a huge difference maker down the stretch. In Triple-A, Stowers had 19 home runs, 78 RBI, and an OPS of .885. He could be that extra outfield bat that the Orioles have needed. He could also help with the loss of Trey Mancini.
Adley Rutschman had an incredible weekend and watching him sign the Little Leaguers’ jerseys while they signed his was priceless. Rutschman said he would go autograph for autograph. On Sunday, he only picked up one hit. However, for the series, he had six hits and a pair of RBI. Rutschman’s play continues to improve as he now has an OPS of .825 on the season. Having him for a full season next year will make the O’s deadly.
Felix Bautista picked up another save on Sunday night and his fifth in last seven appearances. Bautista has a 1.23 ERA and eight strikeouts during this stretch. The job he’s done after the departure of Jorge Lopez has been massive. Bautista has a 1.73 ERA in 52 innings. He’s struck out 68 batters and has a WHIP of 0.90. He’s basically unhittable at this point.
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The Baltimore Orioles can’t let off the gas now as each series gets bigger and bigger. Tuesday will bring the Chicago White Sox, a team right behind the O’s in the tight AL Wild Card Race. Baltimore simply must win the series and keep the good times rolling.