CLEVELAND — The Baltimore Orioles’ relief pitching, which had been the only consistent element for the struggling team, has turned into a major issue in recent weeks.
Following a Wednesday game where they entered with the highest bullpen ERA in the majors this month at 6.75, the Orioles saw another tightly contested match slip away when Colin Selby allowed the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, resulting in a 3-2 defeat against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Orioles (44-57) have dropped three consecutive games to start their matchup against the hot-handed Guardians, who have secured 11 victories in their last 13 contests. Baltimore, which has fallen seven times in its last eight games, hasn’t experienced a sweep in a four-game series since August 16-19, 2021, when the Tampa Bay Rays defeated them at Tropicana Field.
Selby came into Wednesday’s game in the eighth inning with the score tied at 2 and got the first two batters out. However, No. 9 batter Bo Naylor kept the inning going with a double into the left-center field gap and scored on an RBI single by Steven Kwan. It was the only run the bullpen gave up, but it proved costly in a series of late-inning losses for Baltimore.
Zach Eflin took the mound for his first game since June 29, following a stint on the injured list due to back issues, and gave up two runs in five innings. He didn’t let any runners reach base until the fourth inning, when the Guardians scored both runs off a bloop single from designated hitter Kyle Manzardo. The 31-year-old right-hander showed a significant improvement compared to his poor performance in June, and he will have one more start before the trade deadline.
Jordan Westburg tallied the Orioles’ initial run in the fourth inning when Ryan O’Hearn hit a sacrifice fly, and Jackson Holliday launched his 14th home run of the season in the sixth with a solo shot to right field. However, that was all the scoring for Baltimore as Cleveland’s right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi delivered a strong start, allowing two runs over six innings, and the bullpen finished the game with three consecutive scoreless innings.
Instant analysis
Holliday’s home run in the sixth inning tied him with Mullins and Ramón Laureano for the highest number of home runs by an Orioles player this season. The 21-year-old has the opportunity to become one of the youngest players in Orioles history to top the team in home runs, alongside Curt Blefary (1965) and Boog Powell (1963).
It’s a remarkable achievement for the rising star, who still has significant potential to increase his power as his body develops. Nevertheless, it also reflects current trends, as the Orioles’ leadoff hitter, who entered Wednesday’s game with only a .415 slugging percentage, leads the team in home runs.
Gunnar Henderson (11) has yet to regain the powerful swing that led him to hit 37 home runs a year ago. Tyler O’Neill (3) has faced too many injuries and hasn’t performed well even when he’s been on the field. Westburg (10) and Adley Rutschman (8) have also struggled with injuries and prolonged slumps.
Having fallen two home runs short of the New York Yankees for the MLB lead last season, the Orioles are now positioned at 12th place with 117 this year.
On deck
The Orioles will have Charlie Morton take the field on Thursday in an effort to prevent a sweep. Left-handed pitcher Logan Allen is scheduled to start for Cleveland.
Around the horn
— Catcher Maverick Handley visited a wrist specialist this week, while right-hander Scott Blewett sought a second opinion on his injured elbow. Both received positive updates, with Mansolino stating their conditions are “not severe.” Blewett is set to join the Orioles’ spring training facility in Florida in the next few days to restart throwing.
— First baseman Ryan Mountcastle will join Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday to start his rehabilitation process. The Orioles are optimistic he will be prepared to return on July 30, the earliest he can come back, although they may choose to activate him after the trade deadline when the roster stabilizes.
— The Orioles formally brought Eflin back from the 15-day injured list before Wednesday’s game and sent right-hander Brandon Young down to Triple-A as a follow-up action after he started against Cleveland in a 6-3 defeat on Tuesday. Handley was also transferred from the 7-day concussion IL to the 10-day IL after passing concussion protocols.
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