Orioles take the field at the home of the Minnesota Twins, Target Field. The O’s enter this one on let’s be honest – fairly unpromising terms. First of which, a devastating 10-1 loss the night prior at the hand of the Yankees, allowing the Bronx-based ball club to clinch the AL East. The second of which is Cade Povich taking the mound who carries a horrific 9.75 ERA when pitching on the road this season, albeit a limited season for Cade, unpromising, nonetheless. The objective of this game and the remainder of the seasons is to keep on winning until we secure home-field advantage for the wild card round.
Top of the 2nd opens up perfectly- Adley Rutschman starts the night with a base hit to left field, not much better signs for the O’s at this point in the season. If we want a successful playoff run, Adley needs to return to his earlier season form. The momentum Adley generated appeared infectious as Ryan O’Hearn stepped up to the plate and crushed a sweeper to the bleachers in right field, 2-0 O’s. Mountcastle rifles a double but is left stranded.
Brandon Hyde pulled Cade in the 6th inning with a 75-pitch count after giving up a double with one out. Cade had a fantastic night only giving up 2 hits and passing the torch with 0 runs on the scoreboard. We are hoping this is the new norm for Mr. Povich, as the O’s are in need of some reliable arms if this is going to be our year.
The cows were Moooooooooooooooo’ng in Minnesota in the 7th after Cowser destroys one deeeepppp to right field putting the O’s up 3-0. And the O’s pounded the mound in the 8th knocking is 4 more runs through a series of hits.
The hitting tonight was spectacular, 12 collective hits on the night. I wish the O’s offense did this more consistently, home runs are great when they leave the field, but we have way too many pop-outs. Base hits gets the offense going, wears out the defense, raises the pitch count, and irriates the opposition. Consistent offense will be the key to success in this years playoffs, hitting for power will get us nowhere.
