Two of the hottest teams in baseball; Orioles-Phillies clash in Baltimore for an East Coast duel
The Orioles are aiming to forget the loss that came at the hands of the Atlanta Braves last night and prepare for the National League leaders- Philadelphia Phillies. This series is merely an early season series but one cannot deny the playoff atmosphere rocking Camden Yards tonight. It’s always nice to see butts in seats at the most beautiful ballpark in Major League Baseball.
Kyle Braddish vs Ranger Suárez
Two of the best pitchers in baseball Kyle Braddish and Ranger Suárez are one to watch. Braddish couldn’t ask for a better start to the season, boasting an impressive 2.65 ERA and a 2-0 win-loss ratio, only allowing 25 hits throughout 37.2 innings pitched, complemented by 52 punchouts. Ranger fittingly gets to start on the Army’s birthday- Rangers lead the way. The young pitcher out of Venezuela holds a 1.85 ERA – currently the second-best in the Majors.
Braddish had a respectable night, holding the Phillies offense to 2 runs albeit both being homers. Braddish came out of the game after 5 innings pitched with a pitch count under 80, a departure that feels seemingly early for a pitcher performing well, hopefully, nothing serious in regards to Braddish’s health. The Orioles simply cannot afford another pitcher to go down.
Ranger exhibited a near-perfect performance tonight, keeping the O’s bats to 1 run through 7 2/3 innings pitched. I guess that’s why he is the second-best pitcher in baseball.
Hits by McCann and Westburg in the 7th put two Oriole runners in scoring position. Sadly a blown call by the umpire on a full count ended the rally before any damage could be done, an unfortunate officiating pattern thus far in the season.
On the defensive side, Akin put on an absolute clinic. Hopefully, this pulls Akin out of his drought, again, the O’s could desperately use another strong arm in the bullpen.
The comeback kids strike again….almost
The comeback kids almost strike again, Tony Taters aka Mr. Bobblehead Night aka Don’t Test My Power hit an absolute dinger to left field on a high fastball down 1-2 in the count to tie the game 2-2. Sending a magnitude 9.3 earthquake through Camden Yards and the great state of Maryland.
Going into the 9th – Gunnar Henderson doing what Gunnar Henderson does, which is making tough plays look easier than stealing candy from a baby- robbing a base hit from Castellanos. Kimbrel makes quick work of Harper but gives up a base hit to Bohm. Then sends Stott back to the dugout with a punchout giving the O’s offense a tie game going into the bottom of the 9th.
Phillies closer Alvarado makes quick work of the Orioles side retiring all 3 batters taking us into bone-chilling extra innings.
Top of the 10th – Cano hands the mound over to Pérez with 2 outs and the bases loaded to face Schwarber- tied ball game. Schwarber sends a base hit to right field – Santander delivers a miraculous throw to home plate, preventing the second runner from scoring and giving the O’s a chance to win it or stay alive- 3-2 Phillies.
Kerkering replaces Alvarado and hits Westburg on the first pitch. Based loaded 2 outs a wildpitch gets away from Marchán sending Mullins home, originally called out in questionable fashion but later overturned sending us tied into the 11th and straight into a rain delay. A truly stressful game for Orioles and Phillies fans and an absolute pool day for MLB fans watching at home.
After a 1hr 15min rain delay the teams take to the field to open up the 11th, Bohm hits a ball deep to left field just out of reach for Hays driving in 2 runs- 5-3 Phillies. The Orioles side is retired. Both teams expended a lot of resources on this game, a very tough loss for the Orioles. Final score 5-3 Philies. The two teams will meet again tomorrow at 4:05 PM.
