Austin Hays made it three games in a row with an Orioles with a multiple home run game as he crushed two in a 12-4 win over the Pirates. The Orioles have won five straight.
Orioles Lineup vs RHP Kyle Hendricks
- Andrew Velazquez – SS
- Rio Ruiz – 3B
- Austin Hays – CF
- Dwight Smith Jr. – DH
- Renato Nunez – DH
- Anthony Santander – RF
- Chris Davis – 1B
- Hanser Alberto – 2B
- Chance Sisco – C
Starting pitcher: Alex Cobb (3-0, 1.89)
The Cubs got on the board on the top of the 2nd after SS Andrew Velazquez got to a ball in the hole but hesitated enough on the throw that runners were safe at 1st and 3rd with no outs. That’s probably a play Jose Iglesias makes. Instead, one batter later, 2B David Bote hits a long fly to center field that scored the Cubs first run to make it 1-0.
In the bottom of the third, the Orioles started to get to Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks who had allowed just one hit through the first nine batters he faced. After loading the bases, DH Renato Nunez lined a two-out single to center field that scored both Rio Ruiz and Austin Hays to put the Orioles ahead 2-1.
In the top of the 4th, Anthony Rizzo led off by taking Alex Cobb deep onto the flag court and almost onto Eutaw Street to tie the game up. Cobb then allowed Javier Baez single but he was wiped out by a nifty 6-4-3 double play before Cobb struck out Jason Kipnis to keep it 2-2.
In the bottom of the 4th the Orioles loaded the bases with two walks and a single by Hanser Alberto for Hays, who promptly hit a scorching liner to deep right center. Steven Sousa Jr., not know for his glove usually, went deep to his right and dove making an amazing catch that probably saved three runs.
In the top of the 5th, Cobb got the leadoff hitter to pop out but he grabbed his shoulder. Hyde and the trainer came out and after a brief conversation, Cobb was taken out of the game with what appears to be some kind of shoulder injury. Wilmer Font was brought in with one out in the 5th. and got the next two batters out.
In the bottom of the 5th, Dwight Smith Jr. led off with a nice opposite field home run to left to put the O’s back on top 3-2.
With Hendricks at 90 pitches, the Cubs brought in lefty Brad Wieks to start the 6th. He promptly mixed in two walks with two out, before Hays deposited came up and slammed his team leading 6th home run of the season into the right field stands. Looks like he likes his move to the third spot in the order. Smith jr. then popped out but the Orioles extend their lead to 6-2.
After Font dominated the Cubs some more in the top of the 7th, Hanser Alberto extended the lead to 7-2 with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning.
Hyde brought in Miguel Castro to pitch the 8th taken out Font who had not allowed a hit in 2.2 IP while striking out four. Font has been money since being claimed on waivers from the Blue Jays. Castro allowed a walk and hit, but settled down and kept the game 7-2 before finishing off with a scoreless ninth to give the Orioles their 6th straight win. Orioles improve to 9-8 but will need to wait on an MRI to find out the extent of Cobb’s injury.
Orioles Player of the Game: Austin Hays (3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI) Hays is now tied for 3rd in the AL with 6 home runs.
Minor League Highlights
Norfolk off (3-2)
Tides were off.
Bowie won 3-0 (3-3)
Tom Eshleman proved he’s probably too good for AA by tossing eight shutout innings, striking out seven to lead the Baysox. LF Cole Billingsly (.455) continues to hit going 2-for-4. Jesmuel Valentin hit a 2-run homer to pace the Baysox.
Keys lost 2-8 (2-4)
2B Adam Hall went 2-for-4 with a double and stolen base, but starter Grayson Rodriguez (6.75) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with 4 strikeouts over five innings of work. 1B Toby Welk went 2-for-4 and now has a .357 OBP.
Delmarva won 3-2 (3-3)
Zach Peek was sharp in his professional debut allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings of work. Peek was acquired in the Dylan Bundy (4.91 in 11IP so far with Angles while pitching as a follower) trade. 2B Joseph Ortiz (.333) went 3-for-4 and 1B Andrew Daschbach (.381) went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI.
