Another poor starting pitching performance, this time by John Means (1-3, 7.26) who allowed five runs on three home runs in just 5.2 IP as the Blue Jays send the Orioles to their 9th straight loss with a 9-4 win.
Orioles Moves
The Orioles promoted LHP Tanner Scott and RHP Brady Rogers to the bullpen to provide some needed fresh arms.
The team also announce the RHP Hunter Harvey will not need to go on the DL but is day to day with a “tired arm”.
Orioles Lineup vs RHP Nate Pearson (2-0, 0.67)
- Rio Ruiz – 3B
- Andrew Velazquez – SS
- Austin Hays – CF
- Dwight Smith Jr. – LF
- Chance Sisco – DH
- Pedro Severino – C
- DJ Stewart – RF
- Hanser Alberto -2B
- Chris Davis – 1B
Starting Pitcher – John Means (1-2, 7.11)
As has been the trend of late, the Blue Jays got on the board against starter John Means in the top of the first with a two-out, (I know your shocked if you have been following these sims) with a Randal Grichuk RBI triple to give them a 1-0 lead.
Toronto starter Nate Pearson, who leads the AL in ERA and strikeouts, struck out the side in the bottom of the 1st to start this game with an ominous tone.
In the top of the 4th, Grichuk struck again when he tore into a Means fastball for a home run to left to make it 2-0. A lead off homer by DH Brandon Drury in the 5th extended the lead to 3-0.
The 6th inning was more of the same as Means has been giving up homers this year like grand mom hands out cookies. this time it’s a two-run homer, the Blue Jays 3rd of the game to give them a 5-0 lead.
After getting two-outs, a double by Stephen Vogt (the Blue Jays 10th off Means) brought Hyde out and ended another ineffective outing from an Orioles starter. Means has to be pretty happy that the Triple-A starters have been pretty awful as well because he’s pitched his way back to the minors on any decent staff. Hyde brought in Brady Rogers for some extended relief.
In the bottom of the 6th, the only Orioles hitter who has been consistently good this entire season, Austin Hays, finally got to Pearson with a long 441 ft home run to right center to put the Orioles on the board 5-1.
It took all of one batter to get that run back as Rogers made himself feel comfortable on this homer ridden staff by serving up an 0-2 lead off homer to make it 6-1. With one out, Grichuk tied the Blue Jays single game record with his 2nd triple. A ground out scored him to make it 7-1.
In the bottom of the 7th, a walk by Pedro Severino was followed by a two-run homer by DJ Stewart, his 1st of the year, cut the lead to 7-3.
SS Andrew Velazquez led off the bottom of the 8th with a 451 ft blast to center to make it 7-4. didn’t realize he has that kind of power. That also ended Pearson’s night.
Hyde went to Cole Sulser in the 9th and the Blue Jays took little time teeing off him for two more runs before he was able to get the last out with the bases loaded. Just not a lot of good options for pitching on this club.
The Orioles went down quietly in the 9th and fell 9-4 for their 9th straight loss. The Orioles are now 9-17, in last place, and have not won a game since their 6-game winning streak.
Orioles Player of the Game: DJ Stewart (2-for-3, BB, HR, 2 RBI)
After game roster moves
Needing pitching, the Orioles optioned Richard Bleier and Hector Velazquez to Norfolk. Corresponding moves will be announced before tomorrow’s game.
Minor League Highlights
Norfolk loss 5-12 (6-10)
Just as bad as the Orioles this year, the Tides lost again. Zac Lowther (5.60) pitched decently allowing four runs in seven innings with seven strikeouts. 2B Ramon Urias went 2-for-4 with two doubles to pace the offense.
Bowie loss 2-3 (9-7)
DL Hall (6.38) had to be pulled after three innings after needing 85 pitches to get through those innings. Allowed three runs on six hits and four walks. CF Ryan Mckenna (.217) went 1-for-4 with a double.
Keys loss (3-5)
Drew Rom (2.86) allowed five runs, but three earned in 5.1 IP. C Adley Rutschman (.324) went 2-for-5 with a double (5) and RBI. JC Encarnacion (.266) went 2-for-5.
Delmarva loss 1-4 (5-12)
Kylr Brnovich (8.74) allowed four runs, three earned in four innings. 1B Andrew Daschbach went 2-for-4 with a triple and RBI. SS Darrell Hernaiz (.146) went 2-for-4 with a double.
