Wade LeBlanc tossed five shutout innings and ended up allowing just 1 ER over 6.1 IP to lead the Orioles over the Royals for the first time this season with a 6-3 win.
Orioles Lineup vs RHP Brad Keller (2-2, 4.45)
- DJ Stewart – DH
- Andrew Velazquez – 2B
- Austin Hays – CF
- Renato Nunez – 1B
- Dwight Smith Jr. – LF
- Anthony Santander – RF
- Bryan Holaday – C
- Rio Ruiz – 3B
- Julio Iglasias – SS
Starting Pitcher – Wade LeBlanc (0-2, 6.20)
The Orioles got on the board in the second inning when a couple single put runnners on 1st and 3rd with two-outs when DJ Stewart launched a 430 ft three homer to center field to give the Orioles an early 3-0 lead.
In the top of the 5th with a runner on 1st and two outs, Whit Merryfield got a hold of a Wade Miley offering and lined it deep to left. Dwight Smith Jr. though ran back and dove at the fence to make the grab for the final out. that’s five shutout innings for Miley.
In the bottom of the 5th, with two runners on and one out, Renato Nunez lined a double down the right field line that scored two more to make it 5-0. RF Anthony Santander then followed with a single up the the middle to score Nunez and the Orioles took a 6-0 lead.
Jorge Solar led of the 6th with a solo home to finally score for the Royals and make it 6-1.
Manager Brandon Hyde tried to get an extra inning out of LeBlanc, but after getting an out, two singles an error by Nunez loaded the bases and forced him to go with Hunter Harvey. Harvey got a fly out that ended that was deep enough to score a run to make it 6-2, then allowed a single to score a run to make it 6-3. Harvey walked a batter to load the bases but then struck out Salvatore Perez to limit the dame and keep it 6-3. Both runs were unearned due to the error.
In the bottom of the 7th, the Orioles loaded the bases with no outs and looked to add to the lead. Unfortunately though, Santander struck out and C Bryan Holaday grounded back to the pitch and barely beat it out to avoid the double play. Hyde then pinch hit Hanser Alberto for Rio Ruiz with the lefty on the mound but he hit into a 5-4 force play and the Orioles blew a great opportunity to add to the lead.
With a 6-3 lead, and Hyde trying to stay away from Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro, Tanner Scott was brought in to attempt the save. Although he gave up one single, Scott collected two strikeouts and a fly out to collect his first save of the year as the Orioles win 6-3. The Orioles finally beat the Royals in six chances and improve to 11-19.
Orioles Player of the game: Wade LeBlanc (6.1IP, 3R, 1ER)
Minor League Highlights
Norfolk lost 2-8 (8-12)
Keegan Akin (0-3, 7.71) allowed seven runs in 3.1 IP to pick up the loss. Cedric Mullins (.236) went 4-for-5 with a double.
Bowie won 1-0 (12-8)
Alex Wells didn’t allow his demotion to affect his game as he tossed 6.1 IP shutout innings with 5Ks. Ryan McKenna (.236) went 2-for-4.
Keys lost 2-8 (8-12)
Blaine Knight (8.64) allowed five runs in 3.1 IP and may have pitched his way out of the rotation. Robert Neustrom (.274) hit his 8th double of the season.
Delmarva won 4-3 (8-13)
Andrew Dacschbach (.315) went 2-for-4 and Mason Janvrin went 2-for-4 with a double to lead the offense. Kevin McGee (4.26) allowed three runs in 4.1 IP, but Adam Stauffer (0.00) pitched 3.1 shutout innings of relief.
Orioles moves
The Orioles announced both Cody Carroll and Brady Rogers passed through waivers and were assigned to AAA Norfolk.
There are rumors regarding a trade between the Orioles and Reds involving Chance Sisco but there is no confirmation at this time.
