The Baltimore Orioles struggled against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Even the presence of former Oriole Ben McDonald in the “Bird Bath Zone” during the broadcast (twice) could not ignite the bats. By losing 8-1, the Orioles dropped their third straight game, the team did however, compile a 13-11 record in the month of June, the third straight month with a winning record.
Spot the Ben in the Bird Bath 👀 pic.twitter.com/N0VEySUZvC
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) July 1, 2023
Adley Rutschman (1 for 4, 1 Run, 1 RBI) hit his 11th homerun of the year in the sixth inning, accounting for the lone Baltimore run. The homerun hit the top of the out-of-town scoreboard in right field and came a day after Rutschman learned he was the runner-up at the catcher position to start the 2023 All-Star Game in Seattle.
Third homer for Rutschman this month! pic.twitter.com/iyXsxBDxv9
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) July 1, 2023
Rain caused another delay (1 hr. 26 min.), the third this week, and once the game commenced, it was all but over when Dean Kremer (8-4) departed with two on and no one out in the fourth. Kremer allowed 7 runs on 7 hits (2 HR), walked 2, struck out 5 and hit a batter in 3.0 innings to take the loss.
Recalled earlier in the day from Norfolk, LHP Nick Vespi hurled a solid 3.0 innings of relief, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3. Vespi threw 31 strikes among 43 total pitches.
Austin Hays went 2 for 4 while Anthony Santander went 1 for 4.
2023 Record: 48-32
Next Game: Sat. 7/1 @ 4:05 pm vs. Minnesota @ OPACY