The Baltimore Orioles dropped the series opener in St. Louis 6-3 to Cardinals on Monday and it really wasn’t as close as the score may indicate. Cardinals starter Sonny Gray held the Orioles hitless through five innings, maintaining a 5-0 lead.
Two errors by St. Louis SS Masyn Winn put runners on first and second in front of Gunnar Henderson (1 for 3, HR, R, 3 RBI) who promptly hit his 16th homerun of the season and his fourth in as many games. Singles by Jordan Westburg (1 for 4) and Ryan O’Hearn (1 for 4) after the Henderson homerun gave the Orioles two more baserunners with one out but that is where the threat fizzled out, despite chasing Gray from the game.
Dean Kremer (3-4) was not at his best in the start and was tagged with the loss as a result. Kremer lasted just 4.0 innings and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, including a homerun, walked 3 and struck out just 2. He threw 56 of his 86 pitches for strikes.
Among the relievers Monday, Cionel Perez was less than effective, allowing a run on 2 hits with 2 walks and 2 walks in 1.2 innings.
Albert Suarez walked 2 with one out in the fifth inning but pitched his way out of that jam with a strikeout and a ground out.
Keegan Akin recorded the final four outs of the game, striking out one St. Louis batter.
2024 Record: 29-16
Next Game: Tues. 5/21 @ 7:45 pm vs. Cardinals in St. Louis