Sunday marked the final regular season game for the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. A crowd of 44,040 was on hand to see that last game in the hope that the Birds would inch closer to securing a spot in the post season. The Detroit Tigers, who are fighting for a spot in the post season as well, would have none of that, defeating the Orioles 4-3.
With six games remaining in the regular season, barring an epic collapse, the Orioles should return to Oriole Park to host the Wild Card Series.
The Tigers struck early and led the Orioles 3-0 after 3 innings. The Orioles tied the game with three runs of their own in the fifth inning only to see the Tigers retake the lead in the sixth on a Kerry Carpenter homerun off of starter Albert Suarez (8-7). That was the second homer for Carpenter in the game and the third homerun Suarez gave up in the loss. After walking the next batter, Suarez was removed from the game and finished with a line of 5.0 IP, 4 R, 5 H (3 HR), BB and 6 K.
The bullpen took over and four relievers combined to hold the Tigers scoreless and hitless. The problem was the offense could not cash in, leaving runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh innings and going three-up, three-down in the eighth and ninth.
The totality of the offense and scoring in the fifth came on a Cedric Mullins (1 for 4, HR, R, 2 RBI) two-run homerun and a Jordan Westburg (1 for 4, 2B, RBI) RBI double.
Gunnar Henderson went 1 for 3 with a run scored and 2 walks.
Adley Rutschman went 2 for 4 with a double.
Ramon Urias went 1 for 4 with a run scored.
2024 Record: 86-70
Next Game: Tues. 9/24 vs. Yankees @ 7:05 pm in the Bronx