Prior to embarking on an 11-day, 10 game road trip, the Baltimore Orioles concluded their series with the Los Angeles Angels (44-71) Thursday at Camden Yards. The conclusion reached was a 4-1 loss to the Angels that prevented a series sweep of the Halos. It appeared that the O’s bats were in the same closet as the broom as evidenced by the four hits they managed off Angels’ pitching.
The sun, heat (89 degree game-time temp.) and humidity (73%) made for an unbearable day for the starting pitchers, especially. Angels’ starter Ryan Johnson lasted 4.2 innings and allowed a run on three hits, walked 5 and struck out 1. In comparison, Baltimore’s Brandon Young (8-3) allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
If one only saw the first three innings of today’s game, for all intents and purposes, the game was seen in that time.
In the top of the third, with runners on first and second and one out, Zach Neto hit his 20th homerun of the season to center field to put the Angels up 3-0. Yohel Pozo (1 for 3) countered Neto’s homerun with one of his own in the home half of the third. It was unfortunate that his first Orioles’ homerun was a solo one.
The Orioles did have a chance to score more runs in the third inning but failed to take advantage of the situation. Dylan Beavers (1 for 3, BB) singled immediately after Pozo’s homerun but was thrown out on a steal attempt at second base. Back-to-back walks by Pete Alonso (1 for 3, BB) and Gunnar Henderson (0 for 1, 3 BB) and a hit by pitch by Christian Encarnacion-Strand loaded the bases for Jackson Holliday who grounded out to second to end the threat.
Baltimore had runners on first and second with two outs in the sixth and couldn’t cash in. Another opportunity was lost in the eighth inning when Henderson drew a walk to lead-off the inning, advanced to third on a pinch-hit single by Tyler O’Neill (1 for 1) and was thrown out at home while trying to score on a pitch that got past Angels’ catcher Moises Ballesteros.
The Angels tacked on their fourth run in the seventh inning when Yaramil Hiraldo committed a balk with runners on first and second. The runner on second, Wade Meckler, scored on a sacrifice fly by Nolan Schanuel.
The game ended with back-to-back strikeouts by pinch-hitters Christian Franklin and Coby Mayo with Mayo watching strike three.
Once again, the Orioles cannot reach the one game below .500 mark.
2026 Record: 56-59
Next Game: Fri. 8/7 @ 8:15 pm @ Texas Rangers (APPLE TV)
