The Baltimore Orioles were limited to five hits in a 5-0 shutout by the Boston Red Sox (78-65) on Saturday. The loss extended the team’s current losing streak to five games.
Here is the tale of the tape for the losing streak: 12 runs scored, 35 hits, 14 walks, 4 for 23 with runners in scoring position (.174) and a .207 (35 for 168) batting average. Since Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit his two-run homerun on Thursday, the Orioles have not scored in 18.2 innings.
Chris Bassitt (6-5) started Saturday night and was tagged with the loss. He pitched into the sixth inning and apparently was able to convince Manager Craig Albernaz to let him finish the inning during a mound visit with the bases loaded and two outs. Boston’s Eli White had other plans, however, and hit a Bassitt sinker to left field for a 2-RBI single. That marked the end of Bassitt’s outing. His final line was 3 runs allowed on 5 hits with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts over 5.2 innings. Rico Garcia,in relief of Bassitt, allowed one of the two runners he inherited to score on a Connor Wong single; the run was added to Bassitt’s line.
The Orioles did threaten to score in the first, third, eighth and ninth innings. Colton Cowser was able to touch homeplate in the third inning but unfortunately, it was after Wong tagged him out. Cowser had doubled, advanced to third on a Jackson Holliday line out to right field and was tagged out on a contact play with Blaze Alexander hitting a grounder to third base.
A bases loaded situation with two outs in the eighth inning was wasyed when Pete Alonso struck out swinging.
Albert Suarez pitched the final 3.0 innings of the game and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits with a walk and 3 strike outs.
The road ahead following Sunday’s series finale is a rough one. The O’s will play 3 games against the Cleveland Guardians followed by 3 games against the Toronto Blue Jays, teams that are needed to pass to secure the third AL Wild Card spot.
Even the most optimistic of Orioles fans must see the writing on the wall; 2026 is not the O’s year. Another season of unmet expectations.
2026 Record: 69-74
Next Game: Sun. 9/6 @ 1:35 pm vs. Boston Red Sox
