The Royals hit three homers in a row off Wade LeBlanc in the 6th inning ruining a good outing for him as they end up winning 4-2 over the Orioles.
Orioles make several roster moves
The Orioles made several roster moves today, most notable acquiring 27-year-old minor league RHP Glenn Sparkman and 24-year-old minor league LF Brewer Hicklen from the Kansas City Royals for 28-year-old LF Mason Williams and 23-year-old minor league RHP Jensen Elliott.
“We’re a better team now,” Orioles general manager Brandon Hyde said. “We’ve added several pieces to the puzzle.”
This year Williams is hitting .219 with no home runs and 0 RBIs to his credit. He has gotten on base at a .242 clip and scored 3 runs.
Taking a look at his season, Sparkman has made 6 relief appearances, recorded no saves and compiled a 0-0 won-lost mark and a 4.35 ERA. In pitching 10.1 innings, he has totaled 10 strikeouts and 4 walks. Sparkman was assigned to Norfolk and Hicklan to AA Bowie.
The Orioles also reinstated outfield DJ Stewart from the IL and sent LHP Tanner Scott to AAA Norfolk. David Hess was promoted to add additional long relief help.
Orioles Lineup vs RHP Greg Holland
- Rio Ruiz – 3B
- DJ Stewart – DH
- Dwight Smith Jr. – LF
- Renato Nunez – 1B
- Anthony Santander – RF
- Andrew Velazquez – CF
- Hanser Alberto – 2B
- Chance Sisco – C
- Jose Iglesias – SS
Starting Pitcher – Wade LeBlanc (0-1, 4.72)
The Royals got on the board early against Wade LeBlanc when Whit Merrifield singled then promptly stole second off C Chance Sisco. he would later score on a sac fly to make it 1-0.
Leblanc settled down and was cruising while trading zeroes with KC’s Jorge Lopez who followed Holland the opener until two out in the bottom of the 6th when KC went back to back to back with homers to end LeBlanc’s day and give the Royals a 4-0 lead. Brandon Hyde went to the pen and brought in newly recalled David Hess to provide some long relief.
The Orioles, who’s offense had been dominated all day by KC pitching, finally broke through in the top of the 8th when DJ Stewart doubled only to be knocked in by Dwight Smith Jr. double to make it 4-1. Hess meanwhile continued to shutout the KC offense and kept it 4-1
Up by three runs in the 9th, Royals brought in their closer Ian Kennedy and Anthony Santander met him with an opposite field double. a couple of ground outs later he scored to cut the lead to 4-2. With two outs, Sisco drew a walk and Hyde decide to pinch hit for Iglesias, bringing in Chris Davis for the Hail Mary. Kennedy though got ahead 1-2 and threw a circle-change that Davis swung through to end the game (Davis has struck out 13 times in 37 PAs). Royals win 4-2, the Orioles have now lost three straight and find themselves 9-11 on the year.
Orioles Player of the Game: David Hess (2.1 hitless IPs 2K)
Minor League Highlights
Norfolk won 6-3 (6-4)
DH Dilson Herrera went 2-for-3 with a home run and Alex Wells (8.31) allowed three runs over five innings of work.
Bowie won 5-2 (12 innings) (5-4)
Jemuel Valentin went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI and Cole Billingsley went 3-for-4 with three runs scored to pace the offense. Mickey Jannis (7.71) was much better in his second start allowing just two runs over seven innings.
Keys lost 2-4 (3-7)
RF Robert Nuestrom went 3-for-4 with a 2B to lead the offense, but Blaine Knight struggled again allowing four runs in four innings of work.
Delmarva lost 4-9 (4-6)
1B Andrew Daschbach went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI and DH Clay Fisher went 1-for-3 with a walk and stolen base. Connor Gillespie gave up three runs in six innings of work as the starter.
