Monday’s game at Coors Field was not the slugfest fans have come to expect at that altitude. What transpired was a well-pitched, tight game that the Baltimore Orioles won 2-1 over the Colorado Rockies (52-86). In doing so the Orioles extended the Rockies’ home losing streak to ten consecutive games as well as reaching the .500 mark for the first time since game one of a double header with the Houston Astros on April 30th.
Cade Povich and Colorado’s Tanner Gordon matched up well until the game was interrupted by a 1 hour, 38 minute rain delay. Povich allowed 1 run on 5 hits, walked 3 and struck out 4 over 5.0 innings while Gordon allowed 1 run on 3 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3 over the same 5.0 innings.
In the fourth inning Povich bent but didn’t break. With runners on second and third and two outs, Povich gave up a RBI-single to Jordan Beck and then issued a walk to Troy Johnston to load the bases. Povich induced Ezequiel Tovar to fly out to right field to end the threat.
The Orioles answered the Rockies’ run in the fifth with back-to-back doubles by Dylan Beavers (1 for 3, R) and Samuel Basallo (1 for 3, RBI, BB).
The bullpen took over for Povich and a quartet of relievers combined to allow three hits while keeping the Rockies off the score board.
Grant Wolfram (6-2) allowed a hit and struck out 2 over 2.0 innings. He earned the win courtesy of Colton Cowser (0 for 4, RBI) who legged out a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded and 1 out in the seventh inning. A successful challenge of the play at first turned an inning ending double play into a force out at second base with Coby Mayo (1 for 3, R, BB) scoring on the play.
Alex Hoppe (0.1 IP, H, BB) and Rico Garcia (0.2 IP, K) combined to pitch the eighth with Garcia getting the O’s out of a one-out, runners on first and second jam.
Andrew Kittredge was credited with the save, his ninth of the season, for his 1 hit, 1 strikeout effort. The save should have gone to Cowser, however. With two outs and Johnston on second, Jake McCarthy hit a fly ball to center that Cowser tracked to the outfield wall and made a spectacular leaping catch to deny the Rockies a walk-off win. Orioles’ pitcher Chris Bassitt called it a walk-off out. After the game Cowser did acknowledge the magnitude of the catch but admitted that the catch he made in Norfolk on August 23rd, 2023 was better.
Finally at the .500 mark, the Orioles must ride the momentum and not digress.
2026 Record: 69-69
Next Game: Tues. 9/1 @ 8:40 pm @ Colorado Rockies
