The double play is often referred to as “a pitcher’s best friend”. That certainly was true Wednesday night as the Baltimore Orioles infield turned five double plays in a 9-4 win over the Minnesota Twins. The infield trio of Jorge Mateo (SS), Rougned Odor (2B) and Ryan Mountcastle (1B) flashed the leather and provided the backup Orioles pitchers needed.
The offense did it’s part, posting a six run third inning; a feat the bats performed in the sixth inning on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox. Cedric Mullins (2 for 5, 2 Runs Scored, 2 RBI) and Ramon Urias (1 for 4, 1 Run Scored, 2 RBI) both hit two-run homeruns in the 3rd inning.
Trey Mancini had himself a night, going 3 for 3, all on infield singles, with 2 runs scored and a walk.
As to the defensive trio, Mateo went 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored, Odor went 1 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI, and Mountcastle went 2 for 4 with a double and a RBI.
Starter Kyle Bradish fared better than his counterpart Dylan Bundy. The right-hander allowed 4 runs on 6 hits (including a Carlos Correa homerun), walked 2, struck out 3 and hit Gary Sanchez with a pitch over 4.0 innings. Bundy, however, allowed 9 runs on 11 hits in 3.2 innings.
The pitcher of record was Cionel Perez (1-0), who allowed 1 hit, walked one and struck out one in 2.0 innings of work; it was his first win of the season.
Record: 9-16
