Orioles Drop A Pitcher’s Duel

The Baltimore Orioles dropped a fourth game in a row on Saturday, losing 1-0 to the Minnesota Twins. A day after scoring one lone run, the Birds managed just three hits. Baltimore’s offense undoubtedly will be featured on milk cartons by game time Sunday.

Giving credit where it is due, Minnesota starter Bailey Ober (5-4) simply stifled the Orioles. The right-hander allowed 2 hits and struck out 8, but did hit a batter over 7.0 innings to earn the win.

Gunnar Henderson went 1 for 3.

Anthony Santander went 1 for 4.

Matching up against Ober was Baltimore started Kyle Bradish (4-4). Bradish allowed 1 run on 7 hits (1 HR), walked 1, struck out 7 and threw a wild pitch over 6.0 innings; a quality start that ended in a loss.

Adley Rutschman (1 for 4) gave the mostly Hawaiian shirt clad crowd of 40, 012 a glimmer of hope by leading off the ninth with a single. Jorge Mateo (0 for 0) pinch ran for Rutschman and stole second base (the out call was overturned on review). The game ended with Mateo stranded there.

In case you needed another reminder why Austin Hays should be an All-Star!! pic.twitter.com/Bh8jnBhKm1

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 1, 2023

An acknowledgement of the media jinx placed on the game must be given to the MASN crew. Their pre-game segment, “Who’s Hot, Who’s Not” cited the Twins Joey Gallo as who’s not. Of course it was Gallo (1 for 2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) who homered off Bradish in the fourth inning. It should also be noted that broadcaster Kevin Brown visited the “Bird Bath” twice and despite being misted by Mr. Splash, did not get wet on an extra-base hit just as Ben McDonald did on Friday, but I digress.

Jim, Ben and Kevin enjoying a treat pic.twitter.com/1MctkVeNSI

— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) July 1, 2023

BOX SCORE

2023 Record: 48-33

Next Game: Sun. 7/2 @ 12:05 pm (on Peacock) vs. Twins @ OPACY