We always talk about how much of a roller coaster September baseball is, and the Orioles latest four-game stint versus the Rays was a shining example of just that. I feel like both clubs went through all five stages of emotion at some point over the weekend, maybe even twice.
Actually, check to make sure you still have a pulse. If you do, brace yourselves for the series against Boston.
The series started with a frustrating 7-6 loss to the Rays on Thursday, a game in which the Orioles shot themselves in the foot on more than one occasion. With runners on first and third and just one out, the Orioles failed to tie the game in the fourth after Nolan Reimold’s inning-ending double play. The O’s flubbed another massive scoring opportunity in the fifth. With runners on second and third and zero outs, Manny Machado struck out, Mark Trumbo popped up to first base and Chris Davis grounded out to end the inning.
After the Orioles responded to Evan Longoria’s three-run shot in the top of the first with a two-run single from Matt Wieters and a go-ahead two-run double by J.J. Hardy, the Rays would take control of the game en route to scoring four unanswered runs to take a 7-4 lead.
And despite finally cashing in on a prime scoring opportunity with two runs in the eighth to cut the Rays lead to 7-6, the Orioles botched a potential game-winning situation in the ninth after Trumbo and Davis both struck out with the tying run on third to end the game.
I usually don’t let losses bother me…but this one was too much to bear. Some profanity may have been directed at the television screen, but I’ll plead the fifth. Moving on!
The Rays jumped out to a 4-0 lead after a pair of two-run homers by Evan Longoria and Richie Shaffer on Friday, but a resilient Orioles team pulled off a massive comeback and an important win. A pair of solo homers by Pedro Alvarez in the second and Davis in the fourth cut Tampa’s lead in half. Hyun Soo Kim would pull the O’s to within a run on a clutch RBI single (that was nearly a grand slam) in the seventh.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Orioles got a dose of luck after the Rays walked and plunked the bases loaded before J.J. Hardy made them pay with a game-tying RBI infield single and Michael Bourn drove in the go-ahead run on a sac fly to give the Orioles their first lead of the game.
Zach Britton would remain invincible by recording his 44th save in as many chances en route to locking up a crucial 5-4 win for the Birds…But not before an incredible relay tandem of Michael Bourn-Manny Machado-Matt Wieters to gun down the potential game-tying run at the plate to end the game. That may be a candidate for ‘’Orioles Play of the Season.’’
However, despite owning an early 2-0 lead, the Orioles could not take control of the series on Saturday as the Rays snatched another game from the Birds.
None other than Evan Longoria would tie the game in the sixth on a solo shot before Richie Shaffer’s go-ahead RBI double. Mikie Mahtook clinched the Rays win with a clutch two-run single off of Mychal Givens in the eighth. When it was all said and done, the Rays scored five unanswered runs from the fourth inning onward in the 5-2 victory.
Facing a must-win contest, the Orioles got the job done on Sunday to finish the series level with Tampa Bay. It wasn’t pretty at times, but what a huge win it was.
After Manny Machado’s equalizing solo blast in the sixth, the game remained tied until Mark Trumbo came through in the clutch with a show-stopping solo shot to left to hand the Birds and Zach Britton a 2-1 advantage. While it was way less stressful, the Orioles star closer locked up the Orioles critical victory in the ninth for his 45th save on the year. Give him the Cy Young already….
Now, let’s take a look at the highlights from the clash against Tampa:
– While the Orioles may have taken a step back in the chase for the AL East title, they have pulled a game ahead of the Blue Jays for the first wild card spot and have pulled out to a three-game lead over Detroit and Seattle to remain firmly in the playoff picture. This is it…13 games left to decide our fate. Let’s get it done fellas!
– The Orioles have been soaring since September baseball began and own an impressive 10-6 record on the month. They’ve also gone 4-0-1 in series play so far in September.
– The Orioles have ended their season set against Tampa Bay with a commanding 13-6 record and an 8-2 mark versus the Rays at Camden Yards.
– The Orioles have also extended their home record at Camden Yards to a phenomenal 47-27 this season, good for third best in the AL and tied for fourth best in the majors.
– The Orioles bullpen was in postseason form versus Tampa Bay, recording a stellar 1.13 ERA over 16 innings. Over the last 19 contests, the O’s relievers have posted a sparkling 2.39 ERA.
– After registering two more saves on the year versus Tampa, Zach Britton’s AL-best 45 saves are now tied with the Dodgers Kenley Jansen for second in the entire league. Let’s see….45-for-45 in save situations, a ridiculous 0.59 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, .157 BAA and .224 OBP…and there is still a debate about who the AL’s best pitcher was this season? Give me a break…
– After clubbing four homers versus Tampa Bay, the Orioles MLB-leading team home run total now stands at 236. For those tracking at home the Orioles are on pace for 256 homers, just one shy of the franchise’s all-time single-season mark of 257 set in 1996.
Oh yeah, two more things….
Bring on Boston…and let the good times roll!
