With the Orioles and Tigers separated by just a single game in race for the final wild card spot in the American League going into the weekend, the writing on the wall was clear: this was the biggest series of the year for both clubs, with heavy playoff implications. More or less, it was October baseball in September.
But after dropping a tough game by a score of 4-3 on Friday night, the Orioles soared back to win the next two games to not only take the series, but to move two games ahead of the Tigers and the Yankees in the race for the second wild card spot while also tying Toronto for the top spot, and pulling themselves to just two games behind the first place Red Sox in the chase for the division title.
The adrenaline of September baseball is starting to flow, and the roller coaster has only just begun to churn the engines…but with just 20 games left remaining on the calendar, the Orioles are starting to solidify their claim for a postseason ticket and as long as they stay the course, they should reach their destination one way or another.
Just as it seemed we were halfway to pressing the panic button, this Orioles squad is starting to catch fire at the exact right time with a 6-3 record since September 1st.
What else can you say? Goonies Orioles never say die!
In the series opener on Friday, the Orioles found themselves in a 3-0 hole going into the sixth before a two-run shot by Jonathan Schoop cut the Tigers lead to 3-2. The Orioles leveled the score in the eighth on an RBI single from Adam Jones, but the comeback came to a screeching halt as Victor Martinez instantly reclaimed the lead for the Tigers after launching a massive solo blast off of Brad Brach in the bottom of the eighth. Despite the comeback attempt, the Tigers would hang on to take home a crucial 4-3 win.
Perhaps a bit irritated after seeing their hard work undone the night before, the Orioles offense put on a dynamic display of hitting in the 11-3 dismantling of the Tigers on Saturday. A solo blast from Adam Jones and a two-run shot by Chris Davis handed the O’s an instant 3-0 advantage in the first, while Matt Wieters’ two-run bomb highlighted the Orioles three-run second inning to take a commanding 6-1 lead. The O’s continued the onslaught with an RBI single by Jones in the third and a RBI double from Mark Trumbo in the fourth before Wieters delivered the knockout blow by way of a three-run shot in the sixth to give the Birds a massive 11-2 lead.
Oh, and to go along with the offensive explosion, Ubaldo Jimenez was marvelous again, allowing just two runs on four hits over seven innings while striking out four in the Orioles’ 11-3 drubbing over Detroit.
While the epic series finale on Sunday revolved around the return of Orioles ace Chris Tillman, who allowed just a single run on four hits over six innings while racking up four K’s, the MVP of the game goes to O’s newcomer Michael Bourn. The veteran speedster cranked a two-run shot off of Tigers ace Justin Verlander in the third inning to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead.
The O’s didn’t look in the rearview mirror after Bourn’s go-ahead homer, and Jonathan Schoop would make it 3-0 O’s with a solo shot in the fourth. From that point on, the brilliance of Tillman and the relieving trio of Mychal Givens, Brad Brach and Zach Britton stifled the Tigers potent offense as the Orioles banked a critical 3-1 victory to take the series.
I have to say: of course it was huge to win both of the last two games of the series. But what impresses me most about the Orioles trip to Detroit was how they responded to receiving such a gut-punch of a loss on Friday. Even after such a devastating loss, they bounced back with tremendous poise and composure… and they made it seem like it didn’t even happen come first pitch on Saturday.
Sure, anyone can show character and strength in victory. But how you react and respond after taking a fall in the face of defeat is the real mark of a champion, on and off of the field. I’m not saying this team has ascended into a Vegas-favorite for the title, but with a philosophy and a backbone as strong as it is in this squad, I won’t say they can’t do it either.
Let’s take a look at the notes from the showdown in Motown:
– Kevin Gausman, Ubaldo Jimenez and Chris Tillman silenced the Tigers sluggers all series long and finished the three-game war with a stellar 2.89 ERA over 19 combined innings.
– After a valiant outing on Friday, Gausman is 4-2 with an outstanding 2.38 ERA over his last seven starts.
– Due to his dominant start on Saturday, Jimenez now owns a 2-1 record with a spectacular 2.67 ERA over his last five outings.
– After recording his 16th win of the season in his return from the DL on Sunday, Chris Tillman is now tied for third in the MLB in wins.
– The Orioles rotation, whose first half struggles seem like ancient history, has posted a remarkable 2.62 ERA over the last 17 ballgames. Even though the starters have made our blood boil for the majority of the campaign, they deserve all of the credit in the world for stepping up when in matters the most.
– Highlighted by Zach Britton maintaining his perfect 41-for-41 mark in save opportunities this year on Sunday, the Orioles bullpen continued their impressive run of form versus the Tigers and own a sparkling 2.18 ERA over the last 12 games.
– The O’s offense continues to heat up as we grind through September. After hitting a respectable .247 as a team along with scoring 17 runs on seven homers versus Detroit, the Orioles are now hitting .263 at the plate while scoring 53 runs (5.9 per game) on 17 homers since the beginning of the month.
– I have an idea; let’s just give Adam Jones his bronze statue now. Forget waiting for him to retire…after going 6-for-11 with a homer and three RBI versus Detroit, Jones now owns a sparkling .339 average with 16 runs, six home runs and 17 RBI over his last 30 contests. Oh captain, my captain!
So feel good, Birdland. Your club just aced their biggest test of the season this weekend. Be proud and enjoy it!
But for now, keep the champagne on ice. The Birds have to do this “biggest series of the season” thing all over again at Fenway starting tonight at 7:10.
And just like this past weekend in Motown, there will be a war in Boston between the O’s and Sox. It doesn’t get any better than this…
Here’s to coming home on a high note!
