The Baltimore Orioles created yet another frustration for their fans on Tuesday night. After falling two runs behind, they tied the game in the 9th inning with a Coby Mayo home run and a run of comebacks, but lost in the 10th inning to the Seattle Mariners, 6-5, at Camden Yards in front of 14,728 fans.
The loss extended the Orioles’ bad streak to four games and left the team at 31-37 on the season. The Mariners improved to 36-32 and remain at the top of the American League West Division.
Starting Pitcher and Starting Offensive Highlights
Mariners starter Logan Gilbert worked six solid innings after a 31-pitch 1st inning. He allowed just one run and delivered a quality outing. Mitch Garver was the offensive highlight early with a three-run home run in the 4th inning against Trevor Rogers.
Rogers, in his 12th start, gave up three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. His ERA has risen to 6.15, and he hasn’t recorded a quality outing since April.
Reaction in the 7th and pressure at the end
The Orioles showed life in the 7th inning, taking advantage of an error and a wild pitch to score, but the bullpen gave up ground. In the 9th, Mayo connected on a 422-foot home run, and the team tied the game. However, Randy Arozarena decided the game in the top of the 10th with a two-run home run off Rico Garcia, with the automatic runner on second base.
The Orioles had a loaded base in the 9th, but were unable to pull off the comeback. They are just 2 hits in 20 opportunities with runners in scoring position in the first two games of the series.
Rutschman injury and defensive challenges
Adley Rutschman was out for the second game in a row because of a problem in his left calf. Coach Craig Albernaz classified it as day-to-day after the receiver performed physical work during the day.
The game featured several close plays, including a contested out by Gunnar Henderson at first base and another by Blaze Alexander at home plate in the 10th. The Orioles lost the challenge in the last one.
Statements by the protagonists
Mayo recognized the difficulty of replicating pressure situations in training. “You can’t prepare for these moments. You just have to learn from them and try to get it right next time”, said the young player. Albernaz praised the team’s fight, but lamented their inability to capitalize on opportunities against a good pitcher like Gilbert.