Orioles Waste Shane Baz Gem, Fall to Rangers 2-1 in Series Opener

By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog

The Baltimore Orioles received one of Shane Baz’s best performances of the season Friday night, but another quiet offensive showing and a dramatic play at the plate in the ninth inning sent Baltimore to a 2-1 loss against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.

Baz threw the first complete game of his Major League career, allowing only two runs on three hits over eight innings. The right-hander struck out nine and walked one, but Joc Pederson’s two-run home run in the sixth inning proved to be enough for Texas.

Baltimore had an opportunity to tie the game in the ninth when Christian Franklin doubled down the right-field line for his first Major League hit. Leody Taveras attempted to score from first, but a Rangers relay cut him down at home. The Orioles challenged the call, but the ruling was upheld after replay review.

The loss dropped Baltimore to 56-60 as the Orioles continue trying to remain within striking distance of the American League Wild Card race.

Orioles Strike First

Baltimore gave Baz an early lead in the second inning.

Taveras reached base and eventually scored when Coby Mayo lined an RBI single into center field, putting the Orioles ahead 1-0.

With Baz cruising, that run appeared for much of the night like it might be enough.

The Orioles had chances to extend the lead, however, and could not capitalize. Their biggest missed opportunity came when they loaded the bases against Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi but failed to push another run across.

Against a Texas pitching staff that gave Baltimore very little room for error, those missed opportunities eventually became costly.

Baz Dominates Texas

Baz deserved considerably more offensive support.

The right-hander controlled Texas through the first five innings and allowed only three hits over his eight innings of work. He finished with nine strikeouts and just one walk while completing all eight innings for Baltimore.

It was the first complete game of Baz’s career.

Texas did virtually nothing against him outside of one swing.

After Elias Díaz reached in the sixth, Pederson drove a Baz pitch over the right-field wall for his 21st home run of the season. The two-run shot flipped Baltimore’s 1-0 advantage into a 2-1 Rangers lead.

That was it.

Baz recovered and did not allow Texas to add another run, giving the Orioles every opportunity to come back.

They could not take advantage.

Eovaldi and Rangers Bullpen Silence Baltimore

Nathan Eovaldi held Baltimore to one run over 5 1/3 innings before Texas turned the game over to its bullpen. Tyler Alexander ultimately earned the victory in relief.

The Orioles managed baserunners but continually struggled to produce the hit needed to turn scoring opportunities into runs.

That problem has become increasingly frustrating because Baltimore continues receiving competitive outings from its starting rotation.

Friday was perhaps the clearest example.

Allowing two runs should put a team in position to win virtually every night. Allowing two runs while getting eight innings from the starter should make a victory even more attainable.

Instead, Baltimore entered the ninth still trailing 2-1.

Franklin Gets First MLB Hit — And Orioles Nearly Tie It

The Orioles made one final push against Rangers closer Jacob Latz.

Taveras opened the ninth with an infield single. Latz struck out Mayo, bringing Franklin to the plate.

Franklin then delivered a milestone moment, slicing a double down the right-field line for his first Major League hit.

Baltimore aggressively sent Taveras home from first.

Right fielder Brandon Nimmo retrieved the ball and fired toward the infield. Second baseman Nicky Lopez handled the relay and threw home, where catcher Elias Díaz applied the tag as Taveras slid toward the plate.

Taveras was called out.

Baltimore challenged.

After replay review, the call stood.

Instead of a 2-2 game with Franklin in scoring position, Baltimore suddenly had two outs and still trailed by a run.

Latz then struck out Christian Encarnacion-Strand to end the game and record his 22nd save of the season.

It was a brutal ending to an already frustrating night for the Orioles.

One Swing Decides It

Texas finished the game with only three hits and one walk, its fewest hits and walks combined in a victory this season, according to Reuters. Yet the Rangers still found a way to win.

Baltimore did not.

Pederson’s home run represented essentially the entire Texas offense, while the Orioles once again failed to convert enough opportunities.

The Rangers have now won three consecutive games.

Baltimore, meanwhile, opened an important three-game series with exactly the kind of loss the club can least afford in August.

MSB Take

This one hurts.

Shane Baz could not have done much more. He threw eight innings, struck out nine, allowed only three hits and gave up two runs. That performance should result in an Orioles victory.

Baltimore’s pitching gave the offense more than enough opportunity.

The offense did not finish the job.

The Orioles scored in the second inning and then went silent. They had opportunities against Nathan Eovaldi, including a bases-loaded situation, but could never create the separation that Baz deserved.

Then came the ninth.

Christian Franklin picked a pretty incredible moment for his first Major League hit, drilling a double down the right-field line with Baltimore desperately searching for the tying run. Sending Taveras was understandable, and the Rangers needed a tremendous relay to get him at the plate.

Baltimore challenged, but the call stood.

That will be the play everyone remembers, but the Orioles cannot allow the ninth-inning replay to completely overshadow the bigger issue.

They scored one run.

When your starting pitcher throws a three-hitter, the game should not come down to whether a runner is safe or out by inches at home plate in the ninth inning.

Baltimore has to find more offense.

There are still games remaining and the Orioles remain close enough to the Wild Card race to make things interesting, but opportunities are disappearing quickly. Games against teams such as Texas carry additional importance because the Rangers are among the clubs Baltimore is chasing.

Friday night was an opportunity to gain ground.

Instead, one swing from Pederson and another frustrating offensive performance gave Texas the opener.

The Orioles need to respond quickly.

Final: Rangers 2, Orioles 1

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