Orioles Waste Strong Shane Baz Start in 3-1 Loss to Yankees
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles received one of Shane Baz’s best starts of the season Tuesday night, but the offense could not take advantage as the New York Yankees earned a 3-1 victory at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Baltimore managed only four hits, went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight runners in the opener of the three-game American League East series. The loss dropped the Orioles to 61-65 and extended their losing streak to two games after they had won three straight against the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
Trent Grisham accounted for all three New York runs, homering in the third inning before delivering the decisive two-run single in the seventh. The Yankees needed only five hits to secure the victory.
Baz Gives Orioles a Chance
The final pitching line does not completely show how effective Baz was.
The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits over 6 1/3 innings while striking out a season-high 10. He kept the Yankees largely quiet throughout the night and allowed only two hits through the first six innings.
Baz opened the game by striking out all three Yankees he faced in the first inning, using three different pitches to record the strikeouts. New York struggled to generate consistent contact against him from there.
His lone mistake through six innings came against Grisham in the third.
Grisham connected for his 17th home run of the season, giving New York a 1-0 lead. It was the first of two major swings from the Yankees center fielder on a night when virtually all of New York’s offense came through him.
Mayo Answers With Another Home Run
Baltimore responded against Yankees starter Carlos Rodón.
Coby Mayo continued his recent power surge by hitting a solo home run, tying the game at 1-1. It was Mayo’s 17th homer of the season and his second home run in as many games.
Rodón was making his first major league appearance since June 28 after returning from the injured list. The left-hander worked four innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four and walking two over 66 pitches.
The Orioles had opportunities to do more damage against Rodón and the Yankees bullpen, but the big hit never arrived.
That ultimately became the story of the game.
Seventh Inning Turns the Game
Baz carried the 1-1 tie into the seventh before New York finally created another scoring opportunity.
After a pair of Yankees reached base, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz went to left-hander Josh Walker with one out.
Walker walked pinch hitter Paul Goldschmidt to load the bases before striking out Amed Rosario, putting Baltimore one out away from escaping the inning.
Grisham had other plans.
After falling behind in the count, Grisham lined a 2-2 pitch into center field for a two-run single, scoring both inherited runners and putting New York ahead 3-1.
Those runs were charged to Baz, leaving him with a somewhat misleading three-run pitching line after he had controlled New York for most of the evening.
It was also the difference in the game.
Orioles Cannot Cash In Late
Baltimore still had chances against the Yankees bullpen.
The Orioles put runners aboard late, including another opportunity in the eighth inning, but New York repeatedly escaped without allowing Baltimore to close the gap.
Baltimore finished 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Mayo’s home run was also the club’s only extra-base hit.
Yerry De Los Santos earned the victory after throwing two scoreless innings in relief of Rodón. The Yankees bullpen combined for five shutout innings, and David Bednar worked the ninth to record his 28th save of the season.
For Baltimore, the inability to capitalize was especially frustrating considering how little offense New York produced. The Yankees struck out 14 times and finished with only five hits, but Grisham made his opportunities count.
Wild-Card Race Remains Tight
The loss came at an important point in Baltimore’s postseason push.
The Orioles entered Tuesday tied with the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers for the final American League wild-card position. After the defeat, Baltimore fell to 61-65 with just over a month remaining in the regular season.
That makes games like Tuesday’s particularly costly.
Baltimore had just completed an encouraging four-game series in Tampa Bay, winning three of four against the Rays and showing signs that it could make a serious late-season push.
The Orioles now have to avoid allowing one quiet offensive night to turn into another extended skid.
MSB Take
This was a difficult game to lose because the Orioles received exactly the type of starting pitching they need during a playoff chase.
Baz was excellent.
Ten strikeouts, only four hits allowed and very little hard damage should normally put a team in position to win. The box score says three runs were charged to him, but Baltimore was one strike away from getting through the seventh without either inherited runner scoring.
The bigger issue was the offense.
The Orioles had eight runners left on base and went hitless in six chances with runners in scoring position. Mayo provided the only run with another impressive home run, but Baltimore could not string together enough quality at-bats against a Yankees pitching staff that was certainly beatable Tuesday night.
When the standings are this tight, there are going to be nights when a club has to win 2-1 or 3-2.
Tuesday felt like one of those nights.
Instead, Grisham delivered when New York needed him, and the Orioles did not.
Baltimore will have an opportunity to respond quickly Wednesday night at Camden Yards. Chris Bassitt is expected to start for the Orioles against Yankees right-hander Will Warren in the second game of the three-game series.
