Happy Monday, Camden Chatters! The weekend turned out all right after all, wouldn’t you say? After dropping the first two games of their series with the Guardians, the Orioles stormed back to take the final two and split the series. I’d sure rather see a series win, but after the way it started, a series split against the AL’s #1 team isn’t bad at all.
Corbin Burnes had a rare bad day in his start yesterday but the offense picked him up in a big way. They smashed 15 hits, including multi-hit days from Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Adley Rutschman, Colton Cowser, and Eloy Jiménez. Henderson hit his first home run since July 14th and Holliday hit his second since his recall. Just a lot of fun all around. You can get the full details in Andrea SK’s write-up.
The bad news is that the Yankees won again, meaning they remain in a tie with the Orioles atop the AL East. Both teams are off today, then the Orioles start a three-game series in Toronto. The Yankees remain at home for a series with the Angels.
It’s been just a few games with the newest Orioles, but so far a few have settled in nicely. Eloy Jiménez’s former team is mired in a 20-game losing streak so it’s no surprise that he is clearly delighted to be here. He doubled as part of a three-hit day and celebrated at second base with a huge grin. In his postgame interview, he gushed over the talent on the team before adorably waving and saying, “Hi Mom!”
In three games with the Orioles, Jiménez has gone 5-for-9. He was having a terrible season with the White Sox before he was traded. Does it mean anything? Only time will tell. He has had success and was an above-average hitter as recently as last season. And he’s only 27 years old. If he’s healthy and happy and had a change of scenery to a team that has expectations, maybe he could actually be a positive contributor.
I’m not trying to get ahead of myself. The trade was a bit mystifying when it happened. But I want to believe.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have two Orioles birthday buddies, both pitchers. John Wasdin turns 52 years old today. Wasdin had a 12-season career that included 26 games with the Orioles in 2001. And Nelson Briles was born on this day in 1943. Briles pitched in relief for the Orioles in 1977 and ‘78. He passed away in 2005.
On this day in 1994, Ben McDonald pitched a one-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers. He did walk four. The Orioles won the game, 4-0, and Chris Hoiles hit his 29th home run.
In 1996, the Orioles scored 11 runs in innings six through eight in a game against Cleveland. That ran the score to 13-3, but Arthur Rhodes, Garrett Stephenson, and Randy Myers combined to give up six runs in the bottom of the ninth. The Orioles won the game 13-10. All’s well that ends well? Chris Hoiles and Bobby Bonilla homered.
In 2019, Jonathan Villar hit for the cycle but didn’t realize it until the third-base coach told him. The Orioles were losing to the Yankees, 9-6.
In 2021, the Orioles claimed Jorge Mateo on waivers from the San Diego Padres. That ended up being a pretty good move!
And one year ago today, the Orioles defeated the Mets, 7-3. Kyle Gibson pitched seven innings with nine strikeouts. Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander homered and Adley Rutschman had two hits from the leadoff spot.
