Tonight’s game against the Rockies served as the latest chapter in a grueling second half for the Orioles. Dean Kremer left the game after taking a line drive off his throwing arm, Ramón Urías took a pitch off his nose before rolling his ankle, and Craig Kimbrel allowed the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning. At the end of a brutal night, the Orioles fell 7-5 on Saturday night at Coors Field.
Kremer needed only 10 pitches to complete a scoreless first, but he stumbled in the second inning. Brenton Doyle sliced a leadoff double down the left-field line, and Brendan Rodgers laced a ball up the middle for an RBI single.
Kremer struck out Michael Toglia for the first out before walking Nolan Jones. With runners on the corners and two out, Drew Romo worked the count full before extending the lead to three with a double to left.
Kremer danced around a pair of singles in the third, and Baltimore’s offense provided support in the fourth. Gunnar Henderson managed a leadoff single, and Anthony Santander launched his 39th home run with a no doubter to right field.
Santander’s blast briefly turned the momentum, but the positive vibes disappeared in a hurry. Kremer allowed a single to Nolan Jones, and Jordan Beck lined a ball 103 MPH back toward the mound. The ball ricocheted off Kremer and bounced to short. Henderson touched second base for the first out, but the concern immediately turned to Kremer.
The line drive hit Kremer just above his right wrist. The MASN feed immediately showed significant swelling on Kremer’s arm, and the Orioles pulled Kremer from the game. Baltimore announced during the game that Kremer suffered a right forearm contusion, but X-rays were negative.
Keegan Akin warmed up in a hurry and replaced Kremer. He walked the first batter he faced, threw a wild pitch, and allowed a two-run triple to Charlie Blackmon. He bounced back with a pair of strikeouts, but Colorado led 5-2.
The Orioles did not waste any time battling back. Eloy Jiménez started the fifth with his first homer in a Baltimore uniform. Jiménez ripped the ball 110 MPH to dead center to trim the lead to two.
Ramón Urías took first after getting hit by a fastball in the nose. Surprisingly, this was not the play that chased Urías from the game. Jackson Holliday managed an opposite field single, and Adley Rutschman took a two-out walk to load the bases.
The Rockies left right-handed starter Ryan Feltner in the game, and Ryan O’Hearn made them pay. O’Hearn lined a first pitch fastball up the middle for a two-run single, and the Orioles evened the score at five.
Burch Smith and Gregory Soto both delivered scoreless innings to keep the game tied. Cionel Pérez walked a pair of batters in the seventh, but Yennier Cano bailed him out with a strikeout and a ground ball.
The offense failed to claim the lead, and Craig Kimbrel disappointed once again in the eighth inning. Kimbrel allowed a one-out double to Jones, and Beck punched a ball up the middle to plate the go-ahead run. Beck took second on a late throw from Cedric Mullins, easily stole third off of Kimbrel, and scored on a well placed grounder by Romo.
It’s unclear what impact the injuries will have beyond tonight, but Kimbrel added insult to injury with his latest antics. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to watch the 36-year-old struggle in any type of situation. His inability to hold runners continues to be an issue, and he no longer possesses the stuff to justify the shortcomings.
The Orioles needed a complete effort from the bullpen after Kremer exited early. Soto, to his credit, recorded his eighth consecutive scoreless appearance, but the Birds lost with Kimbrel again tonight.
Baltimore’s offense battled back from a pair of three-run deficits, but the Orioles never led. Mullins walked, and Henderson reached on a hit by a pitch in the ninth, but Rutschman struck out to end the game. Rutschman and Henderson combined to go 1-for-8 with 0 RBIs.
Urías left the game in the seventh inning. Ezequiel Tovar stole third, and Urías rolled his ankle fielding Rutschman’s throw on the play. Urías went down immediately and appeared to be in significant pain. The former waiver claim had served as a pleasant surprise and a much needed contributor at the plate over the last month.
The Yankees dropped an early game to St. Louis, but Baltimore failed to gain ground. They will look to secure a series victory tomorrow at 3:10. Zach Eflin could start after spending the minimum amount of time on the injured list.
