PHILADELPHIA – The Orioles hadn’t scored in 18 innings and their No. 5 hitter today didn’t produce an extra-base hit or RBI in his first 17 major league plate appearances. The batter behind him began the day with a .213 average and was 2-for-23 since a three-hit game in Baltimore. But post-deadline baseball is meant to provide opportunities with the hope that some wins are attached.
Jeremiah Jackson broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a double down the left field line and Coby Mayo followed with a big-boy three-run homer in a 5-1 victory over the Phillies that prevented a sweep at Citizens Bank Park.
Trevor Rogers had traffic every inning but held the Phillies to one run through the sixth, and the Orioles improved to 52-63 overall and 2-4 on their road trip. They’re off Thursday and host the Athletics over the weekend.
Gunnar Henderson began the fourth with an opposite-field single against left-hander Ranger Suárez and Adley Rutschman beat out a grounder that deflected off Suárez’s glove. Jackson gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead and Mayo padded it with authority, blistering a first-pitch changeup 421 feet to left field at 108.5 mph.
Mayo has four major league home runs and the first three traveled 412 feet at 106.9 mph, 413 feet at 101.7 and 413 feet at 108.1. He does not believe in cheapies.
The waters were choppy for Rogers after he cruised in his two previous outings with one run and five hits over 15 innings. He threw a season-high 104 pitches today and allowed eight hits, walked two batters and struck out six. His ERA held at 1.44.
Trea Turner drew a leadoff walk in the first, Kyle Schwarber grounded into a double play, Bryce Harper singled and Nick Castellanos struck out on a 94.3 mph fastball. Edmundo Sosa singled with two outs in the second and Weston Wilson struck out looking at a four-seamer. Turner tripled with one out in the third after center fielder Dylan Carlson attempted a diving catch, but Rogers struck out Schwarber on a changeup and retired Harper on a ground ball. Harrison Bader reached on an infield single with one out in the fourth and another strikeout followed, this time a 2-2 sinker that froze Otto Kemp.
Grit also can get a pitcher through a start.
The Phillies finally broke through in the fifth on a leadoff walk to Wilson, single by Rafael Marchán – the last two batters in the order – and Turner’s soft single into center. Schwarber struck out again on a changeup, Harper grounded into a force and Henderson made a nice backhand stop and throw to retire Castellanos.
That grit again.
Kemp singled with one out in the sixth and Rogers retired Sosa on a popup to win an 11-pitch battle. Wilson lined a single into center, interim manager Tony Mansolino stuck with Rogers while two relievers warmed, and the switch-hitting Marchán grounded out.
Rogers was 1-6 with a 6.71 ERA and 1.682 WHIP in 11 career starts against the Phillies before today.
The Orioles didn’t put a runner in scoring position last night until two outs in the ninth inning. Colton Cowser doubled today with two outs in the second, moving Rutschman to third, but Carlson flied out. Cowser was 2-for-20 before the at-bat. Carlson went 0-for-4 today and is hitless in his last 28 at-bats.
Alex Jackson doubled with one out in the seventh and scored on Jackson Holliday’s single for a 5-1 lead. Jackson’s first nine hits with the Orioles are for extra bases, a modern day record for any player with a new team, per STATS.
Suárez has 10 starts this season with one earned run allowed or fewer. He exceeded three only twice before today.
With the outcome hinging on the results of a remade bullpen, left-hander Dietrich Enns gave up a leadoff double to Turner in the seventh and struck out Schwarber, Harper and Castellanos. He came back out for the eighth, retired the side in order and struck out two more batters.
Keegan Akin was handed the ninth in his third straight appearance and got a game-ending double play after a walk.
Vidal Bruján became the 57th player to appear in a game for the Orioles this season when he replaced Carlson in center field and singled in the eighth. Carlson moved to right.