Yennier Cano left his seat in the Orioles’ dugout after the bottom of the third inning and began his stroll to the home bullpen. He’s already said his goodbyes to Bryan Baker, Gregory Soto and Seranthony Domínguez. Just part of the business. And it creates major complications for those left standing, and walking, who want to keep winning.
Rookie Brandon Young, recalled today as the 27th man in Game 2, hadn’t completed the fifth inning in six of his seven starts. Interim manager Tony Mansolino probably spent part of his afternoon introducing himself to his new relievers and wondering how he’d piece together nine frames. And whether everyone in the room was ready for the possibility of high-leverage work.
Young retired the side in order in the fifth and earned the chance to keep going, getting through the sixth and leaving with the score tied and a quality start on his resume. That was one worry put to bed.
Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman hit back-to-back doubles off Jeff Hoffman in the eighth and Corbin Martin earned his first career save in the Orioles’ 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 14,929 at Camden Yards. The bullpen logged three scoreless innings, and the Orioles won their fifth game in a row and sixth out of seven.
Oh, these silly sellers.
The Orioles (50-58) swept consecutive doubleheaders in the same season for the first time since 2004. They also swept a doubleheader from the Dodgers in April 2013 and the Pirates in May 2014.
Martin, who picked up his first major league win last night since his debut in 2019, hit Ernie Clement and walked Tyler Heineman with no outs. Pitching coach Drew French brought a towel to the mound so Martin could wipe the sweat from his arms. A bunt moved up the runners, but Lukes struck out looking and Bo Bichette went down swinging at a high fastball that wasn't close to the zone.
Keegan Akin replaced Young, his first appearance since June 30, and the Orioles turned a 4-6-3 double play after two batters reached. Addison Barger doubled off Andrew Kittredge with one out in the eighth, pinch-hitter Joey Loperfido walked and Will Wagner grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.
Henderson’s double off the out-of-town scoreboard in right was clocked at 113.9 mph. He scored when Rutschman’s fly ball eluded Nathan Lukes, who made a leaping attempt.
The Orioles had two Triple-A relievers nearby at Double-A Chesapeake, right-handers Elvin Rodríguez and Houston Roth. Rodriguez was recalled and Roth had his contract selected. Yaramil Hiraldo was optioned to the Baysox.
Roth, a 29th round draft pick in 2019 draft out of the University of Mississippi, registered a combined 2.21 ERA in 24 appearances with Norfolk and Chesapeake. Rodríguez, selected on waivers from the Brewers July 16, brought 14 games of major league experience over parts of three seasons and allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings with the Tides.
Other players were sent to Bowie just in case more moves are coming – outfielder Jordyn Adams, infielders Terrin Vavra and TT Bowens, and catcher David Bañuelos. Right-hander Ryan Long, infielder Carter Young and outfielder Reed Trimble moved up to Norfolk. It’s sheer bedlam.
Traffic was heavy for Young, who retired the first two batters in the first inning and loaded the bases on a walk, infield hit and walk. He struck out Wagner on a 95.8 mph fastball to concluded a seven-pitch at-bat after falling behind 3-1.
The Blue Jays opened the second inning with singles by Ernie Clement and Tyler Heineman. They advanced on a sacrifice and Clement scored on Nathan Lukes’ broken-bat ground ball, with third baseman Ramón Urías making an impressive play to charge it and get the out. Young struck out Bo Bichette on a 96.7 mph fastball to limit damage.
Back-to-back one-out singles in the fourth and Myles Straw’s fielder’s choice grounder gave Toronto a 2-0 lead in the fourth, but Young retired seven of his last eight batters. Davis Schneider led off the sixth with an infield single but Wagner lined to Coby Mayo for a double play. Mayo had just received a visit from Mansolino and an athletic trainer after stretching for Gunnar Henderson’s throw and twisting his leg.
Colton Cowser pinch-hit for Mayo in the seventh with Domínguez making his Blue Jays debut. Domínguez hit Dylan Carlson with one out, and a stolen base put the go-ahead run in scoring position, but Carlson broke too soon for third base and was tagged going back to second. Domínguez struck out two batters.
Young allowed two runs and six hits in six innings, with two walks and six strikeouts. He threw 86 pitches, 61 for strikes, and his timing couldn’t have been much better.
Ryan O’Hearn’s first triple of the season, on a ball that took a wicked bounce off the angled portion of the left field wall near the foul pole and rolled toward the other angle at the splash zone, scored Ramón Laureano in the fourth inning. Laureano reached on his second single against left-hander Eric Lauer. O’Hearn scored the tying run on Ramón Urías’ ground ball.
The Orioles showed Domínguez on the video board before the top of the sixth inning and he saluted fans as they applauded him. He hesitated at first, as if unsure how to react.
Imagine how his former teammates feel with each trade.
* Ryan Mountcastle hit a three-run homer off Zach Plesac on his rehab assignment with Norfolk and should return to the Orioles next week, perhaps in Philadelphia. He’s eligible for reinstatement from the 60-day injured list on Sunday.
Cade Povich went 4 2/3 innings and allowed seven hits and five runs (four earned) with no walks, three strikeouts and a home run. He threw 86, 54 for strikes.
Kyle Bradish made his second rehab start and first with Chesapeake, and he allowed one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He walked none, struck out two and threw 24 of 38 pitches for strikes.
Cameron Foster made his first appearance since coming to the organization in the Soto trade and tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings with a hit and walk.