Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman has carried the lineup for the past week.
The 2023 All-Star is the third Oriole to deliver home runs in three straight games this season, joining Ryan O’Hearn and Gunnar Henderson.
In addition, Rutschman is the first Orioles player with four homers in a three-game span since Anthony Santander in September 2022.
“I think we take every game just kind of pitch-by-pitch and try to really compartmentalize stuff,” Rutschman said. “I guess that’s a result of guys just continuing to try to get better, but I think we’re focused on the long-term picture and getting where we want to be. But I think that is a cool testament to our team.”
On May 15, Rutschman hit a walk-off two-run home run in the ninth inning of a 3-2 victory against Toronto, which salvaged a two-game split. It was his second career walk-off home run, joining April 13, 2023, against Oakland.
It was also the first walk-off home run by an Oriole when trailing since Rio Ruiz on Aug. 11, 2019 against Houston.
The Orioles have not been swept in the regular season series since Rutschman was called up on May 21, 2022. The win against Toronto extended their streak of not being swept to 105 consecutive regular-season series of at least two decisions, tying the 1903-1905 New York Giants for the third-longest streak in MLB history.
The Orioles have not dropped a series against an AL East opponent in 17 consecutive series, the longest such streak in team history since divisions were introduced in 1969, per the Elias Sports Bureau.
“It feels great to win,” Rutschman said. “Our guys are really resilient. They have been all year. I think it’s always the next guy up and we never think we’re out of it. I was really proud of everyone today. I think it’s just a testament to our team just staying in it.”
The Orioles open a three-game series with the AL-Wets leading Mariners on May 17. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has not officially named starters for those games. However, Seattle will start Bryce Miller (3-3, 2.66 ERA) on Friday, Luis Castillo (4-5, 3.31 ERA) on Saturday and George Kirby (4-3, 3.58 ERA) in the finale.
Rest Of Lineup Scuffling
With the exception of Rutschman, Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson, the rest of the Orioles’ lineup, most notably the outfielders, are struggling to put hits on the board.
The Orioles have scored 49 runs in the last 13 games, averaging 3.8 runs and slashing .211/.277/.392 during that stretch. In addition, the Orioles are 8-for-48 (.167) with runners in scoring position in their last seven games.
The outfield has been particularly worrisome.
Center fielder Cedric Mullins is mired in a 5-for-63 slump. Left fielder Colton Cowser has eight hits in his past 56 at-bats. Anthony Santander has nine hits in his last 30 at-bats but is batting .220 for the season. Austin Hays boosted his average to .130 with a pinch-hit double against the Blue Jays on May 15.
Hyde gave Mullins some time off because he felt that he was pressing too hard at the plate.
“I’d like for him to get going offensively and when Ced’s being Ced, our lineup completely changes,” Hyde said. “I know his process is good, I know he’s working the right way. He’s out here hitting early on the field [on May 13]. I thought the work was really good. I’m hoping that he can get going. But the defense is great. That is definitely a big plus.”
The Orioles promoted Kyle Stowers this week to generate some offense. Stowers was batting .240/.315/.541 with 11 doubles, 11 home runs, 32 RBIs, 13 walks and 44 strikeouts in 165 plate appearances with Norfolk.
Hyde has to find ways to get Stowers at-bats.
“It’s day-to-day,” Hyde said. “I don’t know that, honestly. Right now we’ve got four other outfielders plus [Ryan] O’Hearn. It’s a good problem to have that we have a lot of guys playing really well.”
In a corresponding move, the Orioles optioned Heston Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk. He went 2-for-14 with six strikeouts with the Orioles.
Bullpen Rises To Occasion
The Orioles’ bullpen has been largely exceptional this season and threw five scoreless innings in the series finale against Toronto.
Jacob Webb, Cionel Pérez, Mike Baumann and Danny Coulombe contained the Blue Jays lineup before the Orioles won the game on Adley Rutshcman’s two-run homer in the ninth.
Overall, the Orioles have a 2.13 ERA, allowing 37 runs with a .181 average against and .551 OPS in the last 14 games.
Hyde has gone to closer by committee since Craig Kimbrel’s struggles hit. Kimbrel had a stretch in which he failed to convert four of five save opportunities.
However, Kimbrel has pitched better of late and managed three consecutive scoreless outings since being removed from the closer’s role, twice pitching in the seventh and once in the 11th.
Bradish Grinds Through
Right-hander Kyle Bradish has been effective since returning from the injured list.
He put in hard work in the series finale against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts across four innings.
“They did a good job fouling a lot of good pitches off,” Bradish said. “I have to keep working on working deeper in the game and getting early contact and early outs.”
Bradish has yet to earn a decision in three starts, but he has a 2.63 ERA and the Orioles have won each of those games.
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