Kyle Bradish was dazzling in his return to the Orioles’ starting rotation.
Dean Kremer offered more glimpses of his potential after some struggles in his earlier starts.
One day after Kremer took part in a 1-0 win against the Nationals on April 18, Bradish made a triumphant return the following night as part of a 4-0 victory.
Those two performances were a boost to the pitching staff, which has thrown 26 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to the second inning on April 16 in Chicago.
Bradish admitted he picked up some valuable tips throwing after Kremer
“Going behind him, I like to be out there and watch the game,” Bradish said. “I know what he is trying to do, and it helps me prepare for the next outing. Seeing him having success, he’s a really good competitor, so it was awesome to see him have that success.”
Bradish allowed five hits with six strikeouts and just one walk in six innings against the Nationals. It was his first appearance since taking a hard liner off his foot against Texas on April 3. He made a rehab start at Double-A Bowie on April 14, allowing three runs in five innings.
With Bradish’s return and performance and Cole Irvin’s demotion to Triple-A Norfolk, manager Brandon Hyde will likely have a rotation consisting of Bradish, Kremer, Kyle Gibson, Grayson Rodriguez and Tyler Wells for the foreseeable future.
Kremer gave Hyde and himself a boost of confidence with his latest performance.
Kremer entered his start against the Nationals with a 9.49 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in his first three starts. Kremer buckled down and held Washington scoreless, allowing four hits and six strikeouts and no walks in 6.2 innings. He got 15 swings and misses while relying heavily on his fastball, which averaged 95.7 mph.
“Of course there are frustrations anytime you come out on the bottom side and you see your ERA blow up,” Kremer said about his slow start. “It kind of hurts, but not to lose faith in where you’re going.”
Bullpen Rising To Occasion
The additions of right-hander Yennier Canó and lefty Danny Coulombe have been a recent boost to the Orioles’ bullpen, which has been plenty busy during the early part of the season.
Canó, who was acquired from the Twins in the Jorge López trade last season, was promoted with Keegan Akin away on paternity leave and Cole Irvin demoted, but he has shown some staying power. Canó has not given up a run, hit or walk in four appearances (4.1 innings). He has struck out four of the 12 batters he has faced and has been a pleasant surprise for manager Brandon Hyde, who acknowledged Canó will get more opportunities.
“He’s throwing bowling balls up there, and so I’m going to take my chances,” the skipper said.
The Orioles acquired Coulombe from the Twins in exchange for cash on March 27. The lefty has not wasted any time endearing himself to his teammates. He has allowed just one and three hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks in seven innings of work. He carries a 1.29 ERA and 0.43 WHIP entering this weekend’s series against Detroit.
He likes his new environment.
“There is so much talent in this clubhouse and on the pitching side it’s been fun to see how these guys work,” said Coulombe, who is pitching his ninth major league season. “These pitchers have an idea of what they want to do. That is fun to see. It is still early, and I am still trying to get to know people, but it has been fun so far.”
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