The Orioles turned to Kyle Bradish to salvage a six-game road trip and the 26-year-old right-hander delivered one of his finer performances.
Bradish allowed three runs and six hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk across five innings in a 6-3 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 8. He allowed all three runs in a 32-pitch first inning.
The Orioles finished 3-3 against the San Francisco Giants and Brewers and return home to play the struggling Kansas City Royals (18-44) this weekend. Baltimore is 38-24 and in second place in the American League East, 6.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays (46-19).
Bradish improved to 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 11 starts this season.
“I’ve felt like I’ve thrown the ball well for the past month, but just, call it a bounce back, I was able to strike out some more guys,” Bradish told reporters after the game. “Still got to work on putting guys away in four pitches, but yeah, big confidence boost right there.”
Last year, Bradish started the season at Triple-A Norfolk, going 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA (two earned runs in 15.0 innings) in three starts with the team. He was named the International League Pitcher of the Week for April 11-17 after going 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA (one earned run in nine innings) in two starts.
The Orioles recalled Bradish from Norfolk on April 29 and he made his MLB debut later that day against the Boston Red Sox. However, Bradish was placed on the 15-day injured list (right shoulder inflammation) on June 24.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-hander went 3-3 with a 3.28 ERA in his final 13 starts after being reinstated from the IL on July 29.
Now, Bradish has shown he can be a viable part of the rotation. He got the Orioles headed in the right direction for the upcoming homestand.
“We never talk about stuff as an issue, it’s all about being able to command it and not walking guys, not leadoff walks, not two-out walks,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “Being able to pitch knees and below and to be able to punch guys out, not have 3-2 counts for every hitter. Did a much better job after that first inning.”
Henderson Delivers … Again
Gunnar Henderson has a penchant for delivering a big hit.
He hit a pivotal two-run homer in the eighth inning that sparked the 6-3 victory against the Brewers at American Family Field on June 8.
On June 3, Henderson hit a solo home run in the seventh inning off Giants ace Logan Webb that gave the Orioles a 3-2 victory.
“That’s what you dream of as a kid is being in those situations and coming through,” Henderson said after the game against Milwaukee. “Just learning how to go through it and how, I guess, go to work against the pitcher in that situation.”
Henderson had dealt with lower back soreness that cropped up on June 3 in San Francisco, but he was able to get back in the lineup four days later.
The rookie is having some ups and downs as a major leaguer, but he appears to be getting better each week. Henderson is batting .206/.332/.400 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs in 54 games this year.
He should be a viable Rookie of the Year candidate by the end of the season.
“When you try to do too much, especially in high-leverage situations, it usually doesn’t go your way,” Henderson said. “So, just try to take a deep breath and be in the moment and try not to do too much and just try to get the job done.”
Hicks Fits In
Aaron Hicks was expected to be more of a stopgap in the outfield until Cedric Mullins returned from a groin injury.
However, Hicks is making a strong argument to be a mainstay in the lineup.
He is batting .368/.478/.632 with a homer, three RBIs and four walks in seven games with the Orioles. Hicks provides a valuable veteran presence to the lineup and is a patient hitter.
Getting out of the bright lights of New York has rejuvenated Hicks, who has also grown a beard — something that wasn’t allowed in the Yankees clubhouse.
“I can just go play,” Hicks said. “I’ve played pretty much every game since I’ve been here. I felt kind of this year I was put in a role [in New York]. It’s tough when you’re playing a role, you never really know when you’re going to play. It’s hard to get into a rhythm, and I’m more of a rhythm hitter.”
The Orioles signed Hicks on May 30 after he was released by the Yankees, who are still paying most of his salary.
Hicks, 33, appeared in 28 games with the New York Yankees this season, making 15 starts in left field and five in center field. He struggled to find consistency and batted .188/.263/.261 (13-for-69) with two doubles, one home run, nine runs scored, five RBIs and seven walks.
Hicks is performing much better with his new club.
“There are some guys around the league right now where some change of scenery has helped,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “I think that sometimes you just need a little bit of fresh air and a little change of uniform and maybe it energizes you a little bit. Hopefully, that happens with Aaron.”
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