Orioles Edge Out Phillies in High-Octane Weekend Showdown
Even though it's not October baseball yet, the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies, who have two of the best records in MLB as we enter the summer months, put on an action-packed, thrilling series that drew 133,067 fans to Camden Yards over the course of the weekend. Following their Friday night loss in extra innings in the opener, the Orioles bounced back with two consecutive victories on Saturday and this afternoon on Father's Day, securing the series victory against the Phillies. Manager Brandon Hyde and the Birds had a rocky start to the series when they received word that starting pitcher Kyle Bradish would be placed on the 15-Day IL after being lifted from the game after five innings on Friday night due to a sprained right UCL. The Orioles demonstrated why they belong among the top teams in MLB and are a serious contender for a lengthy postseason run this season, despite the disappointing news for Bradish.
Ranger Suarez of the Phillies and Bradish, along with the Orioles bullpen, would engage in a pitcher's duel in the opening game of the series. With a 2-1 deficit going into the bottom of the eighth inning, Orioles' right fielder Anthony Santander hit a ball off pitcher Matt Strahm into the left field bleachers, tying the score at 2-2 and forcing extra innings. In the top half of the 10th inning, Kyle Schwarber, the designated hitter, singled into right field, allowing Edmundo Sosa to score the go-ahead run and give the Phillies a 3-2 lead once again. The Orioles tied the game in the bottom of the inning when center fielder Cedric Mullins beat catcher Rafael Marchan to the plate and, following a video review, snuck his left hand to touch the plate on a wild pitch by Orion Kerkering that struck off the brick wall behind home plate. Following a 71-minute rain delay, third baseman Alec Bohm's two-run double in the 11th inning, which cleared Austin Hay's head in left field, gave the Phillies a 5-3 lead. They would go on to win the first game of the series.
The highlights of the second game would come from Orioles pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, who pitched seven shutout innings while only walking one batter and giving up two runs in the first two innings. In addition to Rodriguez's outstanding effort, Santander had an exceptional evening, hitting two home runs in the fourth and eighth innings. Pitcher Taijuan Walker would struggle to finish almost six innings for the Phillies, giving up three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four batters. The Orioles proceeded to win the game 6-2 with ease, tying the series and arranging a rubber match for Sunday.
The Phillies' Zack Wheeler and the Orioles' ace Corbin Burnes took the mound for their respective teams in the Father's Day rubber match, which had all the makings of a closely contested matchup. The Orioles, however, would quickly gain a one-sided advantage in the game as their bats continued to get to Wheeler throughout the afternoon. They became the first team this season to record two or more home runs against the right-hander, with Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, Adley Rutschman, and Jordan Westburg all hitting home runs in the 8-3 victory that gave them the series victory over the Phillies. Burnes, who gave up two runs this afternoon and struck out seven in six innings, continues to showcase why general manager Mike Elias and the Orioles decided to trade for the veteran this offseason. Burnes has given up two earned runs or less in 12 of his 15 starts this season. On Monday night, the Phillies will return home to take on the Padres in the first game of their homestand. The Orioles, however, will have tomorrow off before starting an exciting new series in the Bronx on Tuesday night against the AL East-leading New York Yankees.
