The Baltimore Orioles didn’t like the result in their most recent game, but certain developments might help set them up for their next series, which begins Friday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels.
Baltimore lost two of three to the Detroit Tigers to begin a six-game homestand. In Thursday night’s 4-1 setback, the hosts collected just four hits, including three singles.
But the Orioles conserved some relief pitching.
“We did not want to use the bullpen once we went down 4-0 to (Tigers ace Tarik) Skubal,” Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino said.
So Dean Kremer’s seven innings of relief were meaningful for the Orioles, who have little margin for error and used three pitchers in total.
The Angels have won three in a row — sweeping the visiting Athletics — and five of their last six as they begin a seven-game road trip.
Los Angeles has received a boost from starter-turned-reliever Reid Detmers. He has posted 11 consecutive scoreless appearances, covering one inning each time.
“I believe when that guy gets back in the starting rotation, he’s going to be a monster,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He has learned a lot.”
The Angels will use right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (3-7, 5.61 ERA) as their starting pitcher Friday. He’s 0-2 with an 8.15 ERA in his last four starts.
On May 10, Kochanowicz held the Orioles to one run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings despite issuing four walks to pick up the victory. That’s the only time he has faced Baltimore in his career.
For the season, Kochanowicz has allowed 11 home runs in 67 1/3 innings.
Right-hander Charlie Morton (2-7, 6.59) gets the call for the Orioles. He had tossed consecutive strong outings before Saturday’s 2 1/3-inning road stint when he gave up four runs on six hits and four walks to the Athletics. The walks indicate control trouble, which plagued him at the beginning of the season before he was moved to the bullpen.
Morton is 5-2 with a 3.60 ERA in 13 career games (12 starts) against the Angels. His work includes 63 strikeouts in 65 innings.
The teams met in early May, with the Orioles winning two of three matchups in Los Angeles. Baltimore’s Dylan Carlson had three hits Thursday, including a home run, but didn’t play in the first series vs. the Angels.
The Orioles have continued to adjust their roster. Infielder Emmanuel Rivera cleared waivers this week and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.
Catcher Gary Sanchez could be ready to rejoin the Orioles earlier than expected with a successful injury rehab at Norfolk. He is 8-for-22 with three home runs in seven games.
“He hit the points that we needed and we’ll probably see him here at some point sooner than later,” Mansolino said Thursday.
–Field Level Media
