The Baltimore Orioles ought to have a somewhat rosy outlook after winning again.
And as a bonus, they return home for a Friday night game against the major-league-worst Colorado Rockies.
The Orioles have gone 2-5 since the All-Star break, including three straight losses before winning 4-3 on Thursday afternoon in Cleveland to avoid a four-game series sweep.
Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino called it “an important day” given the circumstances.
“You don’t want to get swept in a four-game series,” he said.
And now it’s a chance for the Rockies, who were off Thursday, to achieve a rare three-game winning streak.
Colorado blanked the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 on Wednesday, marking the team’s first shutout victory in more than a year.
The Rockies have received a recent boost from second baseman Adael Amador, who has gone 5-for-9 in three games since being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. That’s far better than the production the 22-year-old rookie provided during a stint with the big-league club in April and May.
“Just being more comfortable when he comes up here,” interim manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He looks more comfortable in the box. It’s translating. You like to see a guy come up and be ready to play.”
Colorado is also getting solid work from outfielder Mickey Moniak, who has homered in two of the last four games and is batting .423 in July. His defense has been a boost as well.
“Mickey always takes good routes,” Schaeffer said. “His body is in the right position.”
Baltimore’s offense received a boost this week from outfielder Ramon Laureano, who homered three times in the Cleveland series.
The Rockies try to keep the pitching and defense going when they send left-hander Kyle Freeland (2-10, 5.19 ERA) to the mound for the series opener. He has won two of his past four decisions, including a victory over the Minnesota Twins on July 18, when he allowed just one run in six innings. He is 1-6 with a 4.53 ERA in road games.
Freeland, in his ninth season and about to make his 219th career start, has encountered the Orioles just twice. Those outings covered 10 innings and he allowed 10 runs on 18 hits while taking one defeat.
Baltimore will have Dean Kremer (8-7, 4.06 ERA) as its starting pitcher. The right-hander has won his past three decisions, and he is coming off back-to-back seven-inning outings in which he surrendered a total of one run. His stint Saturday at Tampa Bay didn’t result in a decision, as his three walks marked the second most he has issued this season.
Kremer is in position to get his ERA under 4.00 for the first time this season. In his only career appearance vs. Colorado, he gave up four runs in 3 1/3 innings in a no-decision last August in Denver.
Baltimore’s relievers have been busy, with Mansolino counting heavily on Seranthony Dominguez. The right-hander threw a scoreless eighth inning on Thursday.
“(Dominguez) has been the best guy down in the bullpen. I think we can all agree on that,” Mansolino said. “He has been really good for a while minus a couple of outings surrounding the All-Star break.”
Baltimore’s Gregory Soto handled the ninth inning for his first save of the year on Thursday after closer Felix Bautista landed on the injured list because of a sore right shoulder. The Orioles called up right-hander Kade Strowd from Triple-A Norfolk to fill the roster vacancy.
The Orioles are set to start of a seven-game homestand across six days. The Rockies are beginning a six-game road trip.
–Field Level Media
