Orioles Drop Game 2 of Beltway Series 3-4 in Old School Grandpa Baseball

Tomoyuki “Sugie” Sugano - The Orioles’ Stopper

Orioles fans held their breath during the first inning of today’s game.  After a first inning with only Adley Rutschman finding grass with a hit or to reach base at all. Tomoyuki Sugano allows a leadoff homer on a 3-1 count to one of the hottest hitters in baseball, James Wood.  Then later gives up a homer to a cold hitter in Josh Bell - it felt like another bad night of watching baseball.

But today there was a bit of fire from a clubhouse that desperately needs to come together to start winning some series.  Especially from the Japanese veteran on the mound starting his 5th MLB game.

Sugano flipped the script and provided a long start for a team that desperately needed one.  Sugano was superb, and pitched 6 scoreless innings of 3 hit baseball, after a 3 run first inning. Sugano mixed all 6 of his pitches at least 10% of the time.  He really showcased what an artist he is, painting the zone.  He threw 94 pitches of 3 run ball over 7 innings.

His start was especially impressive given the announcers could not stop talking about how they disagreed with the home plate umpires strike zone on both sides throughout the day.  His stuff was sweet, and the 35 year old vet is looking like a piece that Elias and Co could hang their hat on at the end of the year.

Gregory Soto Can’t Hold Game, Tough Luck With Blue

His quality start never had a shot for a W, but allowed the Orioles to only need to use Gregory Soto in relief.  Soto allowed a single to Alex Call on a 2-1 count to the 9 hitter.  Unfortunately Soto fell victim to a really tough ball call on what probably should’ve been strike three on James Wood.  Wood walked, Nathaniel Lowe got the runner over to second on a close double play try, and an excellent defensive effort by Ramon Urias.  The Nationals got a sacrifice fly of their own from Luis García Jr. and the Orioles couldn’t pull out a W.

Orioles Hitters Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holiday, Jordan Westburg Stay Disciplined, Can’t Cash In

Overall at the plate the team was disciplined.  They clearly came in with a gameplan to work counts.  In the first inning they made starter Trevor Williams throw 19 pitches for 3 outs.  They continued to work counts to run the starter out of the game after five innings of work with 99 pitches.  They only scored one run off the starter, but they continued to get to the next guy in order to give him opportunities.  Unfortunately they had 12 chances with runners in scoring position and could only cash in 1 time. Adley Rutschman had a clutch 2 out hit from the left side in the third inning to drive in Jackson Holiday, and move Ramon Urias to third.

The team had great performances at the plate.  Adley Rutschman went 2-4 with a walk and an RBI.  He took 25 pitches over 5 plate appearances.  Jordan Westburg had aggressive at bats which led to hard hit balls in play.  He couldn’t get a hit until lined an oppo triple off former All Star closer for the Orioles Jorge López.  Westy showed the wheels, and is a reminder the Orioles best right handed hitter from a year ago is still finding his way at the plate after injury.

Jackson Holiday had an impact performance at the plate. Getting on base his first 3 at bats with 2 singles, a 4 pitch walk, and a run. Tyler O’Neill had opportunities with runners in scoring position, and although he couldn’t get birds to fly home - he did have a key sacrifice fly to bring in Cedric Mullins in the seventh inning.  Ramon Urias had a key sacrifice fly to tie the game at 3 in the eighth inning.

The Orioles had two chances with a runner on second in the ninth with Gunnar Henderson reaching on a hard infield hit, and Ryan Mountcastle getting a hard hit one out single.  Tyler O’Neill struck out, and Heston Kjerstad popped out.

Overall the performance is a reminder that baseball is a long season, and usually things even out.  The right handed hitting needs to come along, and there were signs of life in this one.  But it's hard to not be nostalgic of former fan favorites and veterans leaders Austin Hays, and Anthony Santander, especially when the righty bats that have replaced them have not performed.

Next Up: Os Look to Avoid the Sweep in Beltway Series - Cade Povich vs MacKenzie Gore

The Orioles are a bit back on track with a solid performance on both sides of the diamond, but they desperately need a win.  Cade Povich has not been consistent enough to put together good starts, but the Orioles will need him to come up big to take one game of the Beltway Series.  Expect the deep bullpen to be called at early signs of a blowout.  After only using two pitchers yesterday the skipper may look to use a bit more dry powder to take one in DC.

On the other side, MacKenzie Gore, one of the crown jewels the Washington Nationals got back from the San Diego Padres in their Juan Soto mega-trade gets the nod.  His four seam is his pitch throwing it over half the time.  He doesn’t have crazy high pitch speed, but his velocity comes from his spin.  He has elite strikeout peripherals, but when he gets hit… hitters find barrels.  Look for the Orioles to build off an encouraging performance against the Washington Nationals.

We broke down the dreaded Orioles performance in game 1 of the Beltway Series here.

Also we previewed the series - we said there could be a sweep, but we’re bit of homers so we got the wrong team.  Hopefully our Orioles 2025 Beltway Series preview comes partially true with the series winner only taking 2.