Grueling stretch comes to end with O's playing .600 ball during the span

It ended with a blowout loss 11-2 last night, but for the most part the Orioles did a nice job through their extremely demanding stretch of 30 games over 31 days that ended on Sunday Night Baseball.

The team today will have its first day off since June 17 and just its second since May 30.

They played .600 ball during this run, going 18-12. When the stretch began, they were two games out of first place. As it ended, they had gained those two games back and were actually percentage points ahead of the Yankees at .631 to .628.

One reason they did well in this stretch, said veteran Ryan O’Hearn, was manager Brandon Hyde. O’Hearn said his skipper has good feel for when to push his players but also went to pull back a bit perhaps with less pregame work during a difficult stretch like the one that just ended.

“Definitely. As far as early work, batting practice, stuff like that, we’ve had many times when we kind of stepped back and had a show and go (a day with less pregame work). You know kind of taking it easy during the day and when it’s time to play the game you play the game. I think Hyde has a really good feel when it comes to that. He understands guys are grinding with tough games and tough teams and no off-days.

“Everyone knew this stretch was going to be challenging. And I’m proud of our guys with how we’ve gone through that and definitely will enjoy some off-days coming up. At the same time the goal remains the same.”

Said Hyde after the stretch ended last night: “Disappointed in this one, but I thought we played outstanding. We had a little bit of a hiccup there, about five days where we didn’t play our best baseball, ran into some really good starters. But going into the month, we knew this was going to be difficult and we’ve got to keep our foot on the gas. But the way our guys grinding through that month, I’m really proud of those guys.”

O’Hearn said Hyde has always been good about seeking player input about anything going on with the clubhouse.

“Yeah. I think (catcher James) McCann does a really good job of communication to Hyde and letting him know, ‘The boys could use a show and go.’ But I think it’s already built in. Hyde has a really good feel and understands his players. He understands when we need to take a breather or it’s time to get extra work, whatever it may be. He’s done a good job of navigating this stretch and he’s been really good at that since I have come over here. It is what I’ve come to expect.”

All-Star bound: While we wait to find out which Orioles players will be going to the All-Star game on July 16 in Texas, one member of the O’s organization knows he is going to be part of the American League team.

Head athletic trainer Brian Ebel will be one of the trainers for the AL roster. He is in his 40^th year in the Baltimore organization and has been head trainer since 2018.

“It’s a great honor,” Ebel said Sunday in the O’s clubhouse. “Anytime you are asked by MLB and PBats (professional baseball athletic trainers society) to be involved in something like that, it’s a big honor. I did the game in 2007 in San Francisco and that was a very enjoyable time. Really honored to be asked to do it again for this year’s game.”

Ebel and the O’s trainers worked hard the last month especially to help the clubhouse get through the demanding stretch of games.

“Guys have just been great at getting their work in," he said. "One of the things we like to do here is make sure people take care of the little things before they turn into something big. We’ve been beat up a little bit, but guys have done a great job getting ready for the game while managing their workload. Our departments – strength and conditioning, sports med, pitching and hitting departments – have done a good job of managing their volume. Great group to work with and hopefully a bunch of them will be joining me for the game.”

Gunnar will be in the Home Run Derby: Adley Rutschman had a strong showing early last year in the All-Star Home Run Derby and as of last night, we now know his teammate Gunnar Henderson will take part this year.

“Yeah, it is definitely something I was watching as a kid growing up," said Henderson after last night's game. "Just obviously something that seemed like it would be pretty cool to have that opportunity. Pretty special. Looking forward to it."

He might seek some advice, he said, from Rutschman.

“Yeah, I’m going to see what he’s got. I did see something where they changed the format this year, so that will be interesting. But yeah, will pick his brain a little bit," said Henderson, who turned 23 on Saturday.