A look at Dylan Bundy's outing and more, plus farm notes

Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy was pulled after five innings and 80 pitches last night in a game the Los Angeles Angels would win 7-2. Bundy's four-seam fastball averaged 89.8 mph for the game and that was the lowest of his career.

But remember this is a pitcher that is usually 90 to 92 mph, so this was not well below his norm. There was no concern from the pitcher after the game, but there seemed to be some from his manager.

"In the fifth, we saw the velo drop and a bunch of 87s on the board and a lack of command," said manager Brandon Hyde. "That's why we took him out there. Bring in (Gabriel) Ynoa, who's been stretched out and throwing the ball really well, and just wasn't his day.

"That's why we sent Broc (pitching coach Doug Brocail) out there in the fifth (for a mound visit). (Catcher Austin) Wynns went out there and then Broc goes out there because the velo was down and just making sure he's OK. He said he was OK, but it just didn't look right for us and so that's why we took him out after five."

So some precautionary concern at the least for the right-hander and Hyde added after the game there was no sense that Bundy was injured. The right-hander said the same and that "overall my arm feels great, so I'll just keep chucking it."

Some O's fans and readers here have often expressed concerns about Bundy's velocity, which according to Brooksbaseball.net averaged 92.48 mph in 2017, 92.10 last year and 91.47 this year heading into last night's start

Just a week ago yesterday, Bundy threw his best start of the year and went 7 1/3 scoreless innings on three hits versus the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. In that game he averaged 91.3 mph. So now a week later, is there reason for concern?

Could it be that Bundy just didn't have his best stuff or fastball on a cool day and night? It could, but this time his own manager said "it just didn't look right." Maybe this too shall pass. We'll see with Bundy's next start slated for Thursday night at Cleveland.

Dwight Smith Jr. hit a two-run homer in the first yesterday for the Orioles. It was No. 7 and that ties with him with Trey Mancini for the team lead. Last year with Toronto, Smith hit two homers in 75 plate appearances. This season he hit No. 7 in his 150th plate appearance.

The Orioles have now lost four in a row, 10 of 13 and 14 of the last 19 games. They've scored just six runs the past three games and 11 during the four-game slide. The Orioles' four-game losing streak is their fifth of exactly four games this year. They've not had the streak reach five yet.

The club continues to struggle batting with runners in scoring position. The Orioles began last night hitting .230 with RISP as a team, which was tied for last in the American League. Over the last four games, they are 3-for-23 (.130) with RISP. Over the past 19 games, they are batting .180 (25-for-139).

On the farm: Promoted from Single-A Delmarva to Single-A Frederick on Friday, right-hander Blaine Knight made a strong Carolina League debut yesterday. In Game 1 of a doubleheader for the Keys against Fayetteville, he went six innings, allowing two hits and one run with five strikeouts on 80 pitches. Knight did not get a decision, but is now 3-0 with an ERA of 0.83 and with a 0.55 WHIP over six starts between the two teams.

Frederick swept that doubleheader by 3-2 scores, getting a pair of walk-off wins in the last of the seventh. In the opener, Willy Yahn's single ended the game and in the nightcap a J.C. Escarra sac fly ended it. The Keys are at .500 for the first time all year at 17-17. They are 7-2 this month and 14-10 since their 3-7 start.

Double-A Bowie beat Richmond 3-0. Richard Bleier got the start on his rehab assignment and pitched a scoreless first inning. He got the first inning in case rains came later. They did, but the teams got eight innings in to make it an official game. Marcos Molina got the win allowing one hit over seven innings, while Ryan McKenna hit a two-run homer for the Baysox.

Delmarva won again, beating Hagerstown 3-0 to get to 26-6. Lefty Drew Rom allowed one hit over five frames and is 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA. Rom and two relievers teamed on a four-hitter.

Triple-A Norfolk was rained out at home and will host Buffalo for a doubleheader today.

So last night, O's affiliates went 4-0, allowing a combined four over 31 innings.