After most lopsided loss of year, O's look for series win today

It was a loss that was damaging to the Orioles' playoff hopes, but aren’t they all at this point?

But a 17-4 loss felt every bit the blowout it was. The Orioles were down four runs in the first, seven runs in the fourth, trailed 10-3 after the fifth and needed outfielder Ryan McKenna to pitch to record the last out in the top of the ninth.

It was bad and then it got worse.

It was the Orioles most lopsided loss of 2022.

But right-hander Jordan Lyles put it in perspective after he allowed a first-inning grand slam and his final line showed eight runs allowed over 3 2/3 innings.

“Today I toed the runner, I didn’t have my best stuff. I wasn’t good. They got out to an early lead and that was the ball game. Unfortunately, we had to use a lot of pitchers after me. But it only counts for one loss and we are going to try and get a series (Sunday). (On Sunday) if we win, we take the series and won’t think about all the runs we gave up tonight. It was a bad loss, but it only counts for one,” Lyles said after the O’s allowed season highs in runs and hits.

Outfielder Cedric Mullins, who hit his 14^th homer, said of course the O’s could still make the playoffs.

“Until they say we are unable to do so regardless of if we win out, then yeah.

“This is one of those games you have to flush. We had a battle with them the first day. They came out swinging it. It’s up to us to keep that mental thought to stay competitive for tomorrow,” said Mullins.

Lyles was unable to pitch Monday as planned due to a stomach virus. Pitching on nine days rest yesterday, his velocity was off and so were all his pitches. He said he had challenges with such a long layoff.

“Just getting in the strike zone and then the breaking balls weren’t there for me. Changeups weren’t much of anything, either. Just the stuff was a tick or two down for me and it was a tough one,” he said.

The O’s had a recent run of outstanding starting pitching, especially on the Houston/Cleveland road trip. But suddenly they have gone eight games without a quality start. In that time, the rotation has an ERA of 7.36, allowing 24 earned runs over 29 1/3 innings.

The O’s could use a win today to take this series heading into Monday’s off-day before a five-game road trip to Washington and Toronto.

More 'pen options this year: It may not be true every night, as O’s manager Brandon Hyde had closer Félix Bautista unavailable on Friday night in the Boston series opener, but one reason for the improved bullpen pitching this year according to Hyde is simply more quality options he has at his disposal.

“What we’ve had this year a lot differently also is that, in the past few years, in a lot of games, I would only have, let’s say four guys available out of the ‘pen. Because our starters have been better this year and our bullpen guys more efficient, I usually now have more options.

“In the past I possibly might say, 'I have these four guys (to get through the game) I’m going do the best I can to try and get there.' Now it’s a little bit more strategic and I have more options. Like (Friday) night, coming off an off-day, everyone except for Bautista was available. Because guys were efficient in their work in that game, one inning, four-out stints, they’re available today.

“Bullpen guys, feel like in the past had a tough time getting through innings. So a 27-pitch inning usually meant the next day they were down. Feel like we were never able to catch up and our guys have done a good job of that this year," Hyde said. 

Adley and Gunnar: Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson were both ranked as the No. 1 prospect in baseball this year by Baseball America for numerous reasons. Beyond their immense talent, both have shown an abundance of composure and poise, both at-bat and in the field.

Like the calm and composed at-bat Henderson took Friday night in the sixth inning, leading to his go-ahead, two-run single to right.

Hyde talked about that composure from the rookies during his pregame interview Saturday.

“You know Adley, we have talked about a lot, the ability for him to manage at-bats is well beyond his years,” said Hyde. “And Gunnar is – that’s another thing I didn’t know about Gunnar. You read his stuff from the minors and never know how it translates to the big leagues, honestly. Sometimes the moment can be too big for young players and they try to do too much. But he’s very, very consistent, honestly. Putting good swings on strikes, taking close pitches. Had some great at-bats (Friday). The way he can lay off pitches. If a guy is struggling a bit on the mound, let him struggle and wait to get something to hit.

"So for them going through this year (and gaining such experience), it’s going to be huge for them going forward. Going to be fun to watch them grow up.”