Akin relishing role that's bringing him records

Keegan Akin had no idea that he held an Orioles’ record or that it existed. A visitor to his locker yesterday shared the news.

No Orioles reliever had thrown two or more innings in his first 11 appearances of the season. Akin blew past Jimmy Haynes for the team mark of 10 and has tied Chuck Crim for the major league record of 14 set in 1987.

“I did not know that,” Akin said, making no attempt to impersonate Johnny Carson.

The item is in the game notes, but Akin probably doesn’t peruse them at his locker.

“That’s pretty cool,” he said, smiling. “I didn’t see that.”

Akin retired all six batters to finish Wednesday night’s 9-2 win over the Mariners. His ERA is down to 1.60 and his WHIP to 0.802 in 33 2/3 innings.

Did anyone see that coming?

“When you have a nice lead and you just want a couple innings to fill, Keegan Akin is the guy,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “It’s going to last about seven minutes, it seems like.

“His tempo is incredible, his confidence right now is through the roof, his stuff is better. His fastball’s better. I thought in the years past the command of his pitches wasn’t quite there, and now he’s got confidence and command of his fastball. I thought the slider’s really improved.

“I felt like a lot of times that he would have a lot of deep counts, have a tough time putting guys away, not knowing what to go to, would just try to elevate fastballs. Now, he’s got a slider with depth, so that’s improved. His changeup’s improved. So, now he’s got more things to utilize against opposing hitters, and pitching with great confidence right now.”

Pounding the zone is encouraged. It’s demanded. And Akin has thrown 70.9 percent of his pitches for strikes, second-best in the majors and first among relievers with a minimum of 400.

Akin’s 33 2/3 innings led major league relievers before last night. He threw 95 last summer in 24 games, but 17 were starts.

Asked whether he’s enjoying the role, Akin replied, “Yeah, I would say so. It’s obviously easy to say when you’re having success, but I have really enjoyed it so far.

“It’s a new experience. I’ve never really got to do this on a consistent basis. Last year was just kind of, come in and eat some innings, three or four innings at a time, and bounce back and forth. So, to be consistent with it and get to every couple days go out there and throw two or three innings, it’s been fun.

“I like it a little bit more than starting, really, at this rate. The game of the unknown dynamic. I have an idea when I’m available to throw. Obviously, it’s not planned innings by any means, but I have an idea of, if I throw a good bit, I’m usually down for a day or two. I know that going in. But so far, yeah, it’s been enjoyable.”

Akin likes arriving at the ballpark unsure if the bullpen phone will ring later and his name will be called. That element of surprise. Not enduring the dead period between starts.

“Starting’s hard, especially in the big leagues,” he said. “Going to the field knowing you’re essentially useless for four days between. You’ve got to find things to keep you busy, and it’s the hardest thing that I’ve found. Once the game starts, you’re a spectator at that point, you’re a cheerleader. Just got to be a good teammate and sit there and cheer on the guys.

“It keeps me a little more into the game, I would say, being down there and not knowing when you’re going to pitch, and I think that’s what I like about it. The unknown keeps you in the game more, and we have fun down there. A great group of guys.”

Orioles relievers began last night with a 3.22 ERA that ranked fifth in the majors. Their 226 1/3 innings ranked second behind the Rays (228 1/3), and their 197 strikeouts tied for fourth in the American League and ninth in the majors.

The unit is entitled to an occasional slipup.

Bryan Baker inherited a bases-loaded, one-out mess in the sixth and got a strikeout and ground ball, but only after Cionel Pérez let an inherited runner score and walked two batters, and Joey Krehbiel surrendered a two-run single and issued a walk.

Krehbiel walked off the field with discomfort in his right shoulder, and he’s undergoing an MRI today.

Dillon Tate gave the Orioles 1 2/3 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.69, and Jorge López allowed only an unearned run in the 10^th over 2 1/3 innings to drop his ERA to 1.05.