O's game blog: Kyle Bradish returns to face Washington

WASHINGTON – The Orioles (10-7), winners of six of their past eight games and with a record of 3-1 on this road trip, can sweep this two-game series if they win tonight at Nationals Park.

Washington (5-12) allowed just a run and five hits in Tuesday’s 1-0 loss. The Nats, who began this series averaging just 3.88 runs per game this season, were held to three runs or fewer for the ninth time, and they are 0-9 in those games.

The Nats have lost five of six games, are 2-8 at home and are 0-4-1 in five series in 2023.

Right-hander Dean Kremer and three relievers teamed on the Orioles' second shutout of the year, joining their 2-0 win April 3 at Texas. Kremer, now 1-0 with a 6.16 ERA, went 6 2/3 innings, allowing just four singles and no walks while notching six strikeouts on 95 pitches, 66 for strikes. He threw first-pitch strikes to 21 of 25 batters in the series opener.

Speaking of series openers, the Orioles are now 6-0 in such games this year.

* Won 10-9 on March 30 at Boston.
* Won 2-0 on April 3 at Texas.
* Won 7-6 vs. the Yankees on April 7.
* Won 5-1 vs. Oakland on April 10.
* Won 6-3 at Chicago April 14.

Right-hander Kyle Bradish (0-0, 0.00 ERA in one start) makes his second outing of the year for the Orioles, who activated him off the injured list today. He had been out since taking a liner off his right foot in the second inning on April 3 at Globe Life Field at Texas.

The Orioles are delighted to get him back. He made a rehab start at Double-A Bowie on Friday, allowing a three-run homer and four runs (three earned) in five innings for the Baysox. He threw 82 pitches in that game and his fastball sat between 94 and 96 mph at Prince George’s Stadium.

Interviewed by MASN and MASNSports.com after that outing, Bradish pronounced his rehab start a success.

“It felt great," Bradish said of his return to a mound in a game. "Had those pregame jitters, which was a little different, just being at a lower level. But felt really good.

“I was pleased with it. I think I could have worked ahead of guys more. But the shapes of all my pitches were really good. Made good pitches. I think the biggest thing would be I carried my velo. Foot feels really good."

Bradish went  4-7 with a 4.90 ERA in 2022. He pitched 117 2/3 innings last season, allowing 119 hits and 1.402 WHIP while posting a 3.5 walk rate and 8.5 strikeout rate. Bradish had six quality starts among his 23 starts, and averaged 16.9 pitches per inning.

The Orioles went 14-9 in his starts last season, and went 9-4 in his last 13. After coming off the injured list in late July, Bradish was 3-3 with a 3.28 ERA in his last 13 games, allowing a .607 OPS. In his last eight starts of 2022, he pitched four quality starts and three scoreless outings, going 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA while allowing a .169 batting average and .500 OPS. He gave up just two homers over 45 2/3 innings in those games and allowed two runs or fewer five times.

Lefty MacKenzie Gore (2-0, 3.00 ERA) will make his fourth start for the Nationals. He has thrown 15 innings, allowing 12 hits and 1.467 WHIP. He's recorded a 6.0 walk rate and 10.8 K rate. The team is 2-1 in his starts, the last of which was Wednesday at the Los Angeles Angels, where he allowed four hits and two runs over 3 2/3 innings, throwing 88 pitches.

Gore recorded a quality start, allowing two runs over six innings, in his second start, against Colorado. In 19 career games, he is 6-4 with a 4.24 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. He has never faced the Orioles, and in three career interleague games, Gore is 0-0 with a 4.22 ERA in 10 2/3 innings.