Orioles remain targets for opposing pitchers in 7-6, 10-inning win

Dane Dunning’s 89 mph sinker dug into Austin Hays’ right wrist today in the second inning. Hays slammed down the bat, spiked his elbow guard and voiced his displeasure as he walked to first base.

Nothing aimed at the Rangers’ starter. Just some general venting.

Getting hit has become a major issue for the Orioles.  

The pitch wasn’t intentional. They usually aren’t. But the pain is real.

Hays has a well-documented injury history and doesn’t appreciate being hit under any circumstances.

He doubled in his next at-bat, the ball bouncing off the top of the left field wall. A home run any other year. A nice response to Dunning’s lapse of control.

Trey Mancini began today tied for sixth in the majors with eight hit by pitches, and, as he mentioned to me on Sunday, it’s usually the hands or elbows instead of a fleshy part of his body. Never the thigh or buttocks. Always ball on bone.

The Orioles have been hit 50 times, most in the American League and second in the majors. They won today's game against the Rangers in the 10^th inning after Matt Moore drilled Jorge Mateo on the left leg above the knee with a 93 mph fastball with the bases loaded and the score tied, their sixth walk-off victory.

The first limp-off.

Mateo stayed at the plate as Hays crossed it, using his bat as a crutch, then hobbled to first base, where teammates waited to celebrate. Hays, Cedric Mullins and Rougned Odor assisted him to the bag.

The club brought back the Kangaroo Court this year. It may also need a swear jar.

Orioles pitchers have hit 35 batters, tied for eighth in the majors. They have some catching up to do.

There’s a pretty simple explanation for Mancini’s bruises. Teams keep pitching him inside. He knows it. But getting out of the way is harder than it may appear, and especially when he swings, as he did against Toronto’s Alek Manoah while drilled on the right hand.

More pitchers seem to be lacking command, whether due to the ban on sticky substances or for other reasons.

The Orioles didn’t mind that Moore let a fastball get away. He worked a little bit too inside.

Mateo will take the bruise if it comes with a win.