Stowers powers a double, but O's lose Toronto series opener

TORONTO – During the long grind of a 162-game season where even after they feel they're making some progress and starting to play overall better baseball, building day-to-day momentum has been a real challenge for these 2022 Orioles.

They have one three-game win streak this year, and given a chance for a second one last night, they got hammered 11-1 by Toronto. It matches their biggest losing margin all year – 10 runs for the third time.

The up-and-down Orioles were held to 10 runs in three games versus Cleveland and then scored nine against the Cubs. They produced just six runs in two losses at Kansas City before scoring 16 and winning twice. Then the Toronto series started with a dud. 

And rookie right-hander Kyle Bradish, a young pitcher trying to find his way and make improvements in the rugged American League East, had another subpar night, allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings – his third straight outing where he failed to pitch five innings. He threw 90 pitches but his ERA increased from 6.45 to 6.86.

Bradish felt he was making some progress the second time through the Toronto lineup. Maybe it’s something to build on, but he was still missing a key pitch again.

"I felt more comfortable (the second time through). I was working up and down and mixing speeds. Got the changeup in there," Bradish said. "Today, the slider wasn’t there again. It’s tough when you have a righty-heavy lineup to not have a slider. That is kind of your biggest weapon. Just feel right now, don’t have the feel for it.”

The Orioles' rotation has just one quality start in the last 12 games with an ERA of 7.08 over that span.

The clear highlight – and about the only one for the Orioles on Monday night – was Kyle Stowers’ RBI double to left-center in the seventh inning. He hit a 96 mph fastball 106.3 mph to drive in Adley Rutschman for the O’s only run of the night.

While Toronto knocked five baseballs 107 mph or faster in the game - three by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. himself - Stowers had the hardest-hit ball by the Orioles in the game.

“It was cool, and pretty cool to see my family up in the stands, too," Stowers said postgame. "Wish we could have gotten a win tonight, but it was cool to get that out of the way.”

Stowers said there were plenty of nerves, which is to be expected, but when he came up the first time it wasn't too bad.

“Going into it I felt pretty good. Took a pitch that I felt I shouldn’t have taken and then chased a pitch and got down a little early and should have pulled the trigger on the first one," Stowers said. "I was a little tense maybe, but was able to take some deep breaths.”

But he struck out that first time up and flied to left his second time. Then came his run-scoring double before he was hit by a pitch in the ninth inning. He had a small, but very vocal cheering section.

“This was special to share it with them, even though a couple couldn’t make it. Just really special. I didn’t do it all myself growing up. I feel like they played such a big role, not just on the field, but off the field and who I am as a person. It is just so cool to have them here and nice to see them up in the stands," Stowers said. 

Stowers said he wasn’t sure where his family was sitting, but it didn’t take long to figure it out.

“I tell people you hear my mom before you see her. So, I could hear her and found here in the stands," Stowers said. 

And after the game, as he was taking in the moment with his family, he also took a peek at his phone to see the barrage of well wishes.

“Getting some texts and it’s cool to have the support. Kind of like I said with my family, I’ve been very blessed with a good community of good friends, from growing up, high school, college and now in pro ball. So it is very cool to have that support and I consider myself very blessed," Stowers said.