Wells leads latest strong pitching game and Henderson appreciates organization's support

Most teams are losing series against the Orioles these days except for Atlanta, but everyone else they've played since April 10. Over a month into the season, the Orioles have won nine of their last 10 series after their latest win last night. 

They blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 for the team’s fourth shutout of 2023. Tyler Wells gave up just one hit – a second-inning single – in seven scoreless on 96 pitches. He improved to 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA and Pirates batters went 1-for-22 against him. Yennier Cano and Félix Bautista – the twin towers – finished off the shutout.

At 26-13, the Orioles are 13 games over .500 for the first time since the last day of the 2016 season. They also moved within three games of first-place Tampa Bay, the closest to the top spot in the American League East they have been since April 7.

Wells provided the staff its third game this year of seven innings and the 11^th quality start. When the O’s get one, they are 10-1. Today they go for their third series sweep of the year after winning two of two games at Washington and three of three at home versus Detroit.

The team ERA is 4.07, which ranks ninth-best in the AL, but the staff is surely trending up.

When the Orioles played in Kansas City, they allowed 23 runs in three games, although they won two of those three games. But in the eight games since leaving Kauffman Stadium, they have allowed 21 runs with a team ERA of 2.21. O’s pitching has allowed just 12 runs in the last six games, allowing three runs or fewer each time.

The O’s rotation ERA is 1.74 the last eight games, with starts of two earned runs or less seven times and five quality starts in that span.

Right fielder Anthony Santander’s catch in deep right field in the seventh made it so Wells could spin seven scoreless, and, with two men on, saved a 2-2 tie for the Pirates. They didn’t get the runs, they didn’t get the win and they have now lost 11 of their last 12 games, scoring just 18 runs in those games.

Wells lowered his MLB-leading WHIP to 0.72 Saturday night.

Gunnar goes deep: The Orioles had hit just two homers the previous six games before last night and then got homers from Adley Rutschman in the first and Gunnar Henderson in the second for an early lead that would stand up through a briskly-played two hour and 40 minute game.

Henderson hit a first-pitch curveball that barely got out at a distance of 361 feet, but it was his fourth homer of the year and second at home. He is now batting .175/.341/.340/.681. He told me in the postgame clubhouse he appreciates the backing of the organization this year during his ups and downs.

“Yeah I mean, I love that they have put all their trust in me,” said Henderson, 21. “I feel like they have a good idea of the player I am and I like to go out there and play as hard as I can each and every day. It’s been tough, not being able to do too much for the team, but I’m trying to do my best, and now that it is coming around, glad I’m able to still stick up here.”

And maybe it slowly but surely is coming around for the kid. In 22 games in April, his OPS was .669 and he fanned 27 times. In 11 games in May, his OPS is .738 with eight strikeouts. Some small steps and signs of progress after some hard work put in with the club’s hitting coaches.

Did they make some solid adjustments?

“Just feeling a little bit looser in the box. Just giving myself space and that is pretty much it. Allowing myself to be a little freer in the box,” said Henderson.

“I just feel really comfortable at the plate now. I know I’ve hit a lot of balls hard the past few games, and glad to see some of them are starting to fall. Looking forward to continue that and keep rolling.”

The Orioles roll into game No. 40 today, so after this one they will be about 25 percent into their season. Should they sweep this series they would be 27-13 (.675) at the 40-game mark. That is a full-season pace for 109 wins.