Baltimore Orioles Daily: David Price ditches Fortnite, shuts down Birds

(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles were no match for David Price, who threw his first complete game since August 2016.

The Baltimore Orioles arrived at Fenway Park on Thursday with a 5-5 record over their last 10 games — average for most teams, but a dramatic improvement for the Birds. Who would have thought they’d be mowed down by a pitcher whose latest adjustment was to give up Fortnite?

When Red Sox starter David Price was scratched from his start last Wednesday and subsequently diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, many speculated that his love for the popular video game was the reason behind the ailment. Price denied this, but he also announced his plan to stop playing Fortnite at the ballpark, saying the habit had “already caused enough noise.”

One week later, he went the distance against the Birds, recording eight strikeouts and two earned runs without walking a single batter. Baseball’s funny sometimes.

Tonight’s game will get underway at 7:10 p.m. ET. Until then, here’s what you might have missed yesterday.

Best of Birds Watcher from 5/17/18

Baltimore Orioles vs Boston Red Sox: 5 players to watch: There’s still a lot of baseball to be played this weekend. Follow along as I profile five players who could tilt the balance of the series.

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Best of Orioles news and analysis across the web from 5/17/18

Gausman’s sudden struggles to control running game for Orioles are strange to say the least: At just 27 years old, Gausman is surprisingly adept at holding runners, but that skill didn’t show up during yesterday’s game — the Red Sox stole five bases. Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun addresses this and more as he evaluates the unsuccessful start.

Rosenthal: Don’t read anything into Adam Jones’ purchase of Cal Ripken Jr.’s home: Jones’ contract will expire after this season, but that didn’t stop him from wading into the Baltimore-area real estate market. Alas, this report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic states that Jones has bought and sold homes in other cities, so until further notice, expect the outfielder to become a free agent this winter.

Orioles mock draft roundup: High school pitchers are getting attention: If the Orioles are going to rebuild, drafting well will be absolutely key. Here, Mark Brown of Camden Chat provides the lowdown on a few potential targets for the Birds, most of them pitchers.

Notes: Orioles send Caleb Joseph to Triple-A Norfolk, recall Andrew Susac: With Susac thriving in Triple-A, the Birds decided to exile Joseph, who has a .182/.203/.325 slash line in 80 plate appearances this season. Find out more in Encina’s daily notebook.

Next: The top 5 strikeout pitchers in Orioles history

How many games will the Birds take from the Red Sox this weekend? Let us know on social media, and keep it here at Birds Watcher for more updates on the Baltimore Orioles.