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Pitching Duel Against Marlins Ends Badly for Baltimore Orioles

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 04: Jesus Aguilar #24 of the Miami Marlins rounds the bases in front of Renato Nunez #39 of the Baltimore Orioles hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 04, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 04: Jesus Aguilar #24 of the Miami Marlins rounds the bases in front of Renato Nunez #39 of the Baltimore Orioles hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 04, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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What began as a four-inning pitching duel between the Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins ended in a shutout for the home team.

All but two of the Baltimore Orioles could not get on base against the Marlins after the Fish had nearly a week off due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

It turns out that the week off was what the Marlins needed as the blanked the O’s 4-0.

Despite the loss, the Orioles are still in second place behind the Yankees. But, with their third win of the season, the Marlins are sitting in first in the NL East with a 3-1 record and a .750 winning percentage. The records are difficult to compare as some of the NL East team – like the Mets and Braves having played 12 games, but the Phillies and Marlins only with four. By the way, the Phillies are 1-3.

John Means entered the game with a double-digit ERA, but after four solid innings he lowered it into the sevens. He gave up only two hits on the night and one home run, which turned out to the all the Marlins needed. Means was replaced after Francisco Cervelli hit a solo in the fifth.

Unfortunately, the hits didn’t stop for the Marlins. And they never happened for the Orioles. The Fish scored two more in the sixth with former teammate Jonathan Villar getting it started with a hard liner for a single. He moved to second on a Travis Lakins wild pitch, then scored when Jon Berti followed up with a single. Lakins got into more trouble and the Fish earned another run. Then, they sealed the deal with a Jesus Aguilar home run in the eighth.

There weren’t many highlights to speak of for the Orioles other than

Anthony Santander

. The right fielder had a few outstanding players to help the pitching, including a running catch in the first:

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He also was one of the few Orioles to get on base. He hit a two-out double in the sixth, but Renato Nunez could not get him home. The other Bird who had success at the plate was Austin Hays, who went 2-3 on the night. The Orioles combined for 11 strikeouts against the Marlins pitching.

It might be time to give DJ Stewart a rest and call up Ryan Mountcastle. Stewart is on a upsetting streak of his own: going 0-14. He was clearly frustrated Tuesday night. Yes, Mountcastle is an infielder, but he did get some reps in left during the summer training sessions. Stewart needs to get his head straight before he gets to the plate again.

Next. What the New Playoff Format Means for the Orioles. dark

The Orioles have their first double header of the 2020 season. They are seven-inning double headers, and Alex Cobb gets the nod for the first one. He will face Elieser Hernandez at 5:05 ET. Asher Wojciechowski gets the ball for the second game, and the Marlins have not announced who will face him. The Orioles will be the home team when Cobb pitches, then switch to the away team for Wojciechowski’s game.

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