A rollercoaster: Baltimore Orioles split series vs Los Angeles Angels

The Orioles finished their longest homestand in the 2023 season with a 6-4 record (two series wins and a split), but the last matchup against Los Angeles could have had a much better end in a back and forth game. Let's recap.

Game 1: Grayson's struggles (LAA 9-5 BAL)

The best pitching prospect had a tough outing in his latest, the worst so far (3.1 IP, 9 H, 8 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 HR) against a lineup with a brilliant 'batter' Shohei Ohtani at the dish. In another record, Ohtani is the first starting pitcher since 1964 who reach base safely five times and he almost hit for the cycle (4-5, HR, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 R, BB), who'll the first SP ever to do. The Halos offense finished with 17 hits.

For the offense, they jumped against the Ohtani the pitcher. Similar to his game two seasons ago Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander and Adam Frazier had a home run each, but the mountain was too difficult to climb.

Game 2: The comeback kids strike again (LAA 3-7 BAL)

Mickey Moniak, a former first overall pick, hit a leadoff Home Run and a 30-pitch inning by Dean Kremer could be dangerous for the rest of the night. He recovered and put in another solid outing (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 K) and the Orioles struck back with help from the Ryan's.

Firstly, Ryan O'Hearn hit his first Home Run as an Oriole. Secondly, when the Angels put a lefty on the mound, Brandon Hyde answered with Ryan Mountcastle batting for O'Hearn: he hit a two-run blast to take the lead and the Orioles never looked back. Even Ryan McKenna participated with a hit and a run. This trio finished with 4-5 with three RBI and three runs.

Game 3: The Mountain vs Ohtani (LAA 1-3 BAL)

Against a struggling pitcher, the O's were modest at least. One run in third, fourth and fifth (a solo shot by Austin Hays) innings were enough to beat the Halos. These runs supported a lengthy and productive outing by Kyle Bradish against his former organization (6.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 5 K). In the same night, former Oriole Dylan Bundy was ejected in AAA with sticky fingers. Orioles won the trade!

In the ninth, Felix Bautista sealed the game with two strikeouts. One of them came against Ohtani in a great duel. The win guaranteed a winning record for the whole homestand.

Game 4: Mixed feelings (LAA 6-5 BAL)

The Tyler's duel on the Thursday matinee. Wells started allowed a HR to Ohtani. In the third inning, Mike Trout extended the lead with a 2-run bomb to Mr. Walltimore. With a three-run homer in the fifth, Baltimore tied, but not for long. The Angels took the lead again before Adley went to the plate in the seventh to present the 27,000 at OPACY with a moonshot to the flag court pillar to put Baltimore ahead.

But, in the eighth a heartbreak. Bryan Baker continued on the mound and loaded the bases, giving way to Austin Voth and Danny Coulombe stop the bleeding in a 5-5 tie. He did it... but no one was there to cover first base after a great defense play by Mountcastle. Halos lead, again. Mullins brought hope with his last at-bat with a double, and a intentional walk to Rutschman led to Mountcastle with a chance to hero. A called third strike seal the game and a brutal loss for Baltimore.

Baltimore travels to Toronto to start a six-game road trip against Blue Jays and the New York Yankees next week.