Post break success: Three takeaways from the Orioles sweep against Marlins

For the first time since 2000, the Baltimore Orioles won a series against the Miami/Florida Marlins. For the first time ever, the Baltimore Orioles swept a series against the Miami/Florida Marlins. Let's recap a fun series to start the second half!

Baltimore Orioles sweep second straight series by dispatching Marlins

The Adam Frazier Game: MIA 2-5 BAL

Baltimore returned after the break with a matchup against 2022 Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. He didn't have a better game than Orioles starter Dean Kremer (6.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 8 K). Home games on Friday means the City Connect jerseys were on the field, and Birdland feared another embarrassing loss. Well, not this time.

Alcantara allowed a Home Run against his nemesis: Adam Frazier. The second baseman has a .500 career average against the pitcher, plus two Home Runs. He and Cedric Mullins went yard too. The two-run bomb in eighth inning sealed the first two Home Run game in Frazier's MLB career, and his 12 (and counting) are career-high for #12.

Seventh-inning magic: MIA 5-6 BAL

A four-run second inning put Baltimore in an early hole in game two. They rallied, but without Mullins, who left with right quad tightness. Jorge Mateo hit a triple to put Baltimore in striking distance, trailing by one. Both teams scored, but in the seventh the Orioles Magic happened.

A first pitch leadoff Home Run by Gunnar Henderson to tie the score at 5 (first HR in seventh or later for Gunnar), and three consecutive singles by Austin Hays, Adley Rutschman and Anthony Santander put the Orioles in the lead. Cano and Bautista shut the door and Baltimore clinched the series win.

Masterclass: MIA 4-5 BAL

Kyle Bradish deserves your attention. The first Orioles' starter who pitched in the eighth inning this season was dealing with eight strikeouts in 7.1 innings. His best game so far in 2023. The offense came early with Adley and Santander (his Home Run #100) in the first and two runs in the fourth without a hit.

After eight scoreless innings, Eduardo Bazardo came to the ninth to seal the deal. Unfortunately, the Marlins struck back with two runs and one out. Brandon Hyde was forced to put Danny Coulombe in to slam the door, and he also nearly blew it. In the end, the sweep was secured. For Coulombe, it's the first save of his career. The fifth-most relief appearances of all-time without a save before the game.