What just happened? 3 takeaways from Orioles vs Red Sox
Opening up the year at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox for the third time in the last four years, the Baltimore Orioles were looking to start off right in an attempt to make the playoffs this season. It didn't exactly happen that way, as the Orioles lost two of three to the Red Sox to start the season. With that, it's takeway time!
Three takeaways from the Baltimore Orioles series loss to the Red Sox
Thursday, March 30: Adley Rutschman is a god
While everyone in the Orioles lineup had a good day on opening day, Rutschman in particular stood out from the pack. He homered and went 5-for-5 hitting, collecting four RBI's in the win. He's essential to the Orioles machine, and he sure showed why on opening day. If the team didn't try so hard to give up the lead late, it would've been an even better win.
Saturday, April 1: A cruel April Fool's joke
The middle game of this duel was much more of a back and forth than Thursday's game, as the Orioles offense lit up Chris Sale, while Boston's offense hit Dean Kremer hard. However, this game will be known for the Red Sox comeback, or rather, the comeback Baltimore allowed. They had already let a 7-1 lead dissipate to an 8-7 advantage in the ninth inning.
Disaster struck after that. With two outs, all Ryan McKenna had to do was catch a pop up from Boston outfielder Masataka Yoshida. He couldn't do so, thus keeping the Red Sox alive. Adam Duvall punished the Orioles for that mistake, hitting a walk-off two run home run just two pitches later to give the Red Sox an improbable comeback.
Sunday, April 2: Pitching woes continue
Despite the Orioles offense fighting with all they could muster, the pitching staff once again did them in. Cole Irvin didn't have it in his Orioles debut, getting tagged for six runs in four innings, failing to record an out in the fifth. Bryan Baker didn't have any runs charged to him, while Keegan Akin was responsible for two runs and Mike Baumann for one. The aforementioned Adam Duvall also continued to terrorize Orioles pitching, going 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI's.
Looking to rebound from the opening series loss, the Orioles jump on the plane and head to Arlington, Texas, for a matchup with the Texas Rangers beginning on Monday night.