TORONTO- What happened? After two lopsided games, the Orioles led by four runs heading into the ninth, and manager Brandon Hyde called on Félix Bautista to pitch against a tough Toronto Blue Jays lineup.
In his first major league game since August 25th, 2023, Bautista struck out three batters, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the ninth, and the Orioles had their second win in three games, 9-5, over Toronto before 27.005 at Rogers Centre on Saturday.
Bautista, who had Tommy John surgery in October 2023 and missed all of 2024, struck out Nathan Lukes before Bo Bichette, who had four hits and a walk, doubled. He struck out Guerrero, walked former Oriole Anthony Santander and wrapped up the game by striking out Andres Giménez.
The Orioles’ offense had plenty of pop. Jordan Westburg tied a career high with four hits, and had his first two home run game. Ramón Urías had three hits, and a three-run double in the fourth.
Oriole starter Dean Kremer allowed five runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Max Scherzer, in his first Blue Jays start, left after three innings with right lat soreness.
The Orioles scored four runs in the fourth against Richard Lovelady to take a 6-4 lead.
Colton Cowser led off the game with a home run against Scherzer, and Westburg hit his first home run three batters later.
After Kremer left, Keegan Akin, Yennier Cano, Gregory Soto, Seranthony Domínguez and Bautista combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
The Orioles acquired right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet from the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.
How did Bautista look? Baseball’s best closer in 2023, touched 97.9 mph. and four swings-and-misses on his splitter.
“I’m getting my rhythm,” Bautista said through a team translator. “I felt a lot looser today, I think the adrenaline definitely helped. I think playing in a game that counts as you guys mentioned definitely helped me today, but I did feel really good with it.”
Hyde was eager to use Bautista but wasn’t going to waste him in a one-sided game.
“No, no. I really wanted to pitch him today, but if it was a large lead from either side, probably not, but I wanted to pitch him today,” he said.
“I was waiting for my chance, waiting for my opportunity, just waiting for whenever my name was called,” Bautista said.
What was the reaction from Bautista’s teammates? “It’s exciting. I was in the gym when I saw him come out. I was like, ‘Wow, it’s incredible. I got goose bumps watching him run on to the field,” Cano said. “It was needed. It was needed for him to get on to the field and feel what it’s like again and have an outing. It was super nice to see.”
Hyde was thrilled to see Bautista return.
“That was so exciting for all of us,” he said. “All the people in this room know what he’s gone through and how he was itching to be a part of our team last year so badly and unable to do that. I was hoping for a situation that was as low-pressure as possible. Maybe a three-run lead with the bottom of the order. But it worked out and great to see him out there. Everybody was pumped up that he was coming into the game.”
Kremer was happy to have the big closer back to protect the lead.
“It was good. Just to get his first one under his belt and have success, it’s really encouraging to see,” Kremer said.
Westburg was excited, too.
“It’s good to have the big man back, shutting down games in the ninth inning,” Westburg said. “Pretty clean inning out of him overall, and we’re excited to have him back.”
How did Kremer pitch? Kremer allowed five runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out six.
“Stuff felt pretty good all day,” Kremer said. “Threw a lot of strikes. Made a couple too many in-zone pitches with two strikes maybe early on, but other than that, I’m pretty happy with where my starting point is.”
How good is the Orioles’ offense? “I mean, I’ve got all the confidence in the world in this lineup,” Kremer said. “Again, from top to bottom, they’re solid. Through and through, it’s a hard lineup to pitch to. There’s really no breaks. There’s no holes in the lineup. There’s no nothing. So, for a pitcher, it’s a grind to get through one through nine.”
Westburg appreciates the balance of the lineup..
“Yeah, 100 percent, and one that has somebody different every day impact the game,” he said. “I think one through nine, plus the four guys on the bench, are all capable of impacting the game in unique and powerful ways in this offense. So it’s something we’re proud of, something we’ll continue to build upon and get comfortable with.”
What was it like facing Santander? In his first three games with the Blue Jays, the former Orioles slugger is hitting .250 (3-for-12) with an RBI. Cano struck him out on a changeup to end the seventh.
“From the start of the season, I wanted to strike him out, and that’s what I had in my mind in the bullpen,” Cano said. “I went out and did exactly that. That was great.”
Who’s throwing out Monday’s first pitch? Maryland men’s basketball stars Derik Queen and Julian Reese and women’s stars Allie Kubek and Shyanne Sellers will throw out first pitches before Monday’ home opener against the Boston Red Sox.
Queen and Reese are Baltimore natives. Kubek is a Maryland native. Queen and Sellers will be the first guest splashers in the expanded Bird Bath Splash Zone.
Queen hit the game-winning, buzzer-beating shot against Colorado State to put Maryland in the Sweet 16. When asked where his confidence comes from, he said: “I’m from Baltimore, that’s why.”
For the first time, Maryland’s men’s and women’s team advanced to the Sweet 16.
What does it mean? Hyde has used his bullpen extensively the past two games. Tomoyuki Sugano, making his major league debut after the 35-year-old right-hander pitched for the Yomiuri Giants, will need to have a strong start and hope that the offense backs him as they did for Kremer and Opening Day starter Zach Eflin, a 12-2 winner.
What’s the word? “Not yet. I think it all happened so fast, getting into the game, playing and then getting ready to hit the gym after my outing. So, I’m sure once I get to the hotel and once I have a chance to relax and cool down, then I’ll be able to reflect on it.”–Bautista on whether he reflected on his journey.
What’s the stat of the day? 408. Hyde won his 408th game with the Orioles, moving into fourth place among the team’s managers. He trails Earl Weaver, Buck Showalter and Paul Richards.
What’s next? Tomoyuki Sugano will make his major league debut against Chris Bassitt at 1:37 p.m. on Sunday.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com