BALTIMORE- What happened? Entering Sunday’s game, the Orioles’ bullpen had a 3.20 ERA, and was coming off its first save of the season. With Félix Bautista, who recorded that save on Saturday, unavailable, Oriole relievers allowed five runs and blew a chance for their first series win in a 7-6 loss in 10 innings to the Toronto Blue Jays before 27,193 at Camden Yards.
After the Orioles gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th, Jeff Hoffman recorded the win. He then blew a kiss toward the Orioles’ dugout. It was his reaction to a contract offer from the Orioles that was reportedly rescinded after his physical because of concern about his shoulder. He signed with the Blue Jays for $33 million over three years, and looked strong in his two innings against the Orioles.
“When I’m thinking about the games before the games are being played and stuff, yeah, obviously that’s definitely in my head. But once I’m in the game, in the moment, I’m focused on making pitches,” Hoffman told reporters outside the visitors’ clubhouse.
It added insult to a tough loss for the Orioles (6-9), who led, 6-3, after six innings. Keegan Akin allowed a run in the top of the sixth, and Gregory Soto, who hadn’t been scored upon, gave up three in the eighth. Yennier Cano relieved Soto, and he allowed a single to Bo Bichette that scored Ernie Clement with the tying run.
“With the day off tomorrow, we were more aggressive yesterday and today with our bullpen,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “You take your chances with Soto and Cano there in the eighth and the ninth, because those guys have been unbelievable so far this year.”
Matt Bowman (0-1), the sixth reliever of the game, allowed automatic runner Andres Giménez to score on Myles Straw’s infield single in the 10th.
On Opening Day, the Orioles hit six home runs, three against José Berríos, in their 12-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Berrios surrendered two home runs, to Ryan Mountcastle and Tyler O’Neill.
Gunnar Henderson had three hits, a triple and two singles, scoring on a wild pitch in the first and on a fielder’s choice in the third.
Cade Povich allowed two runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out two. It was another short start for an Oriole starter, putting more pressure on the bullpen.
Bryan Baker struck out George Springer for the third out of the fifth. Springer left the game with left wrist discomfort.
“I thought that Cade hung in there — third time through the order there in the fifth. I thought he escaped traffic a lot of those first few innings. I thought Bake did a great job of getting him out of that second-and-third, two-out jam there in the fifth inning,” Hyde said.
Jackson Holliday, who’s hitless in 17 at-bats, hit a hard gounder that took a bad hop and got past first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., allowing Heston Kjerstad and Mountcastle to score.
After Seranthony Domínguez retired four batters, Soto allowed three hits to begin the eighth. All three scored, and the game was tied, 6-6.
“I thought we fought hard. I thought we took really good at-bats off Berríos,” Hyde said. “We’ve been pitching really well out of the bullpen and today just was — give them credit. I thought they took good at bats off Soto. Bichette got that piece enough one off of Cano there to drive in the tying run.”
The Orioles had just one hit in the last four innings, Adley Rutschman’s one-out double in the ninth against Hoffman (2-0). Ryan O’Hearn struck out and Jordan Westburg flied to right, sending the game into the 10th inning.
“Rutsch hits a huge double, gets in position to try to win the game,” Hyde said. “Just didn’t happen. I thought our guys fought hard. We just didn’t add on a ton and they got some breaks late.”
Hyde tossed: Hyde was ejected by home plate umpire John Bacon on a called third strike against Westburg in the third inning.
“I didn’t really appreciate the strike zone early,” Hyde said. “I thought Westy got called, punched out on two balls below the zone in his first two at-bats. I thought we weren’t getting many calls going our way there offensively.”
Westburg appreciated that Hyde had his back.
“Yeah, I needed it. I’m never going to disrespect an umpire, at least purposely. It’s frustrating, it’s part of the game,” Westburg said. “I know he’s not trying to screw anybody back there and I know that he’s trying his best, but it sucks. It’s a pretty helpless feeling, especially in two big at-bats with runners in scoring position where I put a little bit more pressure on myself to come through. It’s disappointing. I’m going to shake it off. I just really appreciate Hyde having my back there.”
It was Hyde’s first ejection of the season, and his 18th with the Orioles.
Bench coach Robinson Chirinos managed the rest of the game.
Orioles fail to add on: The Orioles couldn’t handle Toronto’s bullpen, and for the second time in three starts, Povich couldn’t make it through the fifth inning.
“I always want the ball in my hands,” he said. “Those calls aren’t mine. If they were, probably ask any pitcher, they’d be out there the entire game if they could no matter what’s going on. Someone [with a] much higher pay grade that knows the situations and makes the calls that they see fit best for the team.”
Westburg was hitless in five at-bats, called out on strikes twice, grounded out to third and flied to right twice.
“Every loss is disappointing,” he said. “Sucks when you blow a lead. Always does. It’s never going to get old. Always very disappointing, but it’s part of the game. We have an off day tomorrow and look to bounce back.”
What does it mean? The Orioles’ bullpen, which had rarely been tested in tough situations this season, had a forgettable afternoon, allowing five runs.
What’s the word? “I think this is such a long season, baseball’s such a hard game, that you just try to stick to your process as a team. Trust the culture in this clubhouse. Trust the guys in this clubhouse. Not overreact to wins and losses this early.”-Westburg on the Orioles’ loss.
What’s the stat of the day? 2. The Orioles had just two hits in seven innings against Toronto’s bullpen in the two games this weekend.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Cameron Weston (0-1) allowed six runs on four hits in 3 2/3 innings as Triple-A Norfolk lost to Gwinnett, 12-8. Cody Poteet gave up five runs on eight hits in two innings. Second baseman Vimael Machin had three hits and three RBIs. Third baseman Coby Mayo and designated hitter Jud Fabian homered. Mayo was on base in each of his five plate appearances, walking three times.
Double-A Chesapeake was held to four hits in a 1-0 loss to Erie. Pat Reilly allowed the run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Catcher Ethan Anderson hit a grand slam and centerfielder Vance Honeycutt homered in High-A Aberdeen’s 11-7 win over Jersey Shore.
Single-A Delmarva had just five hits in its 6-0 loss to Fayetteville. Starter Sebastian Gongora allowed four runs on two hits, walked three and was removed after recording just one out.
What’s next? After a day off, the Orioles open a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians. Charlie Morton (0-3, 8.78) will face Logan Allen (0-2, 3.60) on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Out-of-market fans can watch on TBS. The game will also be seen on MASN2.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich,@BaltimoreBaseball.com