The Baltimore Orioles fell out of first place in the American League East division for the first time this season after losing four of seven games, including back-to-back defeats at the hands of the New York Yankees on April 28 and 29.
Baltimore (14-8) sat in second place in the AL East as of April 30, trailing the first-place Yankees (15-7).
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (39) delivers against the New York Yankees during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 28, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson); and Baltimore Orioles’ Ubaldo Jimenez delivers a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Saturday, April 29, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
The Orioles finally suffered a pitching breakdown in their two games against New York. Starter Kevin Gausman gave up five runs and the bullpen surrendered nine more in a stunning 14-11 loss on April 28. The pitching was just as bad in a 12-4 loss to the Yankees on April 29; starter Ubaldo Jimenez gave up seven runs and the bullpen allowed five more runs.
Baltimore had been winning this year with strong pitching, solid fielding and clutch batting late in games. No one expected the Orioles’ rotation to perform as well as it has so far this season, and it was only a matter of time before reality set in and mediocre starters like Gausman and Jimenez revealed their true selves.
Baltimore Orioles’ Hyun Soo Kim, of South Korea, hits a single during the sixth inning of a baseball game as New York Yankees catcher Austin Romine watches Saturday, April 29, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Now would be the time for the Orioles’ sluggers to step up and deliver the explosive offense Baltimore was expected to show. Last year’s home run leader, Mark Trumbo, has only two homers so far this season, and Chris Davis, who owns two home run titles himself, has just three homers this year.
As long as Baltimore’s offense is underachieving, the Orioles will have to lean on the surprisingly stellar play of their pitchers. But how long will it last? If this weekend’s series against the Yankees is any indication, don’t expect it to last for long.
