The Baltimore Orioles. (Groan) Given how things transpired during the mercifully gone, month of August, you could be forgiven for thinking that the team is no longer capable of playing two solid games in a row. Not three in a row, for sure. In August, they didn’t do that even once. It could have been two wins in a row on Saturday, but they didn’t play well, so this is what happened. The Rockies defeated the O’s 7–5.
The Orioles sustained two more injuries to exacerbate the situation, which may have an effect on the team’s performance in the next days or perhaps weeks. Dean Kremer, the starting pitcher, took a line drive off the area around his wrist in the fourth inning, which forced him out of the game. Almost immediately after the action, MASN cameras captured an extremely swollen and ugly welt. For a break, the O’s indicated that x-rays were negative, so we’ll see how this plays out.
Later in the game, productive August hitter Ramón Urías hurt himself while rushing to third base to try to tag out a runner who was trying to steal. Urías left the game immediately after rolling his ankle while stepping onto the base. For him, a prolonged absence would be painful at this moment. I never would have thought that a sentiment like this could exist back in May.
These injuries occur at the same time as today’s September call-ups. These days, rosters grow by just two from the typical 26—one position player and one pitcher—instead of the days when you could bring up as many players as you could fit onto the 40-man roster and wanted to fit in your bench, bullpen, and clubhouse. Reports from yesterday suggested that prospect Coby Mayo might be making a comeback. Zach Eflin, the starting pitcher, is expected to start today after being activated from the injured list.
The Orioles may need to make additional alterations if Kremer or Urías need to be placed on the injured list. If they determine that someone who is currently here isn’t up to par and would be better off being discharged or moved to the minors, they may also decide to make more adjustments. Everybody has a different opinion about which player fits into whatever category.
On Sunday afternoon, the Orioles had best figure out a way to win the series and leave the Mile High City. The grand finale is scheduled to begin at 3:10 p.m. Eastern time. Cal Quantrill will pitch for the Rockies, while Eflin is scheduled to start for the Orioles.
