Baltimore Orioles waste incredible pitching performance in Game 1 loss

Once the Baltimore Orioles officially secured their spot in the 2024 playoffs, they hoped to resolve any issues that had plagued them over the latter part of the year by focusing on resetting and preparing for the postseason. playoffs.

They have all the talent in the world to make a deep run, but questions remain about whether this group is truly ready to take the next step after being eliminated from the ALDS cycle in 2023.

The Orioles brought in Corbin Burnes to become their team’s ace and give this group a real chance to win playoff games, which he accomplished in Game 1 against the Kansas City Royals.

Unfortunately, the Baltimore team didn’t show up and spoiled the star’s performance in their 1-0 loss on Tuesday.

With the Royals pitching to their own ace Cole Ragans, it was shaping up to be a classic pitching duel, and that’s exactly what happened throughout the contest.

The first and only run wasn’t scored until the top of the sixth inning when superstar Bobby Witt Jr. broke the deadlock with an RBI single.

Burnes was credited with the loss, but he was sensational, pitching 8.0 innings in which he allowed just one run on five hits while striking out three batters against one walk.

The Orioles managed only five hits, including two from Cedric Mullins.

Their all-star group of Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Anthony Santander, Adley Rutschman and Colton Cowser combined to go 2-for-19.

The staleness of Baltimore’s offense was a major concern, as this lineup wasn’t putting up quite the same type of numbers and at-bats that it had exhibited earlier in the year when dominating opponents. .

Ragans was lights out for Kansas City, pitching six scoreless innings where he allowed just four hits and struck out eight batters with no walks, but after deciding to retire him after just 80 pitches thrown, it was the Orioles chance to hit. .

But it never came to fruition.

Baltimore needs to find a way to get production out of their lineup in Game 2 or they will be eliminated from the playoffs for the second year in a row, ending this campaign on a major disappointment.