Back in the win column! Orioles’ offensive awakens in 10-4 win over Miami

So this is what winning feels like? It’s been a while. Nine games to be exact. The Orioles’ busted out of their nine-game losing streak this afternoon at Camden Yards, beating the Marlins 10-4 and finally collecting their twentieth win of the season. The offense led the way, collecting 14 hits and scoring the most runs they’ve managed since May 24. Dylan Bundy (5-7) picked up the win and looked fantastic before struggling in the sixth inning. To make a good day even better, Brooks Robinson was in attendance for the O’s victory.

Only one O’s starter, Corban Joseph, went without a hit in what was a very balanced offensive attack. Jace Peterson led the way, going 2-4 with a home run, double, and a career high four RBI. Mark Trumbo added three hits, a homer, and two RBI and Adam Jones and Manny Machado also registered multi-hit efforts. Perhaps the best statistic in the box score was that the O’s only struck out two times.

Relievers Zach Britton and Brad Brach both pitched scoreless innings today. As we move closer to the July 31 trading deadline, their performances will be interesting to watch as they are potential trade chips.

The O’s struck early, opening the scoring in the second inning. After a Trumbo single and Jonathan Schoop single, Trey Mancini struck out and made us wonder if yet another scoring opportunity would be wasted this season. This wasn’t the day for that, though. Jace Peterson picked up two RBI by lacing a ground-rule double to right-center field. It would mark the first of four consecutive innings in which the O’s would score a pair or runs.

In the third inning, it took a two-out rally for Baltimore to score. Machado singled with two outs in the frame and was brought home on a Trumbo double. Mancini then plated Trumbo to give the O’s a 4-0 lead.

The Marlins cut the lead to 4-1 in the top of the fourth on a Justin Bour homer off of Bundy. Singles by Craig Gentry and Austin Wynns, a late addition to the lineup, started the O’s response to the Marlin’s run. Adam Jones swatted a two-run double to make the score 6-1. This was the hit that chased Miami starter Trevor Richards from the game. Two more runs scored in the bottom of the fifth. After a Jonathan Schoop walk, Jace Peterson clubbed his first home run of the season. The score after five innings was 8-1 Baltimore, an odd sight this season.

Through this point, Bundy was in complete control of Miami’s lineup. The Justin Bour home-run he allowed in the fourth inning was the first run he gave up in twenty innings. The dominate Bundy we’re used to seeing in day games was certainly on display over the first five innings, as he allowed three baserunners and struck out five on 64 pitches through that point. Unfortunately, he ran into some trouble in the sixth. After Derek Dietrich and and Brian Anderson reached base to start the frame, Bour struck again. He hit a three-run shot, his second of the game, to cut the lead to 8-4 and probably make some O’s fans sweat. After giving up a double to the next batter, Bundy retired the next two batters to get out of the inning and end his day.

Things got a little tense in the top of the seventh inning. Miguel Castro replaced Bundy and was not on his game. After allowing two singles and a walk to lead-off the inning, Buck Showalter had seen enough, pulling him before he could record an out. Mychal Givens was brought on for the bases loaded, no out situation and struck out Brian Anderson and got J.T. Realmuto to fly out. Tanner Scott then came on to face the left-handed hitting Bour, who was looking to build on his four-RBI day. Scott froze Bour on a beautiful 2-2 slider to get out of the inning. Givens and Scott getting out of this jam was quite encouraging and fun to watch.

The lead was extended to 9-4 in the bottom of the seventh when Trumbo led off the inning with a home run, his third hit of the game. Brad Brach worked around a double and a walk in the top of the eighth to pitch a scoreless inning. The O’s added the final run of the game in the bottom half of that inning when Machado laced a rocket to right-center field that scored Joey Rickard. Zach Britton worked the ninth inning, his second appearance in three games as he works back to full strength. Despite allowing a lead-off infield single, he looked sharp and retired the next three batters to finish off the game.

This victory will make tomorrow’s off day a little more enjoyable before a short trip to Washington. David Hess will make the start against the Nationals on Tuesday as the O’s will look to string two wins together.