Hays' multi-HR game caps 17-game hit streak
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BALTIMORE -- Austin Hays hit safely for the 17th consecutive game with a second-inning home run off Hyun Jin Ryu in the Orioles' 11-10 loss in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays. The O's outfielder then went deep in the fourth to give him 18 on the season and five during his streak, which began on Aug. 24.
Hays then went 0-for-3 in Baltimore's 11-2 loss in Game 2, bringing an end to the hitting streak.
Hays' 17-game hitting streak was the longest in the Majors, and the second-longest by an Orioles batter this season -- Cedric Mullins recorded a 20-game streak from July 20-Aug. 13.
Since the start of August, Hays has shown signs of improvement at the plate. Entering play Saturday, Hays had hit safely in 30 of his last 35 games, raising his OPS to .741 on the season.
On Saturday, Hays made his seventh start hitting leadoff, with Baltimore giving Mullins a rest during game one of a doubleheader vs. Toronto. Sure, it is a small sample size, but Hays has had success in the one spot this season. The outfielder is batting .385 with one home run in the leadoff spot this year.
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Baysox rally late vs. Senators
The Double-A Bowie Baysox entered the 10th inning in Friday night’s matchup vs. the Harrisburg Senators tied 3-3. They came back to score five during the top of the frame, defeating the Nationals' affiliate, 8-3, to advance to 66-45 in the division. Bowie sits three games back in the standings entering play on Saturday.
Jordan Westburg, the Orioles' No. 6 prospect, had a big day at the plate. The infielder went 3-for-6 with an RBI double.
Starting pitcher Drew Rom also contributed to the win, tossing five innings. The lefty fanned seven batters for the fourth time this season. Rom, ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the Orioles' organization, lowered his ERA to 4.37 in eight appearances (six starts) with Bowie.