Cowser, Westburg combine to power O’s past Yanks

NEW YORK -- At the end of his first MLB game, Colton Cowser jogged in from left field to the infield dirt, where Jordan Westburg was among those awaiting him. The two prospects did a celebratory postgame handshake for the first time as Orioles teammates, then Westburg gave Cowser a pat on the back.

They had to have daydreamed about this type of moment when both were at Triple-A Norfolk for more than two months earlier this year, right?

“We didn’t really talk about it,” Westburg said. “I think we both kind of knew that there might be an opportunity for us to both be together up here.”

Westburg earned his first big league callup nine days ago, while Cowser was promoted on Wednesday afternoon. Both contributed in a big way that night, as the talented young duo provided the O’s with a needed spark in a 6-3 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Cowser (the O’s No. 2 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 14 overall prospect) notched both his first MLB hit and his first MLB RBI with one swing in his debut. The 23-year-old outfielder knocked a one-out run-scoring single to right field in the sixth off New York left-hander Nick Ramirez, cutting Baltimore’s deficit to 2-1.

The Yankees then turned to righty Michael King, who immediately yielded a go-ahead two-run triple to Westburg (the Orioles’ No. 3 prospect and No. 32 overall) that gave the O’s a 3-2 lead. It was the first big league three-bagger for the 24-year-old infielder, who has played eight games in the Majors.

“That was awesome. I wish he would have split the gap a little bit more so I didn’t have to stop,” Cowser said with a grin. “He put a good swing on it.”

Cowser is known for being a lighthearted guy who’s always smiling -- a “goofball,” as Westburg put it. Meanwhile, Westburg rarely smiles on the field, instead keeping a stoic, business-like demeanor, although he insists he’s “not a super serious guy.”

While the two may play the game with slightly different personalities, they share one trait in common that’s of utmost importance to the Orioles: They know how to hit. Batting seventh and eighth, respectively, in Baltimore’s lineup, Cowser and Westburg combined to go 2-for-6 with two walks, three RBIs and two runs scored.

“These guys are great,” said right-hander Dean Kremer, who recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts over seven dominant innings. “Westy’s a hell of a player, and I mean, I’ve only gotten to see Cowser for a little bit in spring. From what I’ve seen in Triple-A on videos and stuff, he’s going to be the real deal. Gunnar [Henderson] and Adley [Rutschman], I mean, you guys know. We’ve got a bright future here.”

With that quartet (Rutschman, Henderson, Westburg and Cowser) in action, nearly half of the Orioles’ lineup featured homegrown talent that was acquired via the MLB Draft within the past four years. The timing of Cowser joining the other three may have had a bit to do with Baltimore’s recent offensive struggles.

The O’s (50-35) won for only the second time in their past eight games. They’ve been held to three or fewer runs five times during that span.

As Cowser showed on his first night in the big leagues, he’s capable of bringing a boost. It’s exactly what the Orioles are hoping his presence adds to the team.

“What a nice debut,” manager Brandon Hyde said.

The moment clearly wasn’t too big for Cowser, who kept a level head throughout a whirlwind day. He fit in seamlessly with the rest of Baltimore’s young core -- many of whom he knew from his time in the Minors -- in an easygoing clubhouse.

There may have been 36,022 loud fans in the stands -- 20 of whom were members of Cowser’s family and friends -- but he said he had no trouble maintaining his focus.

“Just kind of soaked it in, and then once I did that, I took a moment and was like, ‘All right, let’s go,’” Cowser said. “Honestly, I was more nervous [during] the wait before the game than I was [after it started]. Once I got through my daily schedule, I was like, ‘It’s the same game. Just go out there and play.’”

When Cowser got back to the visitors’ clubhouse, he was at the center of his first Orioles postgame win celebration. His teammates were eager to officially welcome him to the group.

“It's hard not to smile when he's on the field. It was a special night, not only for him,” Westburg said. “I'm so happy that he's here, and we're both excited and hoping to make an impact.”