The good, bad and historic in a wild loss to the Red Sox
Holliday records first 4-hit game, stamps name next to Robinson in O's history books
BALTIMORE -- It was a wild Friday night at Camden Yards, with a high-scoring game that had a little bit of everything.
The Orioles and the Red Sox combined for 22 runs and 31 hits, but Baltimore fell, 12-10, as its multiple comeback attempts fell short. The O’s never led, though they continued to make things interesting with rallies throughout the contest.
Let’s break down everything notable that occurred -- both good and bad -- for the Orioles (72-51), who dropped to one game behind the Yankees (73-50) in the American League East.
Jackson Holliday's historic night
Need more proof that MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect has arrived? Look no further than Holliday’s stat line: 4-for-5 (a career high for hits), his first MLB triple, one RBI and three runs scored.
Holliday (20 years, 256 days old) became the youngest player in O’s history (since 1954) to record four hits and three runs in a game. He’s the second-youngest Oriole with a four-hit game, behind only Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who recorded four hits vs. the Yankees on Sept. 25, 1957, at the age of 20 years and 130 days old.
Coincidentally, Robinson also had three singles and a triple, exactly like Holliday.
“That’s quite something,” Holliday said. “Obviously, very special to be able to share that with him. Hopefully, many more in the future.”
Holliday debuted at Fenway Park on April 10, then went 0-for-8 over his first two games vs. Boston. He’s faring much better against the Red Sox this time around, although he wishes Friday’s performance would have come in an O’s win.
“It was pretty awesome to do that against a team that I debuted against and didn’t do quite well,” Holliday said. “It sucks that we lost. It happens.”
Corbin Burnes’ bumpy night
It was unusual to see Burnes have his version of a “bad” outing earlier this month, when he allowed five runs (four earned) over five innings at Cleveland on Aug. 4.
It was even more surprising to see Burnes have the toughest start of his career against Boston on Friday, when he set career highs in runs (eight, all earned) and hits (10) allowed. The 29-year-old ace also went a season-low four innings after completing at least five in each of his first 24 starts during his first year in Baltimore.
What was different about this outing for Burnes?
“Gave up a lot of runs,” Burnes said with a grin.
More specifically, Burnes couldn’t land his breaking pitches for strikes early in counts, despite all 11 of his whiffs coming via his changeup (seven) and slider (four). Because of that, Burnes had to go on attack mode with his cutter, which didn’t seem quite as sharp as it typically has been and was knocked for seven of Boston’s hits.
“I’d rather not have any [tough starts],” Burnes said. “But I guess if we’re going to have one, it’s better to do it in a game in the middle of August vs. coming down the stretch or into the postseason.”
Ramón Urías’ career night
The Orioles had an answer for the Red Sox just about every time they scored, especially late. Boston scored three runs in the top of the seventh, then Baltimore plated three in the bottom half of the frame. The Sox scored one in the eighth, and so did the O’s.
Urías was at the heart of the Orioles’ 17-hit attack, going 3-for-3 with a home run, a walk and a career-high five RBIs. The 30-year-old will be starting a lot at third base with Coby Mayo (Baltimore’s No. 2 prospect, the No. 10 overall) back at Triple-A Norfolk, and it appears Urías could be making the most of the increased opportunities.
“We battled offensively,” Burnes said. “Seemed like every time they scored, we would try to fight back, and we did for the most part. The pitching staff, we just didn’t do a good job tonight.”
Craig Kimbrel's worrisome night
No longer serving in the closer’s role, Kimbrel can’t seem to get on track. The 36-year-old right-hander entered to start the seventh -- when the O’s trailed, 8-6 -- and gave up three runs on a walk and two hits, which were homers by David Hamilton and Jarren Duran.
Over 10 appearances since July 14, Kimbrel has a 10.24 ERA in 9 2/3 innings, with more walks (12) than hits allowed (11).
“The walk, that’s what’s kind of getting him in trouble,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “They just got on his fastball.”