[Baltimore Sun] Instant analysis from Orioles’ 2-1 loss to Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of AL wild-card series
Read Time:6 Minute, 53 Second
Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Orioles’ season-ending 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the best-of-three American League wild-card series Wednesday at Camden Yards.
Childs Walker, reporter: After Cedric Mullins’ home run tied the game, the Orioles loaded the bases with no outs. Anthony Santander overswung and popped out. Colton Cowser struck out on a pitch that then hit him. Adley Rutschman grounded out. In the next half-inning, the Royals sandwiched two infield hits around a bloop single to go back up 2-1. That juxtaposition about summed up the terrible frustration of another lost Orioles postseason.
For two games, they pitched well enough to win, but their bats just would not wake up. Zach Eflin did what was expected of him, keeping the Orioles in the game until Brandon Hyde pulled him after four innings. It was an aggressive hook that will be red meat for Hyde’s critics, but he was likely reacting to Eflin’s record of sharply declining success the third time through an order.
Mullins was the only Orioles hitter who brought any thunder to this series, and he earned a deserved roar from the home crowd, putting his dreadful 2023 postseason behind him. He’s an elder statesman who should remain part of the club’s future.
Speaking of that future, the Orioles are in for a long offseason of hard questioning. Will they make a real effort to re-sign Corbin Burnes, who was so good in Game 1? Can they reimagine their bullpen? Why did their lineup lose its punch down the stretch and in the playoffs?
Taylor Lyons, reporter: The season is over. Brandon Hyde is 0-5 in the postseason as a manager. The offense went out like it has for three months. Another brilliant collective pitching performance couldn’t save a dismal lineup that only got one Cedric Mullins homer.
It would be reactionary to say large-scale changes are coming in the weeks ahead, but something must be done to fix what became a dreadful lineup filled with underperformers. While the Orioles scored one run across two games, an even more troubling stat came in the stands. Wednesday was the worst-attended playoff game in Camden Yards history. What’s to stop regular season apathy from setting in amongst this fan base, which is rightfully growing tired and frustrated at their team’s October failures? Anything is on the table for Baltimore this winter, and the offseason is again starting sooner than anticipated.
Sam Cohn, reporter: Ouch. This playoff appearance and these Orioles will long be remembered for what took place in the fifth inning Wednesday night. All their cards were on the table. They had every shot to save to their season and force a Game 3. Cedric Mullins sent Camden Yards into a frenzy with a game-tying home run, ending a 17-inning scoreless streak in the postseason. Then Baltimore loaded the bases, all with no outs. An Anthony Santander popout, Colton Cowser strikeout and Adley Rutschman groundout made the tide-turning opportunity futile. Fans sank back into their seats and the smoke from the center field fireworks long cleared.
In two days of postseason ball, Baltimore got the kind of pitching performances it paid for after acquiring Corbin Burnes in the offseason and Zach Eflin at the trade deadline. It was the inconsistent bats and failure to snowball momentum from one hitter to the next that sent the Orioles to their 10th consecutive playoff loss and fifth under manager Brandon Hyde.
C.J. Doon, editor: A heartbreaking, season-ending loss to a team from Kansas City. Sound familiar?
This is much more shocking than the Ravens’ AFC championship game loss to the Chiefs, however. The Orioles simply didn’t show up. A combined 1-for-19 performance with runners in scoring position? Really? Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo are among the best starting pitchers in baseball and the Royals’ bullpen has been cooking, but this was a Baltimore offense that finished the regular season ranked among the top 10 in batting average, slugging and home runs. Facing quality pitching in the postseason is a given, and shouldn’t be an excuse. The Tigers just swept the Astros with nobody on their roster recording more than 25 home runs or 75 RBIs.
It feels a bit premature to start having a conversation about the Orioles’ coaching staff. Everyone wants to blame the hitting coaches after a performance like this, but the Orioles trust their process and don’t seem keen on making wholesale changes based on two games. The results over a longer sample size speak for themselves, but it’s maddening to see a team with this much young talent look completely overwhelmed at the plate in two straight postseasons. Why did Adley Rutschman look at a 2-0 fastball right down the middle not once, but twice tonight? Some of the swing decisions by the Orioles hitters were baffling, and they paid the price. In their past five playoff games, they’ve scored two or fewer runs in all but one.
Where do we go from here? Are the Orioles just a great regular-season team? Do they need an infusion of veteran talent in free agency? Should manager Brandon Hyde return? Why didn’t more fans show up to these playoff games? All of the sudden, the excitement that has steadily risen after years of losing among a painful rebuild is fading away. A 10-game postseason losing streak will do that.
Related Articles
Orioles’ Colton Cowser exits Game 2 of AL wild-card series with left hand injury
Orioles vs. Royals in Game 2 of AL wild-card series | PHOTOS
Orioles vs. Royals live updates: Kansas City leads 2-1 in Game 2 of AL wild-card series
Orioles on deck: Pitching matchup, lineups and how to watch Game 2 of wild-card series vs. Royals
We tried the new Orioles playoff menu items at Camden Yards. Can we have S’more?
Tim Schwartz, editor: Brutal. Is there any other way to describe this disaster? For the second straight year, the Orioles lay an egg in the postseason and fail to win one game. One measly game. Adley Rutschman looks like a shell of himself. Anthony Santander was swinging for the fences every at-bat. Gunnar Henderson failed to tally a hit. One positive play of the game — Cedric Mullins’ game-tying solo blast — and fans had about 10 minutes to celebrate it before the Royals reclaimed the lead. Baltimore got a pass for last year, being so young and impressing with 101 wins. This year? No chance. This is the type of performance that forces powers that be to make difficult decisions, and everything is on the table after scoring one total run in two playoff games. Not to mention the guy who dominated in Game 1 — Corbin Burnes — is a free agent. Time to shake things up.
Bennett Conlin, editor: Baltimore’s starting pitchers (Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin) performed well enough for the Orioles to be preparing for the American League Division Series right now. Instead, Orioles players need to clean out their lockers.
Wednesday’s game felt eerily similar to Tuesday’s, with the Royals using a run-scoring hit by Bobby Witt Jr. to win a low-scoring game. If you’re an Orioles player or coach, you might lose sleep questioning how this series outcome is possible. Baltimore’s season seriously ended because it couldn’t score more than one run across two home games against an 86-win Kansas City team? That’s unacceptable for a franchise loaded with as much talent as the Orioles currently possess.
The Orioles have unquestionably raised their floor. Baltimore went from losing 110 games in 2021 to three consecutive winning seasons and two consecutive playoff appearances. The Orioles are worth watching, as they’re consistently competent and competitive — at least until they reach the postseason. It’s time for Baltimore to take the next step and stop losing playoff games in the coming seasons.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0