The lowest point came when the Orioles had the bases loaded and Roark hit Wieters with a pitch, forcing in Chris Davis from third. Now that he’s healthy and under the tutelage of first base coach Davey Lopes, he’s returned to being a significant threat on the basepaths.
Advertisement
Hyun Sook Kim singled to left with one down and scored the easy way when Manny Machado hit a 2-0 fastball over the left field bullpen in the next at bat. The O’s won Monday’s game, 4-3.
So of course, the Orioles respond by winning the first two games against the National League East leading Washington Nationals. 4-1 Orioles after one.
Milwaukee matched its moderate season-high of four straight wins by defeating Colorado 7-1, powered by two home runs from Ryan Braun. Although he gave up four runs, the right-hander went deep into the game against a power-hitting contender. Washington has an eye for the strike zone, ranking fourth in the NL with 3.5 walks per game. Still 5-2 Orioles. Despite Trea Turner going 4-for-4, the Nats offense couldn’t get much going against Kevin Gausman as the O’s won the second game of the series, 8-1.
Ben Revere is hitting.333 in 12 at-bats against the right-hander while Daniel Murphy is 3-for-11 with one homer. Wieters hit his 11th homer, a drive to center field off Blake Treinen.
Zach Britton was summoned and Harper singled to left. Wilson Ramos holds 123 hits with 53 runs, 19 homers and 67 RBI. That ties a Nationals record from 2005 to present and also ties a Montreal/Washington franchise record, as Andrew Dawson reached base in eight straight plate appearances in 1983.
Baltimore took both of the first two games of the “Battle of the Beltways” or whatever they call it, after taking four of six with Washington last season.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Nationals are -155 money line favorites versus the Orioles, who have odds of +140 to pull off the upset tonight in D.C. With Wade Miley set to take on Tanner Roark in the pitching matchup, the over/under for tonight’s game sits at 8.5 runs.
The Nationals’ +137 run differential was also the second-best in the majors, behind only the Cubs’ major league-leading +214 run differential.
3B Anthony Rendon restored the one-run lead with a leadoff home run in the top of the fourth inning but the Orioles had the right answer in the bottom of the frame. It’s the first four-hit night of the youngster’s career.
On Wednesday afternoon, Washington Nationals Manager Dusty Baker was asked whether possessing an eight-game cushion in the National League East in late August altered how the Nationals were navigating the schedule and resting players.
Advertisement
Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky will throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game this week.
