Good morning, Camden Chatters.
You know, there’s just something about an Opening Day that brings out the best in the Orioles.
Four days after starting their season with a high-scoring win in Toronto, the O’s repeated the feat at their own home opener in Baltimore. The Birds scored early and late — four runs apiece in the first and eighth innings — to stave off the Red Sox in front of a jubilant, sellout crowd of 45,002 at Camden Yards.
There was a lot to celebrate. The O’s bashed 15 hits and went 6-for-15 with runners in scoring position, scoring all eight runs without the benefit of a homer. Félix Bautista received a well-earned standing ovation in his return to the Oriole Park mound, despite an outing that wasn’t the smoothest. And even the rain in the forecast kindly held off for the entirety of the game, making for beautiful baseball weather in Baltimore. Check out John Beers’ recap of a day full of fun.
The Orioles needed that game to lift their spirits after an ugly end to the opening series in Toronto, in which they lost the finale and both Colton Cowser and Albert Suárez to injuries. They’ve now got an entire starting rotation on the IL — Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Trevor Rogers, and Suárez — along with their best hitter in Gunnar Henderson and a key contributor in Cowser. The Orioles’ depth is being tested much earlier than they would have hoped, but so far they’re powering through.
Next comes the most annoying part of opening day in Baltimore: the scheduled off day immediately afterward. I get why it’s built into the schedule, as a potential makeup date in case the opener gets washed out, but it’s a real momentum killer right after a feel-good win. So tonight go enjoy whatever it is people do when there’s no baseball, then we’ll see you tomorrow when the Orioles face Garrett Crochet in game two against the Sox.
Links
Orioles use pair of four-run innings to defeat Red Sox 8-5 in home opener (updated) – School of Roch
The Orioles apparently have a new celebratory gimmick that involves casting an imaginary fishing pole and reeling in teammates. It has potential, but I do wonder how a team named after a bird keeps ending up with so many water-themed celebrations.
Here’s the walk-up song for every Orioles player starting Monday – The Baltimore Banner
Really, Dylan Carlson? I know you had to pick a song on short notice, but…Kanye West?
Colton Cowser placed on injured list with left thumb fracture – MLB.com
It’s going to be a good long while before we see Cowser in the O’s lineup again. Let this be a lesson to you, kids: never slide into first base!
If Cedric Mullins just played his last Orioles home opener, he made it count – The Baltimore Sun
Well, now I’m just sad.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! And happy 30th birthday to Keegan Akin, the O’s second round pick in 2016 who has settled into a major league role as a solid reliever. Akin had a sneaky-good season in 2024 and has started this year with three scoreless appearances. Former Orioles born on April Fools’ Day include outfielder Rich Amaral (63) and left-hander Mike Kinnunen (67).
On this date in 1958, the Orioles traded Hall of Famer Larry Doby back to Cleveland, where he had begun his MLB career — and broken the American League’s color barrier — 11 years earlier. Doby never actually played a game for the Orioles; they had acquired him from the White Sox in a seven-player trade in December, but dealt him away just before the ‘58 season began.
And on this day in 2009, the O’s traded their failed former #1 pitching prospect Hayden Penn to the Marlins for infielder Robert Andino, a move that seemed inconsequential at the time but became the stuff of legends two years later. I never miss an opportunity to post this clip.
