The Orioles were unable to complete the double-header sweep as a spot start from Povich went sideways due to both his own struggles with command and subpar shortstop play.
The nearly two-hour rain delay was sadly not worth it as the Orioles lost game two of the day 8-4 to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cade Povich was called upon to make a spot start here, perhaps hoping to put forth a performance worthy of a return to the rotation. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
Over 4.1 innings the rookie struggled mightily with command and failed to miss enough bats. Povich issued five walks, coughed up seven hits, and recorded only one strikeout. And the defense behind him was not particularly helpful. Jordan Westburg, filling in at shortstop to give Gunnar Henderson a rare breather, made two flubs that led to runs.
Early on though, the game was back-and-forth.
The Blue Jays used two doubles to score in the top of the first. Colton Cowser struck back in the bottom of the frame with a massive solo shot to tie it at 1-1.
The visitors scored twice more in the second. That included the first Westburg miscue, this one a fielding error that came after Povich had successfully picked off the runner at first, Ryan O’Hearn threw to Westburg covering second to record the out, and he simply missed the catch.
At least Westburg atoned for his sin in the bottom of the inning. After O’Hearn led off with a double (that he reached third on thanks to some Davis Schneider trouble in right field), Westburg walloped a two-run bomb to knot things at three runs apiece.
Toronto was back to scoring in the fourth. Once again, Westburg opened the door with his second error, a wild throw over O’Hearn at first base to begin the frame. The Jays made it hurt by driving that runner in and then one more later in the inning.
Povich continued into the fifth inning, but only recorded one out and was lifted with two runners on base. Jacob Webb came on, allowed one of them to score, and that closed the book on Povich.
The rookie was not good. But he may have gone further had Westburg not being playing shortstop. That’s not meant as a slight to Westburg. He was only there due to a game off for Henderson and an IL stint for Jorge Mateo. He looked uncomfortable, and that manifested itself in multiple crucial errors.
The O’s offense did fight back late in the game. They had the makings of a rally going in the seventh. Two of the first three batters reached base and Cowser cashed in with his second RBI of the evening. But that’s all they would get.
Cole Irvin had himself an impressive night on the bump. The lefty came in to eat innings, and that he did. He stuck around for three frames, struck five, and the only run he gave up was a laser beam home run from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Irvin still got hit a bit, but he avoided walks. That is a requirement for him and his finesse approach.
Brandon Hyde attempted to get his closer, Craig Kimbrel, some work in fairly low leverage. His number was called for the ninth inning, down three runs. But it would be anything but a confidence builder. Kimbrel issued a walk and served up a double to Guerrero to extend the Toronto lead even further. His ERA is up to 3.46 at the back of the Orioles’ bullpen. The front office is still looking for bullpen help, right?
That was it. The O’s were unable to score again, falling 8-4 in the second half of the double-header.
Cowser was the standout. Is he in contention for lead-off duties moving forward? His bat is certainly hot, and it might give Henderson more RBI chances if that becomes the daily lineup.
Irvin deserves a separate shoutout as well. He’s been a good soldier for this team, regardless of recent struggles. It’s possible his days as an Oriole are numbered with the club reportedly in pursuit of both rotation and bullpen arms. If that is the case, he went out on a high.
These two teams continue the series on Tuesday. First pitch is right after the trade deadline arrives, so there could be changes to come on both sides. For now, Corbin Burnes will start for the Birds. He will be opposed by Chris Bassett. First pitch is 6:35 from the Yard.