The Baltimore Orioles conjured up some Eighth Inning Magic as the bats were able to break out in a big way in the 5-3 victory over the Washington Nationals (4-7) in Major League Baseball action at Nationals Park.
Washington Nationals starter Austin Voth had the Baltimore bats off balance, turning in an impressive five inning, five strikeout performance on the mound. Things had looked good for the reigning champs as Juan Soto hit a monster shot in the Bottom of the Second Inning. Eric Thames laced a double to center field to put the home side ahead.
Baltimore was able to just hang tight and stay in the game, until the eighth inning when the bats once again came to life.
It was back-to-back homers by Pat Valaika and Pedro Severino got the comeback magic going for the Birds in the Top of the Eighth Inning. The Orioles continued to get clutch hitting as Anthony Santander hit a three run bomb to make the score 5-3.
Baltimore was able to make some history with the long ball as the back-to-back shots by Valaika and Severino, helped the O’s become the first team with consecutive pinch-hit homers since the Giants accomplished the feat on September 3, 2018.
Thus far the Orioles have hit 21 homers as a team, more than all but three American League clubs. They rank fourth in the AL in team on-base percentage and third in slugging.
Prior to the start of the game against the Nationals the Orioles called up lefty Keegan Akin from their training site in Bowie, Md. Akin is the first to receive the call is the team’s Number 13 prospect. Akin who had seen time with the Norfolk Tides held a 6-7 record with a 4.73 ERA. The year prior during his time with Double-A Bowie, Akin went 14-7 with a 3.27 ERA, earning the organization’s pitcher of the year honors.
The Orioles and the Nationals will conclude this three-game series tomorrow (Sunday) at Nationals Park, as Baltimore will send Asher Wojciechowski (0-2, 5.40 ERA to the mound. In his MLB Career, Wojciechowski holds a 8-14 record with a 5.74 ERA. According to reports Wojciechowski will combine with Akin who may make his Major League Baseball Debut on Sunday for the O’s The Baltimore bats will be taking on the always tough Stephen Strasburg (0-0), who hasn’t had a chance to make his 2020 debut as he has been dealing with a hand injury.
Fans wanting to watch the game between the Orioles and the Nationals can do so on the MASN and MASN 2 networks, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:35 p.m.
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