The Orioles lost to the Guardians 4-2, largely due to a critical pitch from Dean Kremer. Despite a strong start, Kremer's performance faltered, leading to the defeat.
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CLEVELAND — Through four innings Saturday, Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer was as good as he’s ever been in the month of April.
The seven-year veteran has long struggled in the opening month of the season, entering the contest against the Guardians with a 6.12 ERA in April versus a 3.88 ERA after May.
But Kremer didn’t just look like his non-April self. He pitched like someone who’s found another gear. The 30-year-old right-hander didn’t allow a run or a hit through four frames thanks to a nasty splitter and an increased strikeout rate.
Then Kremer made one bad pitch in the fifth inning, and it was the difference in the game as the Orioles lost, 4-2, to the Guardians for the second time in three nights.
Kremer tried to blow a fastball past Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio, and the No. 9 hitter kept his hands inside and clobbered it for a three-run homer. Kremer’s splitter was nearly unhittable Saturday, and he made Rocchio look foolish on a swing-and-miss on a 2-1 splitter.
But Kremer and catcher Samuel Basallo decided to go with a heater on the next pitch, and Rocchio made them pay. Before the pitch, it appeared as if Basallo was still clicking the buttons on his PitchCom with about three seconds left on the clock. He then signaled for Kremer to step off the mound just as the pitcher started his delivery.
Aside from the one bad pitch, Kremer was superb, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings. He threw his splitter 47% of the time and got 11 swings and misses with it on 23 swings — an eye-popping whiff rate of 48%.
Through two starts since rejoining the Orioles after opening the season in Triple-A, Kremer has a 4.09 ERA and an impressive 37% strikeout rate.
Leody Taveras gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with a solo homer off , who struck out 11 across seven frames. Taveras has been one of the Orioles’ best players this year — a surprise after he signed for only $2 million this offseason following the worst season of his career.
The final score was 4-2 in favor of the Guardians.
Dean Kremer pitched four scoreless innings without allowing a hit, showcasing improved performance.
Kremer has a 6.12 ERA in April, significantly higher than his 3.88 ERA in months following April.
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After the Orioles fell down 3-1, they came within one after Gunnar Henderson’s solo shot off Hunter Gaddis. The right-handed reliever struck out Henderson on Friday — before Baltimore’s miraculous comeback thanks to Jeremiah Jackson’s clutch homer — and the Orioles shortstop threw his bat and helmet in frustration. He got his revenge with his big fly to right field, Henderson’s seventh of the season.
Albert Suárez gave up a solo homer to Bo Naylor in the eighth inning to double the Orioles’ deficit. Cleveland closer Cade Smith then slammed the door in the ninth by striking out the side in order.
Baltimore’s bats recorded only four hits while striking out 16 times and walking only once. Pete Alonso and Colton Cowser both went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts.
The Orioles fall to 10-11 and have lost four of their past five games. They’ll have a chance to salvage the series with a split Sunday afternoon.