Monday night's game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angelinos featured a captivating mix of individual excellence and team effort, culminating in a memorable 4-2 Orioles victory.
Albert Suárez's return to the Major League spotlight Major League Baseball after nearly seven years was nothing short of remarkable. In his first start with the Orioles, Suarez turned in a stellar performance on the mound, pitching 5 2/3 innings allowing no runs, striking out five batters, giving up two walks and conceding just four hits.
Suarez and Kimbrel Essential
Suarez's return was characterized by accuracy and adaptability, as he showed a wide variety of pitches, generating 16 failed swings out of 89 pitches.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde praised Suarez's strategic adjustments, which played a crucial role in stifling the Los Angeles offense. Working in tandem with catcher James McCann, Suarez effectively used a mix of swings and cuts to keep opposing hitters off balance.
While Suarez dominated the mound, the Orioles lineup provided solid offensive support. Contributions from Colton Cowser, Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman and James McCann bolstered the team's efforts, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion.
In a tense bottom of the ninth inning, closer Craig Kimbrel secured the victory for the Orioles with a stellar performance, marking a significant milestone in his career. With his 423rd save, Kimbrel surpassed Billy Wagner for seventh place on the American League/National League all-time list, underscoring his status as one of the game's elite closers.
Kimbrel's humility in reflecting on his accomplishment speaks volumes about the selfless attitude that permeates the Orioles' team culture. In addition, recent accolades such as Jordan Westburg's recognition as American League Player of the Week further highlight the team's resurgence as a formidable force in the league.
This collective excellence, not seen since 1981, signifies the Orioles' potential to consistently contend in the future.
Albert Suárez picked up his first win since June 23, 2016 last night. pic.twitter.com/5Y5hmroGWZ
- Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 23, 2024
The Slow Recovery of Kyle Bradish
The Orioles have had success on the field, however they have faced significant challenges in their pitching staff this season, particularly with the rehabilitation of star pitcher Kyle Bradish.
Bradish's recovery from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) suffered during spring training has been closely monitored by the organization.
His progress has been encouraging, but there is a degree of cautious optimism due to the mixed results of his performances. Bradish's absence, along with two other starting pitchers, has strained the Orioles bullpen, resulting in roster limitations and pitching problems.
Even with these obstacles, the Orioles maintain a respectable 15-7 record, putting them on a trajectory for an impressive 108 wins this season. Bradish, seen as a crucial figure in the improving rotation, has shown promising signs during his rehab openings.
Although initially anticipated for May, the timeline for his return remains flexible, with the possibility of additional rehab openings to mitigate the risk of further injury.
The team's handling of Bradish's rehabilitation reflects a broader strategy of careful management and long-term planning.
As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Bradish's journey back to the mound, which symbolizes not only the return of a player but also the Orioles' approach to overcoming challenges and pursuing success.