The Orioles have lost eight consecutive games, failing to score against Milwaukee rookie Logan Henderson in a 5-2 loss. Tomoyuki Sugano, a 35-year-old rookie from Japan, is the Orioles’ most reliable starter, boasting a 4-3 record and a 3.08 ERA. However, he struggles with strikeouts, achieving four or fewer in most outings. The Brewers will send out rookie Chad Patrick, who has a 3.35 ERA but also lacks strikeouts. Both teams feature promising lineups, with notable players like Adley Rutschman for the Orioles and Christian Yelich for the Brewers.
As the season unfolds, if you predicted “The Orioles will lose eight games in a row” on your bingo card, you might just be a bit too cynical. Yet, here we are, after the offense failed to deliver once more last night against Milwaukee rookie Logan Henderson, resulting in a 5-2 defeat.
Interestingly, Tomoyuki Sugano, a 35-year-old rookie from Japan, stands as the closest thing to an ace in this Orioles rotation. In his nine starts, the right-hander boasts a 4-3 record with a 3.08 ERA. He has limited opponents to four runs or fewer each time and completed at least five innings in seven of his nine starts. However, his strikeout numbers are a concern: Sugano has fanned four or fewer batters in all but two outings, with his only notable performances being five strikeouts against the Angels on May 9 and eight against the Yankees during an impressive five-inning shutout on April 28.
The Brewers will respond with another rookie right-hander, Chad Patrick, a 2021 fourth-round pick of Arizona who arrived in Milwaukee through several trades, including one involving former Orioles infielder Jace Peterson. In his nine starts, Patrick has performed well, holding a 3.35 ERA and a 124 ERA+. While considered to have a strong fastball, he hasn’t been striking out many batters, and the contact he gives up has been solid. Could this be the pitcher that finally breaks the Orioles’ slump?
Orioles lineup
1. Jackson Holliday 2B
2. Adley Rutschman C
3. Gunnar Henderson SS
4. Ryan Mountcastle DH
5. Ryan O’Hearn 1B
6. Cedric Mullins CF
7. Emmanuel Rivera 3B
8. Heston Kjerstad LF
9. Dylan Carlson RF
Brewers lineup
1. Brice Turang 2B
2. Jackson Chourio CF
3. Christian Yelich DH
4. Rhys Hoskins 1B
5. Sal Frelick RF
6. Eric Haase C
7. Jake Bauers LF
8. Caleb Durbin 3B
9. Joey Ortiz SS