The Baltimore Orioles suffered an 8-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, marred by poor defense and ineffective hitting. Despite starting strong, the Orioles struggled with fielding errors and costly mistakes that allowed the Royals to capitalize. The game was tight early on but unraveled in the eighth inning when Cionel Pérez struggled significantly, giving up five runs.
The Orioles’ issues began in the first inning when a fly ball by Salvador Perez should have ended the inning, but Heston Kjerstad misjudged it, allowing a run to score. The Orioles briefly took the lead but continued to make unforced errors. One key moment came when Tyler O’Neill was thrown out at the plate after a poor send from the third base coach, and a failed challenge by manager Brandon Hyde added to the frustration.
Dean Kremer, who started on the mound, gave up an early run but settled in for a while. However, mistakes on defense, including an error by Gunnar Henderson, allowed the Royals to take a 3-2 lead. Despite some good relief pitching from Gregory Soto and Seranthony Domínguez, the Orioles’ inability to generate offense and Pérez’s struggles led to the eventual blowout.
Pérez, who had been excellent in 2022, continued to struggle with control, and his inability to get outs in the eighth inning sealed the Orioles’ fate. His disastrous outing allowed three runs on a weak fly ball, adding to the growing deficit. The Orioles were unable to mount any significant offensive rally, with just two baserunners between the fifth and ninth innings.
With the game slipping away, the Orioles were unable to recover and lost 8-2. The defeat, played in difficult weather against a team the Orioles have struggled with, was disappointing but represents just the eighth game of the season. Baltimore will look to bounce back in the next contest.
