It Took An Earl Weaver Special To Win
The Baltimore Orioles, in come from behind fashion, outlasted the Chicago Cubs (64-46) 4-3 on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Wrigley Field. The win was a result of Gunnar Henderson‘s eighth inning three-run homerun that erased a 3-1 Cubs lead.
The eighth inning began with a Colton Cowser walk. Jeremiah Jackson singled before pinch-hitter Terrin Vavra lined out to short. Jackson Holliday hit into a force out at second and beat the throw to first, avoiding an inning-ending double play. Jordan Westburg knocked in Cowser with a RBI-single and set the stage for Henderson’s blast into the right-center seats.
The Core Group
Much has been made of the Core Group which consists of Cowser, Henderson, Holliday, Adley Rutschman and Westburg, a group that needs to step up and lead the way. Westburg admitted as much when he said before yesterday’s game, “Yeah, the leadership roles fall to us now, right. We gotta kind of pick it up. So I think we’ve got to put on our big-boy shoes, big-boy pants and lead this clubhouse for the last two months of the season.”
The Core Group did that on Saturday, combining for 5 of Baltimore’s 7 hits on the day and accounting for all 4 runs. The question going forward is one of sustainability, can this group alone carry the team the rest of the way?
In the two games post Trade Deadline the group has gone collectively 7 for 35 (.200) with 4 runs scored, 4 RBI, 4 walks, 2 2B and a homerun. Baltimore will need the rest of the lineup to step up and do their part.
Is Sugano Slowing Down?
Tomoyuki Sugano needed 95 pitches (58 K’s) to navigate his 5.0 inning start on Saturday. He allowed 3 runs on 5 hits with a walk and 5 strikeouts and did not factor into the decision. While Sugano pitches topped out at 95 mph he has pitched at least 6.0 innings in just 3 of his last 10 starts.
The Bullpen Gave Them A Chance
Holding the Cubs scoreless was the quartet of Corbin Martin, Grant Wolfram (2-0), Yennier Cano and Keegan Akin. A pair of two out singles against Martin was the only threat Chicago made. Wolfram was credited with the win and Akin earned his first save of the season.
A Hall Of Fame Tribute
The Cubs paid tribute to the recently deceased Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg by having each player on their roster wear a number 23 jersey. Both teams as well as the fans held up Stand Up 2 Cancer memorial name cards after the fourth inning.
2025 Record: 51-60
Next Game: Sun. 8/3 @ 2:20 pm vs. Cubs in Chicago