Orioles drop #49 , and my Challenge to this Team Resets and Remains…

May 23, 2025

The game was messy—sloppy defense and questionable base-running. My challenge to this Orioles team resets and remains : string together 10 straight clean defensive games.

**Defense**: Mateo's error was pivotal. Physical miscues happen, but his technique—dropping to both knees on a routine play—was poor. The misplay extended the inning, letting the 8-hole hitter reach with two outs, forcing extra pitches from Povich and flipping the lineup. The Red Sox would go on to have their leadoff batter leadoff 2 more innings before the big 6th inning where their heart of the order poured it on. Can’t be giving big league rosters extra outs and beating themselves on defense. Big league teams capitalize on extra outs…Holliday bobbled a ball up the middle, and Adley, on one knee, failed to block a pitch in the dirt, allowing a runner to take second. Small mistakes like these pile up… Mullins makes a smart throw to try and get the run at home and Adley drops it - that would have kept it within one swing ball game. That run scored making it a 4 run game, then Devers extends the lead making it a 5 run game.

**Positives**: Kjerstad’s run-saving play was excellent. Mullins showed veteran instincts, holding off a risky throw to third on Story, keeping the double play alive and limiting damage. Povich fielded his position well, and Kjerstad’s hustle, backed up by Mullins in the 5th, contained further trouble.

**Base-running**: As an advocate for aggressive base running, I’m not going to lay into the youngster too hard. That said, Holliday’s steal attempt was aggressive but poorly timed. With Bello struggling, it felt forced. No trail runner moved, suggesting it wasn’t a called double steal—Holliday appeared to have went rogue, catching his teammate off guard. At second, he was already in scoring position. Stealing third in that spot needs a runner advancing behind or a guaranteed success. A base hit would’ve scored him anyway, but he bailed Bello out with O’Hearn looming. If you go on your own, you can’t get caught.

**Pitching**: Povich’s leadoff walk in the 4th to a speedy, struggling Story —make him earn it with the bat. That runner scored. His high breaking ball was unconventional but effective. Solid outing overall, though more length would’ve helped with a doubleheader looming, but gave this team a chance. Not going into the bullpen - a topic I specifically felt this team should have addressed, even wrote about it in my applications to multiple positions with the Orioles FO / baseball ops. Fell on deaf ears.

**Offense**: The O’s failed to capitalize in the 4th. I felt a Mullins bunt could’ve turned up the pressure. Went a little lifeless in the middle innings. Showed some life in the 8th.

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-Chris Boz

Failure to plan is planning to fail. Remain resolved in your pursuits.

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