*FAN SUBMISSION by Tyler Young of Baltimore, Md. Follow him on Twitter @CamdenYdsCrazy.*
Surrendering 12 runs isn’t exactly what a pitching staff has in mind when heading into a game with a division rival. However, that is exactly what happened in Baltimore’s 12-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday night.
The bullpen struggled; Troy Patton and Pedro Strop combined to give up 4 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning, while working two thirds and one third of an inning respectively; each was responsible for 2 runs. Rookie, T.J. McFarland, came in at the start of the 7th inning but fared no better. He was responsible for 4 runs over 2 innings, although only 2 were earned thanks to some faulty fielding by the O’s normally strong defense.
The story of this game before and after was Orioles rookie right-hander Kevin Gausman.
The 22-year-old out of Louisiana State University, who made is Major League debut, didn’t have a statistically dazzling night. His line looked like this: 5 innings, 4 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks on 89 pitches (58 strikes). Those are really nothing more than below average numbers, but the stuff Gausman brought was nonetheless impressive.
He hit 99 mph a couple times with his fastball that flattened out a few times; it was by far his best pitch. He also mixed in his change and slider. Hitters weren’t biting on his other stuff, yet he got through the first 3 innings unscathed.
Manager Buck Showalter was impressed saying, ”I like the way he presented himself…You could see his presence. I’m proud of him.”
Gausman gave himself a thumbs up and attributed a lot to the hitters calling them “so good, it’s kind of crazy.” He referred to the night as “definitely a learning experience.”
Courtesy: CNN/Sports Illustrated
Overall, the kid had ups and downs against a Toronto lineup with some heavy hitters. His stuff is something that the Orioles haven’t had at the major league level in a very long time, if ever. He looked better than Dylan Bundy did during his late season cup of coffee last September. The stuff is all there to succeed in the big leagues and so is the opportunity. Wei Yin Chen is on the DL, the Orioles have lost faith in Zach Britton and Jake Arrieta, Bundy is still waiting to start his season, and the rest of the rotation is a roller-coaster ride. The time is now for the righty to take hold and make the future now in Baltimore.
According to FOX reporter Ken Rosenthal’s twitter, Gausman is highly regarded around the league. Rosenthal tweeted the following: “Text from scout: “I am watching the best arm in baseball – Kevin Gausman!” #Orioles”
Gausman is in the rotation for the time being and is expected to make his next scheduled start in an Oriole uniform against the Nationals next week, a game I’m sure many Baltimore fans will make the pilgrimage to see.
