HOUSTON -- This week’s Orioles-Astros series at Minute Maid Park represented a potential postseason preview -- perhaps even a glimpse into what the American League Championship Series could look like. Baltimore, which owns the best record in the AL, went toe-to-toe with defending World Series champion Houston.
It was a disappointing end to the three-game set for the Orioles, who took a 2-1 loss in Wednesday afternoon’s finale. Baltimore’s taxed bullpen couldn’t protect a one-run lead in the eighth, and then Mauricio Dubón ended it with a walk-off RBI single against left-hander Danny Coulombe in the ninth.
However, the O’s still took two of three. So if this actually had been a postseason series, they’d be the team moving on. And that was enough of a positive to soften the blow of a tough loss.
“Any time you go on the road and get two out of three in Houston, it’s a big deal,” infielder Adam Frazier said. “It’s a little bitter because we felt like we were right there to get the sweep, but that’s a good team over there. To hold them down like we did, that’s a pretty good job by our pitchers.”
- Games remaining (10): at CLE (4), vs. WSH (2), vs. BOS (4)
- Standings update: The Orioles (95-57) and the Rays (93-60) are in a tight race atop the American League East, with Tampa Bay 2 1/2 games back. However, should that gap tighten further, Baltimore owns the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series between the two teams, 8-5. The AL East champion will be the No. 1 seed and get a bye into the best-of-five Division Series. If the O’s fall out of first place, they will be the No. 4 seed and host a best-of-three Wild Card Series at Camden Yards.
- Magic number for AL East: 7
The Orioles, who clinched a postseason berth on Sunday, carried over the positive vibes from their champagne celebration by notching a thrilling 8-7 victory over the Astros on Monday. Then, they won again, 9-5, on Tuesday.
Kyle Bradish pitched well enough for Baltimore to win Wednesday. In fact, the 27-year-old right-hander was outstanding -- but that shouldn’t come as a surprise, as he’s been dominant against Houston over his first two big league seasons.
“He pitches well against good teams because he’s got big-time stuff,” manager Brandon Hyde said.
With six scoreless frames, Bradish preserved his 0.00 career ERA vs. the Astros, as he hasn’t allowed a run in 22 2/3 innings against them. He allowed only two hits and two walks while striking out nine in a stellar outing.
Bradish has emerged as the clear rotation leader in the second half while also becoming an AL Cy Young Award contender. He has a 2.65 ERA over 12 outings after the All-Star break, and his 3.01 season ERA ranks third in the AL behind only the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole (2.81) and the Twins’ Sonny Gray (2.84).
If the Orioles have the luxury of lining up their rotation how they’d like to open the postseason, then Bradish should start Game 1 (whether that’s in the ALDS or the AL Wild Card Series). If he faces the Astros at any point, he’ll be ready for the assignment.
“I know they’ve got really good players, one through nine. I’ve just got to focus that much more,” Bradish said. “They’re probably going to be the No. 2 seed. Hopefully, we’ll see them again. This is a good atmosphere. Their pitching staff, hitters, it’s a complete team. It was a good test.”
Baltimore will ideally have a fresher bullpen when it faces tough teams -- such as Houston -- in the postseason. Two of its top relievers, All-Star right-hander Yennier Cano and lefty Cionel Pérez, were unavailable Wednesday after pitching each of the previous three days. All-Star closer Félix Bautista (partial right UCL tear) remains on the injured list, although he could be an option for October.
In the eighth, Shintaro Fujinami issued two walks while throwing 10 balls and two strikes and recording only one out. He was charged with allowing the tying run, which scored on Jeremy Peña’s RBI double off righty Mike Baumann.
“It’s about throwing strikes with him,” Hyde said of Fujinami. “Today, it was a lot of arm-side misses. His stuff’s good when it’s in the strike zone.”
Coulombe, who was pitching for the third time in four days, allowed a leadoff double to Yainer Diaz in the ninth before Dubón’s winning hit with one out.
The Orioles would have preferred a happier ending and a series sweep. But with only 10 games to go in the regular season, they’re pleased about their recent play amid their pursuit of their first AL East title since 2014, particularly in the matchups vs. the Astros.
“They’re the defending champs over there, so we know what they’re capable of,” Frazier said. “Everybody knows that, though. There’s a good chance we’ll see them again in a couple of weeks. Until then, we’ve got to finish strong.”