Trey Gibson wanted Camden Yards to feel like a warning track for the White Sox. Instead, the game got away from him almost immediately, and the Orioles never recovered in a 9-3 loss that pushed them a season-high nine games under .500.
Gibson, making his eighth major league appearance, was tagged for eight runs in 2 2/3 innings in his shortest start yet. He allowed seven hits, issued six walks and struck out five on 78 pitches as the White Sox kept stacking baserunners and big swings against him.
The trouble started early. Andrew Benintendi turned a leadoff walk to Kyle Teel into an RBI double down the right field line in the first inning, and Gibson worked through a 24-pitch frame that included two strikeouts.
But the White Sox broke through for good in the third. Colson Montgomery crushed a slider for a 440-foot, two-run homer that landed on Eutaw Street, then the inning kept snowballing.
Two more walks, a bloop single, a two-run single from Jacob Gonzalez and a three-run homer from Junior Perez turned the night into a mess before Gibson could even settle in.
By the time the Orioles manager Craig Albernaz pulled him, seven straight White Sox batters had reached and 10 hitters had come to the plate without Gibson recording his first out of the inning.
Perez later added another blow, launching a first-pitch curveball 409 feet to center for an 8-1 lead. Gibson got the next two outs, walked another batter and headed for the dugout.
The Orioles are now 39-48, and the loss left them in danger of being swept before the off-day.
Montgomery’s blast marked the 137th ball to reach Eutaw Street and the third by a White Sox player.
There’s a decent chance Gibson’s next turn never comes with Baltimore. Dean Kremer could be activated from the injured list to start Wednesday afternoon, and Gibson looks like the obvious roster move if that happens.
He has flashed enough to keep the organization interested, but the numbers haven’t been kind: a 7.36 ERA in 33 innings. More time in Triple-A would fit where he is in his development.
The Orioles did show a little life at the top of the order. Gunnar Henderson opened the bottom of the first with a single after a two-hit night Monday, and Baltimore tied the game when Pete Alonso walked and Samuel Basallo lined a first-pitch cutter into right field for an RBI single. Basallo now has seven RBIs in his last eight games.
Henderson added another hit in the fifth, doubling for his second two-hit game in a row, and scored on Dylan Beavers’ double. Alonso also singled later to trim the deficit to 9-3.
Baltimore’s bullpen at least found some footing after the damage had been done. Albert Suárez covered three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and lowering his ERA to 3.63. On the other side, White Sox rookie left-hander Tyler Schweitzer picked up the save with four scoreless innings after entering the night with just four major league innings on his résumé.
Josh Walker also worked in relief for Baltimore and was charged with a run in the fourth after being recalled yesterday and making back-to-back appearances.
There was also a scoring change from Wednesday’s game in Anaheim: Jeremiah Jackson has been charged with an error on his flip to first base in the 10th inning. Nolan Schanuel was awarded an RBI single after what was ruled a missed catch by Keegan Akin, with a throwing error on Jackson. Schanuel advanced to third and later scored the winning run, which remains unearned.
On the farm, Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Jud Fabian landed on the seven-day concussion injured list. Fabian was hitting .201/.340/.369 with 11 homers, 36 RBIs, 44 walks and 80 strikeouts in 69 games.
Catcher Johnny Tincher was released from Norfolk’s roster.
At High-A Frederick, Yaramil Hiraldo made his first rehab appearance and gave up a solo homer in the sixth inning. Hiraldo opened the season with the Orioles and pitched in three games before going on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Caden Hunter continued his strong run with five scoreless innings, no walks and six strikeouts, dropping his ERA to 1.71.
Right-hander Sayer Diederich was released from Frederick’s roster, infielder Cobb Hightower was reinstated from Single-A Delmarva’s injured list, and Shorebirds pitcher Esteban Mejia was placed on the development list. Mejia, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 6 prospect in the system, was 0-5 with an 8.08 ERA and 2.220 WHIP in 15 appearances, with 57 walks in 42 1/3 innings. The move lets him work on a specialized throwing program while staying in Delmarva.
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With Dean Kremer on the verge of returning from a long absence, the rotation picture only gets more crowded, and it is hard to ignore the case for a six-man setup as the team sorts through a difficult year. Rookie Trey Gibson looks like the easiest arm to option out when that move comes, but the Orioles also have bigger decisions looming if they want to keep evaluating young pitching, including a look at Nestor German after the deadline and a possible bullpen path for Chris Bassitt if he comes back. [Read more 🡒]