Baltimore - A Day at Oriole Park
On a sun-drenched Sunday afternoon, baseball returned to Oriole Park, delighting 8,948 fans who soaked in the unseasonably warm 78-degree weather. This was more than just a game; it was a celebration of the park's upgrades, including a booming sound system and an impressive new scoreboard, set to fully debut on Thursday against the Twins.
Kyle Bradish, the Orioles' No. 2 starter, was impressed by the revamped surroundings. "I checked everything out, and it looked amazing," he shared. The crowd, though modest, brought a regular-season energy, especially when Pete Alonso stepped up for his first at-bat.
Outfielder Colton Cowser captured the vibe perfectly: "A little bit of extra juice, but nothing like what Opening Day is going to feel like."
As the Orioles wrapped up their Grapefruit League season, manager Craig Albernaz expressed his fondness for Camden Yards. "I love this place," he said. "It was awesome ... kind of like a hybrid between spring training and a real game."
On the Field: Orioles vs. Nationals
Bradish shone on the mound, allowing just four hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in an 8-1 victory over the Nationals. With a spring ERA of 2.35, Bradish is set to pitch against the Twins next Saturday. "Got through it healthy, and now we’re good," he remarked, reflecting on his comeback from Tommy John surgery.
The Orioles' bats were lively, with Cowser and Gunnar Henderson homering off Mitchell Parker. Cowser's shot even reached Eutaw Street, though it won't be commemorated with a plaque since it wasn't a regular-season game. "I might just go put my own sticker out there," Cowser joked.
Despite hitting .227 in exhibition games, Cowser focused on refining his approach. "It boils down to what I’m trying to accomplish," he explained.
Jeremiah Jackson added to the offensive showcase with a three-run homer in the eighth. "All in all, it feels like a pretty good spring training," Jackson said, hitting .333 with an .898 OPS.
The game featured key regulars, with substitutions typical of spring training. Taylor Ward was absent, celebrating the birth of his third child, while Cowser and Leody Taveras patrolled the outfield.
In the bullpen, Rico Garcia, Jackson Kowar, and Ryan Helsley delivered solid outings, though minor leaguer Ryan Long conceded a homer to Daylen Lile.
Injury Update and Player Spotlight
Luis Vázquez took a pitch to the thumb, requiring sutures and an X-ray on Monday. Meanwhile, 24-year-old infielder Coby Mayo is making waves with a .389 average and a 1.039 OPS this spring.
Set to start at third base for the injured Jordan Westburg, Mayo reflected on his growth: "A year ago, I wasn’t very confident ... I think just some hard work and a little bit of confidence can boost how you feel at the plate, how you feel on the field."
Looking Ahead
The Orioles' new seating capacity stands at 42,455, and their record sits at 12-13-3. They face the Nationals next, with Shane Baz slated to start. As the season approaches, the excitement is palpable, with fans and players eager to see what unfolds.