Orioles look to 'reset' against Rangers with season on the line - ESPN

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles are one game away from playoff elimination, but they can perhaps take solace in one of the most impressive aspects of their 101-win season: They weren't sweep in a series all season. Indeed, they haven't been swept in a series since catcher Adley Rutschman was called up in late May of 2022.

«It's a pretty a significant feat to go that long without it happening,» outfielder Austin Hays said following Sunday's 11-8 loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. «I think it's a byproduct of us being able to always turn the page and move on from what happened the day before. Just reset and focus on the next game.»

Of course, the Orioles will not just need to avoid a sweep. They'll have to win three games in a row to move on. They'll also have to do it after a poor pitching performance on Sunday. Orioles pitchers walked 11 batters, including Corey Seager a postseason record five times. Eight pitchers combined to throw 206 pitches. Rookie starter Grayson Rodriguez, who had been so good in the second half with a 2.58 ERA, struggled with his fastball command and got knocked out in a five-run second inning, issuing four walks and six hits while recording just five outs.

Mitch Garver added a third-inning grand slam to give the Rangers a 9-2 and a late Baltimore rally in the ninth inning fell short.

«Our backs are against the wall right now and tonight wasn't our best night on the mound,» Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. «We haven't played our two best games here. We played well on the road all year, so hopefully we can play well on the road.»

The odds are against the Orioles mounting a series comeback. The Rangers are the 32nd team to win the first two games of a