Baltimore at Toronto

Baltimore at Toronto

This is Missed It. Baltimore at Toronto, Saturday, September 12, 74 and partly cloudy at Rogers Centre, with the Orioles. You missed it? Here's the whole game, as it happened.

Pregame

We're back at it in Toronto for game two of this three-game set. We came in having taken the first one, and we're sitting at seventy-two and seventy-six, just three games back of that last wild card spot. Toronto is seventy-three and seventy-five, two games back themselves, and they're right there with us in the race. This is a big one for both sides. We've got the ball first, and we need to keep the momentum going.

Top 1: A Walk Loads the Bases, But We Can't Cash In

The top of the first starts with a little bit of life. We get two outs on the board, but then we start to put something together. Gunnar Henderson works a walk to load the bases, with Pete Alonso on third and Coby Mayo on second. This is exactly what we want. We've got the heart of the order coming up, and we're putting pressure on their starter early. The crowd is buzzing, we're buzzing. But we just can't get that big hit to break through. We leave them stranded, and we come away empty. It's a missed opportunity, but the inning ends scoreless, and we're still tied at zero.

Bot 1: Toronto Strikes First, and Then Again

Toronto answers right back in the bottom half. With one out and a runner on, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. steps in, and he rips a sharp line drive to right field. Heston Kjerstad gives it a chase, but it gets by him, and Brett Bateman comes around to score. Just like that, we're down one. But they're not done. Alejandro Kirk follows it up with a line drive of his own to right, and Guerrero Jr. comes in to score. Two runs on the board for them, and we're suddenly in a hole. We needed to get out of that first clean, and we didn't. It's two-nothing, and we've got some work to do.

Top 2: Quick and Quiet

We come back up in the second, and we're looking to answer. But it's a quick inning. Three batters, three outs, no real threats. We're not making solid contact, and we're not getting on base. It's a frustrating stretch, because we had that chance in the first, and now we're just giving them the momentum. We need to start putting together some better at-bats.

Bot 2: A Clean Frame

Toronto comes up in the bottom of the second, and we finally get a clean inning. Four batters, no runs, no damage. We're keeping it at two-nothing, and we're giving ourselves a chance to get back into this thing. It's not the prettiest start, but we're still in it.

Top 3: Still Searching

We're back up in the top of the third, and we're still looking for that first hit, that first run. But it's another quick inning. Three batters, no runs. We're not threatening, and Toronto is starting to look comfortable. We need to make an adjustment, because this is starting to slip away.

Bot 3: The Roof Caves In

And then the bottom of the third happens. Brett Bateman leads off the inning, and he launches a fly ball to right center field. It's gone. Just like that, it's three-nothing. We're trying to catch our breath, but they keep coming. With one out and a runner on, Alejandro Kirk steps in again, and he does it again. A fly ball to left center, and it's out of here. George Springer scores, and it's five-nothing. The roof has caved in. We're down five, and we've got to find a way to stop the bleeding.

Top 4: A Spark of Life

We come back up in the top of the fourth, and we finally get something going. Gunnar Henderson leads off with a double to right field. It's a start. Then Christian Encarnacion-Strand steps in, and he hits a ground ball to third. It gets by Kazuma Okamoto, and it's a fielding error. Henderson comes around to score, and we're on the board. It's five to one. It's not the prettiest run, but we'll take it. We've got a pulse now. We just need to keep building on it.

Bot 4: Holding the Line

Toronto comes up in the bottom of the fourth, and we need a shutdown inning. We get it. Three batters, no runs. We're keeping it at five to one, and we're giving ourselves a chance. We've got the middle of the order coming up, and we need to start putting some rallies together.

Top 5: Another Quiet Frame

We're back up in the top of the fifth, and we're trying to chip away. But it's another quick inning. Four batters, no runs. We're not getting the big hit when we need it, and the clock is ticking. We're down four, and we need to start making some noise.

Bot 5: A Much-Needed Zero

Toronto comes up in the bottom of the fifth, and we finally get another clean inning. Three batters, no runs. We're keeping it at five to one, and we're still in this thing. We just need one big inning to get back into it.

Top 6: A Double, But Nothing More

We're back up in the top of the sixth, and we're trying to get something going. With two outs and a runner on, Jeremiah Jackson steps in, and he rips a double to center field. Christian Encarnacion-Strand moves to third. We've got two runners in scoring position with two outs. This is our chance. But we can't cash in. We leave them stranded, and we come away empty. It's still five to one, and we're running out of time.

Bot 6: They Answer Right Back

And Toronto answers right back. With one out and a runner on, Andrés Giménez steps in, and he doubles to right field. Josh Smith comes around to score, and it's six to one. We had a chance to cut into the lead, and instead, they've extended it. This is a tough one to swallow. We're down five, and we're running out of innings.

Top 7: A Glimmer of Hope

But we don't quit. We come back up in the top of the seventh, and we finally get the big hit we've been looking for. With one out and a runner on, Pete Alonso steps in, and he launches a fly ball to left field. It's gone. Yohel Pozo scores, and it's six to three. We're back in this thing. The dugout is alive, the fans are on their feet. We've got life. Jackson Holliday follows with a ground out, but we've cut the lead to three, and we've got some momentum.

Bot 7: They Take It Right Back

But Toronto answers again. With one out and the bases loaded, Ernie Clement steps in, and he hits a sacrifice fly to center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tags up and scores. It's seven to three. They've taken the momentum right back. We're down four, and we're running out of time.

Top 8: Nothing Doing

We come back up in the top of the eighth, and we need a rally. But it's another quick inning. Three batters, no runs. We're not getting anything going, and the clock is ticking. We're down four, and we've got one more chance.

Bot 8: A Final Stand

Toronto comes up in the bottom of the eighth, and we need to keep it where it is. We get four batters, no runs. We're keeping it at seven to three, and we're giving ourselves one last shot.

Top 9: The Last Chance

We come up in the top of the ninth, and we're down four. We need a miracle. Four batters come up, and we can't get anything going. No runs. The game ends, and it's a tough one to take. We had our chances, but we just couldn't get the big hit when we needed it.

Wrap-up

That one hurts. We fall to Toronto, seven to three. We're now seventy-two and seventy-seven, and we're still three games back of that last wild card spot. The series is tied at one game apiece, with one game to play. Toronto is now just one game back, and they're sitting in fourth in the AL East. We're in fifth. We've got one more chance to take this series, and we're going to need to bring everything we've got.

Outro

That was Baltimore at Toronto, from the Orioles side. This has been Missed It. Every game, both sides, at missed it dot net. Produced by James Barrett.

Baltimore at Toronto

This is Missed It. Baltimore at Toronto, Saturday, September 12, 74 and partly cloudy at Rogers Centre, with the Blue Jays. You missed it? Here's the whole game, as it happened.

Pregame

It's a big one tonight at home, folks. The Baltimore Orioles are in town for game two of this three-game set, and they took the opener. We're sitting at seventy-three and seventy-five, they're at seventy-two and seventy-six, and both of us are chasing that last wild card spot. We're two games back, they're three. A loss tonight and the gap gets ugly. A win, and we're right back in it. First pitch is coming up, and we need this one bad.

Top 1

Bottom of the first, score tied at zero. Baltimore gets something going early. Two outs on the board, but they've got runners at second and third. Gunnar Henderson steps in, and he works a walk. That loads the bases. Pete Alonso trots to third, Coby Mayo moves to second, and now the Orioles have a real chance to break this open before we even get to the plate. The crowd is restless. We need an out, and we need it now. The tension is thick, and you can feel it in the air.

Bot 1

We answer right back. One out, Brett Bateman on base, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. steps up. He doesn't waste any time. He rips a sharp line drive to right field, and it's in the gap. Bateman is off and running, and he scores easily. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pulls into second with a double, and just like that, we're on the board. One to nothing. The place erupts. That's the kind of swing that changes a game. And we're not done. Still one out, Guerrero Jr. on second, and Alejandro Kirk comes to the plate. He takes a swing, and it's a line drive to right field. Heston Kjerstad can't get there. Guerrero Jr. is off on contact, and he scores standing up. Kirk with a single, and it's two to nothing. Two runs in, and we haven't even broken a sweat. The bats are alive, and the Orioles are on their heels.

Top 2

Baltimore comes back up, and they go down in order. Three batters, three outs, no damage. The score stays two to nothing, and we're feeling good. Our guy on the mound is dealing, and the defense is sharp behind him. This is exactly how we need to start a game like this.

Bot 2

We get our turn, and we can't add on. Four batters come up, but nobody crosses the plate. The score stays two to nothing. It's early, but you always want to tack on when you can. Still, we've got the lead, and that's what matters.

Top 3

Baltimore again, and again, nothing. Three up, three down. The Orioles are struggling to get anything going against our pitching. Two innings in a row they've gone quietly, and the crowd is loving it. Two to nothing, and we're in control.

Bot 3

And then, the floodgates open. No outs, bases empty, and Brett Bateman steps in. He gets a pitch he likes, and he doesn't miss. It's a fly ball to right center field, and it just keeps carrying. That ball is gone. Bateman with a solo homer, and it's three to nothing. The place is rocking. But we're not finished. One out, George Springer on base, and Alejandro Kirk is back up. He's already got one hit tonight, and he's looking for more. He finds it. A fly ball to left center field, and it's out of here. Kirk with a two-run homer, Springer scores, and it's five to nothing. The roof is coming off this place. Three runs in the inning, and we've blown this game wide open. Five to nothing after three, and we are rolling.

Top 4

Baltimore tries to answer in the fourth. One out, bases empty, and Gunnar Henderson doubles to right field. Nathan Lukes gives chase, but it's out of reach. Henderson on second, and the Orioles have a runner in scoring position. Then Christian Encarnacion-Strand steps up, and he hits a ground ball to third. Kazuma Okamoto fields it, but the throw is off. It's a fielding error, and Henderson comes around to score. Christian Encarnacion-Strand ends up on second on the throwing error. Just like that, it's five to one. We gave them a run, and we can't afford to do that. The lead is still comfortable, but we need to tighten up.

Bot 4

We come back up, and we can't get anything going. Three batters, three outs. The score stays five to one, and we head to the fifth. We've still got a four-run lead, but Baltimore is hanging around. We need to keep the pressure on.

Top 5

Baltimore comes up in the fifth, and we shut them down. Four batters, no runs. The score stays five to one, and we're still in control. Our pitching is holding up, and the defense is making the plays when we need them.

Bot 5

We get our turn, and we go quietly. Three batters, three outs. The score stays five to one. We're not adding on, but we're not giving anything back either. It's a comfortable lead, but in this game, you never feel safe.

Top 6

Baltimore tries to chip away in the sixth. Two outs, a runner on, and Jeremiah Jackson doubles to center field. Brett Bateman gives chase, but it drops in. Christian Encarnacion-Strand moves to third, and now the Orioles have two runners in scoring position. This is a big moment. We need an out, and we need it now. The crowd is on its feet. And we get it. The inning ends, no runs cross, and the score stays five to one. That was a huge escape.

Bot 6

And we make them pay. One out, Josh Smith on base, and Andrés Giménez steps up. He rips a sharp line drive to right field. Dylan Beavers can't get there. Smith is off and running, and he scores. Giménez with a double, and it's six to one. We've got our run back, and then some. The lead is back to five, and we're feeling good.

Top 7

But Baltimore isn't done. One out, Yohel Pozo on base, and Pete Alonso steps up. He gets a pitch he can handle, and he sends it to left field. That ball is gone. Alonso with a two-run homer, Pozo scores, and it's six to three. The lead is down to three, and suddenly, this game feels a lot tighter. Then Jackson Holliday grounds out, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to pitcher Paul Sewald, and the inning ends. But the damage is done. We've got a three-run lead, and we need to hold on.

Bot 7

We answer right back. One out, bases loaded, and Ernie Clement steps up. He gets a pitch he can drive, and he sends it to center field. Rece Hinds is there, and he makes the catch. But Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tags up and scores. Clement with a sacrifice fly, and it's seven to three. We've got our run back, and the lead is back to four. That's the kind of response you need from your team.

Top 8

Baltimore comes up in the eighth, and we shut them down. Three batters, three outs. The score stays seven to three, and we're three outs away from a huge win. The crowd is getting loud, and you can feel the energy building.

Bot 8

We get our turn, and we can't add on. Four batters, no runs. The score stays seven to three, and we head to the ninth. We've got a four-run lead, and we need three more outs.

Top 9

And here we go. Baltimore comes up for their last chance. Four batters come to the plate, and we get the outs we need. No runs cross. The game is over. Seven to three. We win.

Wrap-up

Final score, seven to three. We take this one, and the series is tied at one game apiece with one game to play. We're now seventy-four and seventy-five, and we're just one game back of that last wild card spot. Baltimore falls to seventy-two and seventy-seven, and they're three back. We needed this one, and we got it. Tomorrow, it all comes down to the rubber match. Let's go out and take the series.

Outro

That was Baltimore at Toronto, from the Blue Jays side. This has been Missed It. Every game, both sides, at missed it dot net. Produced by James Barrett.