Baltimore Orioles: Defense Drops the Ball on the Birds

Sep 1, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (39) pitches during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Much to the chagrin of Kevin Gausman, an uncharacteristically poor defensive performance led to a Baltimore Orioles loss on a sweltering Labor Day. Gausman had one of the best outings in his career, pitching 7.1 innings and giving up only five hits and striking out seven.

However, two costly errors by Jimmy Paredes proved to be the difference in the game. The first mistake came in the sixth inning on a bouncing ball hit by Joe Mauer that Paredes did not get down on. Delmon Young proceeded to misfield the ball, allowing two runs and a Mauer triple. Mauer would later score on a sacrifice fly.

Nick Hundley tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with a three-run shot to left field. But the Orioles’ hopes would melt in the in the eighth inning when Paredes failed to react quickly enough on the hot corner, allowing three runs and driving Gausman out of the game.

Nelson Cruz countered in the ninth inning with a solo home run, but it wasn’t enough to rally the Orioles back and save a solid outing by Kevin Gausman.

But before we throw the new guy under the team bus, it’s important to remember what we are asking of Paredes. He is playing his second position, for one of the best defensive teams in the league, and replacing Manny Machado. The two mistakes by Parades were clearly the result of a slow reaction time at a new position.