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Baltimore Orioles: 2016 MLB Season Ends Abruptly

By Nate Wardle

Oct 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) during player introductions before the American League wild card playoff baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) during player introductions before the American League wild card playoff baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Orioles’ 2016 season is over after a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in 11 innings at Rogers Centre on Tuesday night.

Well…it sucks. A tough day for sure for Baltimore Orioles fans. This team was not real consistent, but you knew if they could get one win in the playoffs, them might be able to get 12 and win the whole thing. But, to end like this? It stings for sure. I’m sure you know all the details, but let’s run through.

Jose Bautista got an already raucous crowd even more amped up when he led off the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run. Speaking of raucous crowds, does something need to be done to grab control of the Toronto fans?

Second time something was thrown at an Orioles’ player (Nate McLouth in 2013), and who can forget the mess the fans made of the field just last year in the ALDS vs. the Rangers. Just imagine what they will do if Rougned Odor hits a big home run for the Rangers (we can only hope it happens…).

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But, Mark Trumbo gave the Birds a 2-1 edge with a two-run blast in the fourth. Chris Tillman was cruising through four minus the Bautista HR, but you had to wonder how short the leash was.

Everyone found out in the fifth, when a double to left and a double to right (which could have easily been an error, as Michael Bourn should have caught the ball) put men on second and third.

Then, Oriole killer Ezequiel Carrera, the ninth hitter) singled in a run and the game was back to being tied.

The score would remain that way until the fateful 11th inning. In between, the Orioles got fantastic pitching from their bullpen. Mychal Givens and Donnie Hart were both excellent, and so was Darren O’Day.

Brad Brach meandered his way out of trouble with the help of a double play that O’Day induced. Brian Duensing was excellent against one batter. Ubaldo Jimenez was not good in the rest of the 11th, and that was the game.

We have to mention at least the fact that neither Dylan Bundy or Zach Britton were used. In my mind, I would have saved Ubaldo and pitched Bundy. Bundy is a power arm and was a guy who could give you multiple innings if needed. I never like bringing in a starter from the bullpen, unless they are an ace because you never know how it will go. Sadly, Orioles’ fans were let down.

As for Britton, Buck Showalter has been skewered by the media for leaving arguably the best player on the team, and the best reliever in the game, on the bench. Look, I get what Buck was doing. But, you have to get there first. Hindsight is always 20/20, but if Buck knew he was saving Zach until they had a lead, I would have probably kept Vance Worley on the roster and used him during the 11th.

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But, I don’t put the loss on Buck, like many others do. I put it on the offense, which once again was offensive outside of a home run.

Trumbo’s homer was great, but just a little insurance could have changed the game. But, the Orioles continued their habit of crossing the line from being aggressive to swinging at everything, and it ended their season.

In the end, the team saw about the same number of pitches (146) as Toronto (151). Neither of these teams is the most patient.

When the Orioles’ offense was clicking through the first part of the year, they were being patient and doing the little things.

The strikeouts weren’t piling up for players like Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones. By the end of the season, this offense was mainly home run or bust.

And that is a familiar tune, unfortunately.

There will be another day to discuss free agents, whether the Orioles should fix this, and a look at 2017 (it looks bright, folks). But, right now this loss still stings.

Next: Looking Back at How the Orioles Made the Playoffs

The 2016 MLB playoffs will continue Wednesday night, and Baltimore Orioles fans know their team has no games left.

It was an end that was predictable but at the same time, a painful punch in the gut.

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