Orioles, flying high, look to soar past Blue Jays

The Baltimore Orioles are hitting on all cylinders, and they will aim to keep rolling Saturday afternoon when they try for a series win over the host Toronto Blue Jays.

The Orioles scored five runs in the sixth inning Friday night on the way to a 13-3 victory in the opener of the three-game series.

The teams split four games at Baltimore last week.

Adley Rutschman was 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, a walk and five RBIs on Friday for Baltimore, which reached Toronto's Trey Yesavage for six runs in 5 1/3 innings. Orioles starter Brandon Young allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings.

"Rutsch is one of the best catchers in this league, and he's proved it," Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. "He does a great job of obviously hitting the home run in the first at-bat in the top of the first, and his (at-bats) were outstanding for the rest of the night. He did a great job of navigating (Young), and that's the impact that Rutsch can make on both sides of the ball, and it's felt. Not to mention running the bases well."

Baltimore has won 10 of 14 to move into third place in the American League East, one game ahead of Toronto.

The Orioles are scheduled to start right-hander Kyle Bradish (3-6, 3.44 ERA) on Saturday. He will be out to repeat his outing against the Blue Jays last Sunday when he allowed one unearned run in seven innings in a 9-5 victory. Bradish is 2-3 with a 4.40 ERA in nine career starts against Toronto.

The Blue Jays had not named a starter as of early Saturday but rookie right-hander Spencer Miles (2-1, 3.47) figures to be used, perhaps as a bulk pitcher behind an opener. He started at Baltimore last Sunday and allowed six runs in three innings to take the 9-5 loss.

Both teams had players leave with injuries on Friday.

Toronto center fielder Daulton Varsho was replaced by pinch hitter Yohendrick Pinango in the fourth because of discomfort in his left wrist. It was noticeable in his first at-bat of the game.

Manager John Schneider said Varsho had been dealing with some inflammation in the wrist for a couple of days and it flared up. X-rays were negative.

"It crept up on him a little bit as he was hitting against the machine before the game and we just want to be extra careful with him," Schneider said. "It's just more inflammation in his wrist. Hopefully, it's just a day or two. Just want to be careful."

Baltimore designated hitter Samuel Basallo was replaced by pinch hitter Jeremiah Jackson in the sixth inning because of abdominal discomfort.

"He felt something in his side," Albernaz said. "Out of precaution, we just took him out of the game. Obviously, we don't want him too banged up, but he's getting looked at, so we'll know more tomorrow."

After winning four in a row, the Blue Jays have lost five of six.

"It's not a secret, we've been inconsistent for most of the year," Schneider said.

"We just need to play for each other," Yesavage said. "Starters need to play for the bullpen to give those guys some rest. Bullpen needs to play for the guys whose runs they're saving. Offense, just pass the torch. We don't need a home run swing every time. Get on base, pass the torch to the next guy."

--Field Level Media