Orioles have momentum, while Rockies get fresh start in finale

Too bad for the Baltimore Orioles that they can't carry over some of their excess to the series finale against the Colorado Rockies.

The teams meet Sunday afternoon in Baltimore, where the Orioles poured it on for an 18-0 romp Saturday night to even the series.

It's the type of feel-good situation that has been lacking for much of the season around the Orioles.

"It's kind of one of those nights," Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino said, this time referring to that in a positive light.

"I feel like everybody for the most part put good swings on the ball. Just proud of our guys, and despite everything kind of surrounding us right now with trades and not meeting expectations and everything."

Baltimore produced the most lopsided shutout victory in team history, eclipsing a 17-0 result against the Chicago White Sox in 1969.

The Rockies reached another new depth, becoming the first team since at least 1901 to suffer two shutout losses by 18 or more runs in the same season. They lost 21-0 at home to the San Diego Padres on May 11.

Colorado interim manager Warren Schaeffer chose to look ahead.

"Get back to work and win a series (Sunday)," he said. "To get beat 18-0, we have a chance to win a series (Sunday), which we're going to go for."

The quick turnaround might be a blessing for the Rockies, who won't want to harp long on how their three-game winning streak came to a halt.

The Rockies had Warming Bernabel in his big-league debut Saturday night, playing as a first baseman and third baseman. He went 1-for 3.

"That's awesome to see Bernabel come up there and get his first knock," Schaeffer said. "You could tell he wanted it bad."

Bernabel is the 10th player to make a debut in the majors with Colorado this year.

Among the big offense Saturday, Baltimore outfielder Cedric Mullins belted his 100th career home run.

"Cedric is a guy that we love internally, and I feel like externally he's loved, as well, by the fans," Mansolino said. "Yeah, I am happy for him."

There's speculation that Mullins could be a trade chip as the deadline for deals is less than a week away. So that makes games this weekend in Baltimore potentially ripe with sentiment.

"I got drafted by Baltimore and just one of those things where you just feel welcome," Mullins said. "The engagement that I have with the fans over the course of the years has been nothing short of awesome. It's just been fun, really fun being here."

Baltimore right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (7-5, 4.54 ERA) will aim to be in bounce-back mode after logging a season-low 3 2/3 innings in his most recent start Monday at Cleveland. He gave up four runs (three earned) in that no-decision, which also included his season-high four walks.

The Rockies have left-hander Austin Gomber (0-4, 6.03) lined up as their starting pitcher. Colorado has lost in his last six starts, though he's coming off his first outing of the season when he didn't yield a walk in 5 2/3 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Gomber has pitched in parts of eight major league seasons, but he has made just one appearance against the Orioles. He lost that outing, giving up three runs in six innings last August.

--Field Level Media