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Orioles' Grayson Rodriguez shines in shutout victory over Mariners
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    Orioles’ Grayson Rodriguez shines in shutout victory over Mariners

    SEATTLE — Grayson Rodriguez allowed just two hits over 6 1/3 shutout innings, and Anthony Santander drove in the go-ahead run with a fourth-inning RBI single as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 on Tuesday night. 

    Rodriguez (10-3) was dominant against Seattle’s struggling offence, retiring the first eight batters and allowing just one hit through five innings. The Orioles have won five of their last six games after dropping five in a row.

    The Mariners threatened twice, but Rodriguez got an inning-ending double play off the bat of Jorge Polanco in the fourth inning and struck out Cal Raleigh in the sixth to escape both jams unscathed. 

    “I thought he threw the ball great,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Really good changeup tonight. That start in Houston didn’t go well, but … he’s had four or five really good ones. This was right up there also. Really good job of changing speeds.”

    Josh Rojas had both hits for Seattle, a pair of singles. 

    Gunnar Henderson hit a leadoff single in the fourth against Mariners starter George Kirby, and scored to put the Orioles up 1-0 when Santander hit a one-out single to right field. 

    “They have a pretty good pitching staff,” Santander said. “There are some games we don’t win by a homer. As a hitter we have to try to not do too much, especially with runners in scoring position.”

    The Orioles, who lead MLB with 139 homers, won without a long ball for the first time since May 31 against Tampa Bay. 

    Cedric Mullins made it a 2-0 game with an RBI single in the seventh that ended Kirby’s day after 6 1/3 innings. Kirby (7-6) allowed two earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and one walk. 

    Rodriguez also went 6 1/3 innings, with four walks, eight strikeouts, and 19 swings and misses from the Seattle lineup, including nine off his changeup. 

    “That’s kind of the foundation of how I pitch is off that changeup,” Rodriguez said. “If I can get that working, I’m pretty confident I can do anything I want with it.”

    Yennier Cano and Cionel Pérez combined for two perfect innings of relief, and Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 20th save. 

    Raleigh put a scare into the Baltimore dugout with a booming blast with one on that looked set to tie the game in the ninth, but the ball curved foul.

    The loss extended Seattle’s losing streak to three games. 

    “Baltimore has got a good club, we know that,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “These games are going to be tight. We’ve got to figure out a way to get the big hit late, and that’s been a struggle for us lately.”

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    DH/C Mitch Garver (wrist) was still a bit sore on Tuesday after taking a fastball from Joe Ryan off his right wrist in Sunday’s game against Minnesota. Garver was not in the lineup, but took some swings in the batting cage. 

    ROSTER MOVE

    Seattle recalled C Seby Zavala from Triple-A Tacoma, and optioned LHP Jhonathan Díaz … Seattle signed RHP Chris Devenski to a major league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Tacoma. Devenski was released by Tampa Bay on Monday … On Monday, Baltimore activated RHP Corbin Burnes off the paternity list and optioned LHP Matt Krook to Triple-A Norfolk. 

    UP NEXT

    Orioles RHP Dean Kremer (3-4, 4.32 ERA) will pitch Wednesday against Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert (5-4, 2.72).

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    The Baltimore Orioles’ top pitching prospect, Grayson Rodriguez, put on a dazzling performance in a shutout victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. The 21-year-old right-hander showed why he is considered one of the best young arms in baseball, dominating the Mariners’ lineup with his electric stuff and pinpoint control.

    Rodriguez went seven strong innings, allowing just three hits and striking out 10 batters while walking none. His fastball consistently sat in the mid-90s and touched 98 mph, while his devastating slider and changeup kept Mariners hitters off balance all night. Rodriguez’s ability to command all three of his pitches and mix speeds effectively made him virtually unhittable.

    The Orioles’ offense provided more than enough run support for Rodriguez, scoring five runs in the first three innings to give him a comfortable lead. But it was Rodriguez’s performance on the mound that stole the show, as he mowed down Mariners hitters with ease and never let them get into a rhythm.

    After the game, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde praised Rodriguez for his poise and maturity on the mound, noting that he looked like a seasoned veteran rather than a rookie making just his second career start. Hyde also highlighted Rodriguez’s work ethic and dedication to his craft, saying that he is always looking to improve and learn from each outing.

    With performances like this one, it’s clear that Grayson Rodriguez has a very bright future ahead of him in the major leagues. Orioles fans have plenty to be excited about as they watch their young ace develop into a true ace on the mound. If Rodriguez can continue to pitch like he did against the Mariners, he will undoubtedly be a key piece of the Orioles’ rotation for years to come.