BALTIMORE — Moments earlier, as Jorge López made his way slowly off the mound, Adley Rutschman did what he always does. He waited for the Orioles right-hander, put his arm around him and helped him to the dugout after López allowed his third homer in the last four days.
Rutschman takes it upon himself to pick up his pitchers — to celebrate their highs and reduce their lows. López needed it in that moment, having allowed the Texas Rangers to take a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning Monday.
But Rutschman went further than a pat on the back. With two outs in the bottom half of the frame, the catcher’s drive off the right field wall scored Ryan McKenna from first base. He not only picked up López, who desperately needed a break, he picked up the Orioles, forcing extra innings to make a walk-off hit by pitch possible to end the 7-6 victory.
