The Orioles’ bullpen is an amalgamation of waiver claims, failed starters and longtime minor leaguers getting their first extended major league opportunities. Unexpectedly tasked with a rubber game against the Tampa Bay Rays, that relief corps again delivered for Baltimore.
After starter Jordan Lyles was scratched with a stomach virus, seven of Baltimore’s relievers combined to cover all nine innings of Sunday’s 2-1 series-clinching victory at Camden Yards, coming in front of a Father’s Day crowd of 23,004. Four of those pitchers came to Baltimore via waiver claims. Another was a late-round draft pick. One spent a decade in the minors and was once released before finally getting a major league shot.
“It’s almost like we’re the misfits,” right-hander Bryan Baker said earlier this season, describing a group of pitchers that held Tampa Bay to two runs in 16 2/3 innings for Baltimore’s second straight series win against the Rays after winning only one of their prior 22 games between the American League East foes.
