Orioles manager Brandon Hyde gets brutally honest on 'anger' after ugly Royals sweep
10/03/2024 10:45 AM
The Baltimore Orioles’ postseason ambitions came to an abrupt halt following a devastating series sweep by the Kansas City Royals, leaving a bitter taste as the team contemplates what could have been. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde did not mince words when discussing the team’s performance. In an article by Jeff Passan of ESPN, Hyde highlighted the frustration and anger that followed the loss.
“They did a great job of pitching out of trouble,” Hyde remarked, emphasizing the Royals’ resilience in critical moments. “I thought we gave everything we had. I thought we pitched really, really well. We pitched out of traffic almost the entire game it felt like to keep the score where it was. Just a disappointing finish.”
Despite a commendable effort from the pitchers, the Orioles’ lineup struggled to capitalize on key opportunities throughout the series. This was particularly evident in their inability to support the solid outing from their ace, Corbin Burnes, who allowed just one run in eight innings during the first game.
Zach Eflin’s performance in the subsequent game, lasting only four innings, further underscored the challenges the Orioles faced on the mound. However, it was the lack of offensive production that ultimately sealed their fate.
Orioles fall short for the second consecutive season
“When you lose like this,” Hyde continued, “there’s frustration, there’s anger, there’s disappointment because you felt like there were opportunities there in those couple of games to change the score. And it didn’t happen.”
The Orioles, bolstered by a strong core of young talents like shortstop Gunnar Henderson, entered the season with high expectations, seen by many as potential World Series contenders. However, managing only one run against the Royals throughout the series highlighted the team’s offensive shortcomings at the worst possible time. The timing is particularly poignant with the looming free agency of Corbin Burnes, casting uncertainty on the team’s future composition.
The Royals’ ability to clinch consecutive wins, including a critical 2-1 victory in front of a packed Camden Yards crowd of 38,698, was a testament to their remarkable turnaround from last season’s 56-106 record. Their first postseason win since their 2015 World Series victory set the stage for an American League Division Series matchup against the New York Yankees, marking a significant milestone in their resurgence.
For the Orioles, the series loss serves as a stark reminder of ‘anything goes’ with October baseball, where every at-bat can tip the scales. As Hyde and his ballclub regroup for the next season, the focus will undoubtedly be on harnessing their evident potential and addressing the inconsistencies that led to their postseason demise. The frustration and lessons from yet another early exit will likely fuel their offseason moves and preparation, aiming to ensure that missed opportunities do not define their future.
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