Orioles fall to Guardians, 4-2, after one bad pitch from Dean Kremer
CLEVELAND — Through four innings Saturday, Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer was as good as he’s ever been in the month of April. The seven-year veteran has long struggled in the opening month of the season, entering the contest against the Guardians with a 6. 12 ERA in April versus a 3.
88 ERA after May. But Kremer didn’t just look like his non-April self. He pitched like someone who’s found another gear.
The 30-year-old right-hander didn’t allow a run or a hit through four frames thanks to a nasty splitter and an increased strikeout rate. Then Kremer made one bad pitch in the fifth inning, and it was the difference in the game as the Orioles lost, 4-2, to the Guardians for the second time in three nights. Kremer tried to blow a fastball past Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio, and the No.
9 hitter kept his hands inside and clobbered it for a three-run homer. Kremer’s splitter was nearly unhittable Saturday, and he made Rocchio look foolish on a swing-and-miss on a 2-1 splitter. But Kremer and catcher Samuel Basallo decided to go with a heater on the next pitch, and Rocchio made them pay.
Before the pitch, it appeared as if Basallo was still clicking the buttons on his PitchCom with about three seconds left on the clock. He then signaled for Kremer to step off the mound just as the pitcher started his delivery. Aside from the one bad pitch, Kremer was superb, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings.