Alec Asher hasn’t had many easy assignments when the Orioles have used him as a starter, but he didn’t make it easy on himself Thursday night against the high-flying Washington Nationals.
The host Nationals batted around in a 41-pitch first inning, scoring four runs and helping themselves to an early, easy lead against the Orioles’ fifth starter on their way to a 6-1 win at Nationals Park.
The Orioles (31-27) split their season series against their nearest local rival with each team winning both games at home.
Asher has had starts like this before, including his first outing back in the rotation on May 28 in Houston, when the Astros scored six runs on six hits in two innings.