The stage was set for an afternoon of drama in Major League Baseball. For whatever else you can say about the Orioles, you can say this: They played their part perfectly to increase the drama. The problem for Orioles fans is simply that the O’s part was to lose and keep hopes for the Jays and for a Game 163 tiebreaker scenario alive. The Orioles obliged by getting their butts kicked, 12-4.
The outcome was never in doubt. Blue Jays leadoff man George Springer hit a home run to start the bottom of the first inning. Sometimes an Orioles starting pitcher, in this case Bruce Zimmermann, is able to settle down after such a beginning.