Shane Baz solid for six in loss to Cubs

Baz struck out six and walked none. He’d walked at least one batter in 17 consecutive starts until last week, but now he’s posted a 15/0 K/BB in his last two starts, putting him at 105/42 in 117 2/3 innings overall. So, that’s rather encouraging. He’ll take a 4-9 record and a 4.13 ERA into his next start at home against the Braves.

Baz allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits in the ballgame and did not allow a base on balls. The Royals scratched out single runs against him in the second and third innings, but Baz was able to evade any further damage. He couldn’t get the final out in the fifth inning though, and was ultimately pulled at 104 pitches after allowing a two-out double to Lane Thomas. He got a whopping 19 swings and misses on the afternoon — seven on his fastball and six on his knuckle curve — while posting a CSW of 28 percent. The 27-year-old righty wraps up his first half with a 4-9 record, 4.11 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 99/42 K/BB ratio over 111 2/3 innings in his 19 starts.

Baz threw a career-high 109 pitches (66 strikes) and finished on a high note, retiring 12 of the final 14 batters he faced, to complete seven frames for the fifth time in his Orioles debut. He finished with six strikeouts and managed to avoid serious damage despite issuing four walks. He got some help from center fielder Colton Cowser, who took away a potential go-ahead solo shot from Miguel Vargas in the fifth. It was an encouraging rebound performance after giving up five runs to the lowly Angels his last time out. He holds a respectable 4.19 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 87/39 K/BB ratio across 101 innings through 17 starts. He’ll get a bit of a break before his next outing against the Cubs next Tuesday since the Orioles have two off days coming up.

The Angels got to Baz in the first inning with a two-run blast by Nolan Schanuel. Baz tossed two scoreless innings, then gave up four straight hits and a sacrifice fly in the fifth, giving up two more runs. His day would be done after five with five strikeouts. The 27-year-old right-hander will take a 4.31 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and an 81/35 K/BB ratio across 94 innings into a start against the White Sox in Baltimore on Monday.

The 27-year-old right-hander punched out nine batters on the day while issuing a pair of free passes. All of the damage done against him came with two outs in the opening inning on a two-run double by Cole Young and an RBI single off the bat of Dominic Canzone. Aside from that, Baz was brilliant. He got 13 whiffs on 99 pitches on the afternoon, posting a solid CSW of 29 percent. Now 4-7 on the season, he’ll carry a 4.04 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a 76/34 K/BB ratio (89 innings) into Tuesday’s matchup against the Angels in Los Angeles.

Baz struck out just one batter in the ballgame while issuing a pair of free passes. The Padres scratched out single runs against him in the first, second and fifth innings, but were never able to sustain a rally against him. The 26-year-old righty got 13 whiffs on 103 pitches on the evening, registering a CSW of 24 percent. He’ll look to keep the good times rolling as he carries a 4.06 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 67/32 K/BB ratio (82 innings) into Thursday’s skirmish against the Mariners in Seattle.

Baz gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out three. He fell to 3-6 with the loss. Baz cruised through the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth inning. He allowed a solo home run and a double, but would’ve been out of the inning with only one run if not for an error by Gunnar Henderson. With new life, the Blue Jays followed up the error with an RBI groundout, a single, a double and a single. Baz was charged with five runs, but only one earned run. His ERA is 4.09, but he has a 2.20 ERA over his last five starts with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks. Baz is lined up to face the Padres at home next.

Baz authored his fourth consecutive quality start, limiting Boston’s lineup to just a pair of sacrifice flies over seven strong frames. He finished with six strikeouts and only issued a pair of walks. The 26-year-old former top prospect has allowed three earned runs or fewer and completed at least six innings in four straight outings since May 9, lowering his ERA from an inflated 5.48 to a more palatable 4.29 mark during that span. He’ll close out a two-start week with a road matchup against the division-rival Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre on Sunday.

Baz gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out nine. He improved to 2-5 with the win. Baz allowed a run in the first inning against his former team before settling in and ultimately completing seven innings. He lowered his ERA to 4.48. With three consecutive quality starts, Baz may have turned the corner on his season. He’s lined up to face the Red Sox on the road next week.

Baz thrived while facing his former team for the first time, finishing with six strikeouts. He left with a 3-1 lead after six, but that got blown by Anthony Nunez in the eighth. It’s Baz’s second straight quality start after he went without one in his first eight outings for the Orioles, and he lowered his ERA to 4.87. He’s slated to face the Rays again next week in Baltimore.