Shane Baz struggles with efficiency against Braves

Baz struck out three and walked three in the 96-pitch outing. It was his third time facing his former team this season, but the first two went better than Sunday’s, with 15 strikeouts and two earned runs allowed across 13 frames. Baz appeared headed for another gem against them before three runs came around to score in the top of the sixth, ultimately handing him his league-leading 14th loss. He’ll look to rebound against the A’s in Sacramento next time out.

Baz allowed one run through six before giving up singles to two of the three batters he faced in the seventh. Josh Walker took over then and allowed both inherited runners to score to get Baz tagged with his 13th loss to the year. That’s the most losses for an Orioles pitcher since Jorge López and Matt Harvey both lost 14 games in 2021. The good news is that Baz’s velocity was back tonight after a surprising dip last time out that he said was a result of mechanical issues. Apart from that start, he’s mostly pitched well of late, and his next outing will come against a familiar Rays lineup that he’s turned in two of his better performances again this year (1-0, 1.38 ERA in 13 IP).

Something was well off with Baz today, as he averaged just 94.0 mph with his fastball. That’s two mph off his season average and one mph under his previous season low from June 7. He indicated after the game that the issue was likely mechanical, rather than anything injury related. Baz had been doing his best work of the season lately, allowing a total of five earned runs in his previous four starts. He’s due to face the Yankees next week.

This was one of the best starts of Baz’s career. He cruised through the first five innings facing just one batter over the minimum with zero walks and eight strikeouts. Then, Elias Díaz reached on an infield single to start the sixth inning and Joc Pederson made Baz pay for a first-pitch cutter at the letters that he sent out for a long two-run home run. That was the only mistake Baz made as his fastball and changeup stymied the Rangers’ left handed batters while his fastball, cutter, and knuckle-curve decimated the righties. Starts like this make for us to recognize his still ridiculous talent. Don’t look now, but Baz has a 2.93 ERA in 15 starts since May 15th with 82 strikeouts and 27 walks across 92 innings. He’s scheduled to face the Twins next time out.

Baz gave up six hits, walked one and struck out four. He fell to 4-10 with the loss. The only run Baz gave up came on a two-out single to Bryan De La Cruz in the fifth inning. Still, with no run support, the 27-year-old right-hander took the loss. Baz has a 3.86 ERA. He’s lined up to face the Rangers on the road next Friday.

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.

He gave up six hits, walked three and struck out three. Baz came into the night averaging 3.12 runs allowed and 5.94 innings in his 17 starts, but this is actually the first time he’s turned in a three-run, six-inning outing. Although he’s been adequate with his 4.12 ERA, he fell to 4-9 tonight and the Orioles dropped to 5-13 in his starts. He’ll face the Royals on Sunday.

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.