A few , somewhat overlooked moments in Thursday's huge win...

[Roy Firestone]

First, how about Kyle Gibson? He more or less out pitched  Tyler Glasnow, whom many believe is one of the top pitchers in the American League. Gibson pitched much of the night with runners on but found a way out and gave us 66 terrific innings. I appreciated that.Also the play that  Urias made, may have been the most consequential play in this season. If the ball gets by, the Rays get another run and likely win the game. I think Cano, who is looking more and more hittable of late, might be tiring and his movement on his pitches are flattening out...STILL, he had a big strikeout to start the 8th and hand it over to Baker.I thought Baker was a bit shaky, again, but he somehow wiggled out of trouble. I also think Hicks should NOT play CF, I'd rather it be someone else. Hicks , once again misplayed a ball that while not an easy play, was a makable play. But the night belongs to Felix. Gutsy 2 innings, and even if he's on fumes himself, gutted it out and got that big double play in the 10th when the game was on the line. Needless to say, I believe Gunnar's hustling, Pete Rose like play, fired this team up and it ignited the rally and I believe was the key offensive moment in the game..it changed everything. Just a thrilling, team win, and no matter what happens in the rest of this series...Game 1 was a keeper...very emblematic of the Orioles season.

[Roy Firestone]

And I think this was a big night for Cowser too...a solid base hit, and at 0-2 in the count, delivered a SAC fly that proved to be the winning run. I hope the kid can build on that.It was a big deal for him.

[Filmstudy]

Like those and I'll add the SH by Frazier and SF by Cowser. 

Frazier got it down where there was no chance to get Hicks at 3rd.

Cowser has had some problems with contact and results, but came through with a well-hit ball at the right time and gave the Orioles a chance that Bautista closed.

Some thanks to Paredes for not making a clean dig of the ball on what should have been a pickoff of Hicks at 3B.

[Filmstudy]

5 minutes ago, Roy Firestone said:

And I think this was a big night for Cowser too...a solid base hit, and at 0-2 in the count, delivered a SAC fly that proved to be the winning run. I hope the kid can build on that.It was a big deal for him.

Looks like you just beat me to it, but that was a huge PA for Cowser.  I have a lot more belief left in Cowser to grow into a star this season or next, but that was a huge moment for the Orioles regardless.

Think Dave Criscione circa 1977.

[Frobby]

Were any of those moments really overlooked?

The ability of Urias to shuttle between 3B, 2B and the bench and yet play excellent defense wherever he plays is truly impressive.   And increasingly, Gunnar’s ability to play very good defense despite toggling between 3B and SS also is impressive.  

[Malike]

Urias made the play of the game, if we go down 4-3 if that ball gets past him, we're not in first place very likely. Hell of a play.

I know Bautista pitched 2 innings, but he only threw 15 pitches. That was awesome.

Edited July 21, 2023 by Malike

[baltfan]

In the tenth if the batter gets out of the way of Bautista’s wild pitch, the runner advances to third with no outs.  Instead, luckily for the Orioles, he is hit and ends up being part of the double play to end the game. 

[Baltimorecuse]

Any close baseball game can be deconstructed into individual game changing moments.  What about TB lining into that rally killing double play?  That ball was hit a ton.  

[PeteCanes]

Urias is incredibly valuable to this team

[Bahama O's Fan]

3 hours ago, baltfan said:

In the tenth if the batter gets out of the way of Bautista’s wild pitch, the runner advances to third with no outs.  Instead, luckily for the Orioles, he is hit and ends up being part of the double play to end the game. 

In the bottom of extra innings, if the score is still tied, why not put that first batter on first baee every time, to set up a double play?

[yark14]

7 hours ago, Frobby said:

Were any of those moments really overlooked?

Firestone is a journalist.

[Nite]

That final throw from Gunner to complete the DP and end the game was something else. You really can't appreciate his arm until you see him make a throw we've all seen thousands of times and have it look special on its own.

[LA2]

1 hour ago, Nite said:

That final throw from Gunner to complete the DP and end the game was something else. You really can't appreciate his arm until you see him make a throw we've all seen thousands of times and have it look special on its own.

Yes--I think it made up for the split-second lost when Frazier was slow getting the ball out of his glove at the beginning of the play.

Urias's fantastic diving play in the 8th was a play Frazier doesn't make, unless he were positioned differently. Grateful for Adam's perfect bunt in the 10th though: all parts of a real team effort.