The Baltimore Orioles dropped a 3-2 decision to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, slipping to 20-25 on the season. The narrow loss underscored the team's ongoing struggle to string together consistent offense.
Littell’s Masterful Outing
Washington’s right-hander Zach Littell turned in his finest start since September 2024, limiting the Orioles to just two runs while fanning ten batters. His command was evident as he kept Baltimore’s hitters off balance throughout the night.
The Orioles’ lineup, featuring Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, could not capitalize on key moments, striking out ten times and leaving several runners stranded.
Starter Shane Baz endured a rough outing, surrendering a home run and a double to Daylen Lile and finishing with a 5.28 ERA for the season. His inability to shut down the Nationals’ early rally proved costly.
Manager Craig Albernaz acknowledged the team’s difficulty hitting with two outs, noting that the club’s approach at the plate needs refinement. Meanwhile, executive Mike Elias expressed surprise at the news of Jordan Westburg’s Tommy John surgery and outlined plans to continue experimenting with Jackson Holliday’s positioning in the minors.
The loss adds pressure on the Orioles’ front office, with Albernaz and Elias facing increasing scrutiny as the club looks to turn a 20-25 start into a playoff-contending stretch.