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Baltimore Orioles Make Keegan Akin Announcement on Saturday
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- Baltimore Orioles Make Keegan Akin Announcement on Saturday
(© James A. Pittman-Imagn Images)
The Baltimore Orioles are healing up as May approaches. After reinstating outfielder Tyler O'Neill and right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge from the injured list on Friday, they made a similar move before their matchup with the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.
The Orioles reinstated southpaw reliever Keegan Akin (adductor) from the 15-day injured list after optioning right-handed pitcher Cameron Foster to Triple-A after Friday's 10-3 win over the Red Sox, via their social media.
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Baltimore drafted Akin in the second round in 2016 and first called him up to the big leagues in 2020. The Michigan native entered Saturday with a 16-22 record and a 4.48 ERA over 231 career outings (28 starts). He went 5-4 with a 3.41 ERA over 64 games (three starts) last season.
Keegan Akin Makes Season Debut on Saturday
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Keegan Akin (45). © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Baltimore wasted no time deploying Akin, as manager Craig Albernaz inserted him to start the top of the eighth inning on Saturday. The veteran threw a perfect frame with the Orioles down 7-1, as Caleb Durbin struck out swinging before Connor Wong grounded out to second and Isiah Kiner-Falefa struck out looking.
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However, Akin ran into trouble in the ninth, as Cedanne Rafaela hit a leadoff triple before William Contreras plated him on a single. Wilyer Abreu and Trevor Story then hit back-to-back singles to load the bases before Andruw Monasterio hit a 388-foot grand slam to center. After that, Jarren Duran hit a single before Albernaz finally pulled Akin.
The Orioles' entire squad struggled on Saturday, as ace pitcher Trevor Rogers lasted just 1.2 innings to start the contest after allowing three runs on four hits. Right-handed reliever Tyler Wells then threw 1.1 scoreless innings before fellow right-hander Albert Suarez allowed four runs (none earned) on two hits over four frames.
Additionally, Baltimore had just one run and two errors in the 17-1 loss. This was a departure from its recent form, as it scored at least four runs in each of its last five games.
The Orioles will host the Red Sox in a rubber match on Sunday before hosting the Houston Astros in a three-game series. After that, they'll hit the road to face the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins before returning home to face the Athletics and Yankees.
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The first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, with right-hander Kyle Bradish starting against Boston southpaw Connelly Early . Bradish allowed one run over 5.1 innings against the Kansas City Royals in his last start, which was Monday's 7-5 win.
