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The Baltimore Orioles called upon Jackson Holliday to pinch hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning. He put up a three-run double, that ultimately proved the game-winner over the Houston Astros.
Holliday sent an 83.7 mph splitter from Taylor Scott out to the centerfield wall, scoring all three of the Orioles on base.
“I got to face him last night, and felt like I saw the splitter well,” Holliday told reporters postgame. “Just got a pitch over the middle, and was able to hit it in the gap. Not trying to do too much, just put a good swing on it.”
The hit snapped an 0-for-20 cold streak for the 20-year-old. But it’s nothing he’s not used to.
“Well, I’ve been here before,” Holliday later said, according to Steve Melewski of MASN Sports. “Obviously, it’s not great, but that experience the first time is helpful. Not thinking too much about it. I’ve hit some balls hard, just haven’t had great luck. So just sticking to my approach and just tinkering with little things but not overthinking it. The game is really hard, guys are really good and that happens. Going out there each night and competing.”
It’s a second consecutive come-from-behind win for Baltimore. Holliday told reporters that momentum is on their side for the final stretch of the 2024 season.
“This is testament to the kind of team we have in here, that battles and competes and are never out of it,” Holliday said. “It’s really good momentum going into these next few weeks.”
As of August 24, the Orioles are 76-55. They are one game behind the New York Yankees for the AL East lead with 31 games to go.
Brandon Hyde on Jackson Holliday’s Hit: ‘We’ve Been Missing That’
Baltimore’s skipper Brandon Hyde spoke with reporters after the victory and talked about the decision to pinch-hit Holliday.
“You know, Taylor Scott, ex-O, just really tough on right-handed hitters,” Hyde told reporters on August 24. “Just took a shot with Jackson there. You typically take a shot with a left-handed hitter here with the fence, and a guy that’s really tough on righty’s. Jackson came through in a big way. What a huge hit for us, great swing, totally under control. Just an awesome offensive inning from us, and great hit by him.”
When asked about Holliday’s game-winning double, he called those kinds of hits a luxury the Orioles haven’t been afforded as of recent.
“Well, we have been missing the big hit,” Hyde continued. “When you are not getting the big hit you are continually asked ‘What is wrong with runners in scoring position? You guys can’t get a hit. Is there a drill you can do?’ There’s not a drill. It’s slowing the game down, honestly. Getting some confidence and not trying to do too much.”
And similar to Holliday, Hyde is optimistic that Baltimore will ride the momentum moving forward.
“Hopefully, (Anthony) Santander’s hit last night, Jackson’s hit today, that keep the line moving, both were those types of innings,” Hyde continued. “We’ve been missing that.”
Entering the series against the Astros, the Orioles were 4-6 in their last 10. They have an opportunity to get their first series win since August 11 in the series finale against Houston on August 25.
Dean Kremer to Start in Series Finale vs. Astros
In what would have been a scheduled start for Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer will take the mound against Houston on August 25.
Rogers, acquired at the trade deadline from the Miami Marlins, was optioned to Triple-A on August 22.
Rogers is 0-2 with the Orioles, who are 1-3 in his four starts for the team thus far. In 19 innings pitched, the 26-year-old allowed 16 runs on 25 hits, in addition to 10 walks and 12 strikeouts.
Kremer, who’s 6-9 on the year for Baltimore, will look to ride the momentum of his last two starts. In wins over the Washington Nationals and Yankees, he allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, and struck out 10.
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