Jorge Mateo marked his return to the lineup with a significant impact, launching a three-run homer in his first plate appearance since being reinstated from the concussion injured list. This momentous event occurred during the Baltimore Orioles’ clash against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, contributing to their fifth consecutive victory with a 4-0 triumph.
Mateo’s absence stemmed from a freak accident on June 2 when he was struck in the head by teammate Cedric Mullins’ bat in the on-deck circle. However, upon his return, Mateo wasted no time in leaving his mark, driving a pitch from Max Fried over the Baltimore bullpen in the second inning.
On the pitching front, Albert Suarez turned in a stellar performance for the Orioles, limiting the Braves to just four hits over 5 1/3 innings. With an impressive display, Suarez further solidified his standing with an ERA of 1.61. Despite the loss of left-hander Danny Coulombe to the injured list prior to the game, the Baltimore bullpen rose to the occasion, effectively shutting down Atlanta’s offense.
Despite an early opportunity for the Braves with a leadoff triple by Michael Harris II in the first inning, they failed to capitalize on the scoring chance. Additionally, a promising moment for Atlanta in the second inning, with runners on first and second, was thwarted by the expansive dimensions of Camden Yards, as Sean Murphy’s deep drive to left field fell short of a home run due to the stadium’s unique layout.
Mateo’s decisive 402-foot blast in the bottom of the second inning, although only marginally farther than Murphy’s, found its destination in left-center, where the ballpark’s configuration allowed for a home run. Austin Hays contributed to the Orioles’ offensive effort with three hits, including an RBI single in the sixth inning.
For the Braves, the loss compounded a difficult stretch, as they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat. The absence of star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury further compounded their challenges. As the six-time defending champions in the NL East, the Braves find themselves trailing division-leading Philadelphia by nine games, making their upcoming matchups against the Orioles crucial for their postseason aspirations.
In terms of roster adjustments, the Orioles placed Coulombe on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation, with Bryan Baker recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to bolster the bullpen. Additionally, Connor Norby was optioned to Norfolk to accommodate Mateo’s return. Despite a scare when Cionel Pérez was struck by a comebacker in the eighth inning, he remained in the game, reflecting the resilience of the Orioles’ pitching staff amidst adversity.
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