5 Takeaways From Orioles-Twins Single-Admission Doubleheader
From Jonathan Schoop hitting dingers to Joey Rickard’s walk-up music and beyond, Slackie Brown’s Casey Pazzalia talks about the O’s doubleheader on Saturday.
BALTIMORE, Md — Due to a rainout on Friday night, the Orioles hosted Minnesota for two games on Saturday starting at 4:00 P.M ET. The Twins took both games by a combined 22–12 score and while it was ugly at times, there were some silver linings.
More Single-Admission Doubleheaders, Please
When the 2019 MLB schedule dropped, the O’s front office didn’t plan on giving the fanbase a free game. Thanks to the rainout on Friday, however, that’s pretty much what happened: two games, one ticket.
Baltimore fans, I can attest, responded to the two-for-one treat; they were a lively bunch and for Game 2 alone, the announced attendance was over 28,000.
These don’t happen by choice much anymore, as owners want to capitalize on every opportunity possible. Once upon a time, they did, but those days are long gone. That said, fans would definitely appreciate the gesture, especially if it was planned, and it could potentially help with shortening the slog of a 162-game season.
O’s Fans Deserve a Tip of the Cap
After blowing a lead and losing in the first game, the O’s started getting beaten down early in Game 2. By the time Baltimore came to bat in the fourth inning, they were already down 13–0. The crowd, to my surprise, wasn’t discouraged. Despite the deficit, they hung around and lit up when Baltimore answered back with some runs of their own.
Even though they’re aware this isn’t a playoff team, Orioles’ fans are in for the long haul; it’s something you can really appreciate as a sports fan. So, for showing up to Camden Yards on Saturday, and for sticking around, Birdland deserves a tip of the cap.
Joey Rickard’s Walk-Up Music
Since I started following Joey Rickard on Instagram, I’ve noticed we have a similar taste in rap music. So when I made my first trip to Camden Yards on Saturday, I was excited to see what he had as his walk-up music.
He didn’t disappoint: Rickard has Nipsey Hussle’s “Last Time That I Checc’d” playing in the moments before his at-bats.
I’m not sure if he’s had it all season or if it was him paying homage to the slain rapper, but either way, it’s a classic track that sounds even better rocking through Camden Yards’ speakers.
Jonathan Schoop Made O’s Fans Happy…and Sad
It’s not often you hear O’s fans cheering for the other team, yet, when Jonathan Schoop blasted a three-run jack in the fourth inning of Game 2, the crowd gave him a nice little pop.
A few innings later, he went deep again, only this time it was a lot farther and it was off former teammate (and first baseman) Chris Davis. Schoop’s second homer, which traveled 435 feet, per ESPN, was the longest of the 17 combined home runs on Saturday.
In total, Schoop went 4-for-8 in the doubleheader.
Oh…About Chris Davis
Yeah, he pitched the top of the ninth inning for Baltimore.
In one inning, Davis faced five Twins hitters to mixed results. He got a groundout to start, then allowed a homer to Schoop before striking out Ehire Adrianza. After that, he allowed a double to Byron Buxton but the bleeding stopped there as he induced a flyout for the third out.
The appearance on the mound wasn’t a first for Davis; back in 2012, he threw two innings for Baltimore, finishing that outing with an ERA of 0.00.
At the plate, Davis went 2-for-4 on the day, raising his 2019 batting average to .140. Personally, I think Davis should be in the lineup at all times — they need more game-changing pop in their lineup…immediately.
Think about it, if they go down by five or six runs in first few innings, there aren’t many O’s with the potential to get a few back in a hurry. Davis, despite all the noise, provides that.