The Orioles fall 10-2 to the Rangers on July 2 as Jacob deGrom dominates. Gary Sánchez homers, but the loss highlights a deepening Baltimore injury crisis.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those nights in Arlington. The kind where a future Hall of Famer looks unhittable and the opposing bats look helpless. The Baltimore Orioles fell hard to the Texas Rangers, 10-2, in a game dominated by Jacob deGrom. But this loss felt heavier than just a single notch in the 'L' column. It served as a stark reminder of the adversity the club is facing, with a flurry of roster moves underscoring a deepening injury crisis, particularly behind the plate.
1.119 – The scorching June OPS for top catching prospect Samuel Basallo in Triple-A, who remains in Norfolk despite the Orioles' big-league catching woes.
The Orioles simply had no answer for Jacob deGrom on Tuesday. The Rangers ace was in vintage form, holding Baltimore to just two runs over six masterful innings to earn his fifth straight win. The Texas offense provided more than enough support, led by Adolis García, who tormented Orioles pitching with four RBIs, including a back-breaking two-run homer in the fifth. Baltimore starter Brandon Young battled but ultimately took the loss, surrendering five runs in five innings. The lone offensive spark for the Birds came from a familiar source of late: Gary Sánchez, who blasted a two-run shot in the fourth inning, scoring Gunnar Henderson. It wasn't nearly enough, as the O's left multiple runners stranded, unable to mount any sustained pressure.
The challenges extend far beyond one tough game. The Orioles' organizational depth is being tested as injuries continue to mount. On Tuesday, the team placed backup catcher Chadwick Tromp on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain, leaving the team perilously thin at the position with Adley Rutschman already sidelined. To compensate, the front office selected the contract of veteran backstop Jacob Stallings from Triple-A Norfolk and recalled outfielder Dylan Carlson. To make room, infielder Emmanuel Rivera was designated for assignment. It's a classic next-man-up scenario, but the constant shuffling highlights how critical Rutschman's absence is.
With both Rutschman and Tromp on the IL, the question on every fan's mind is: where is Samuel Basallo? The Orioles' top catching prospect is tearing the cover off the ball in Norfolk, slashing .264/.390/.579 with 16 home runs. His performance in June was particularly eye-popping, posting a 1.119 OPS. Despite the clear need at the major league level, Mike Elias and the front office are sticking to their development plan, stating there's no rush to promote the 20-year-old phenom. For now, the plan is to rely on the veteran duo of Gary Sánchez and the newly arrived Jacob Stallings, a testament to the organization's long-term, patient approach—even if it's frustrating for fans to watch in the short term.
There is some potentially good news on the injury front. Outfielder Tyler O'Neill, who has been recovering from neck inflammation, has taken a significant step forward in his recovery. The team transferred his rehab assignment to Triple-A Norfolk on July 1. This move indicates he's getting closer to a return, which would provide a much-needed power boost to an outfield that just welcomed back Dylan Carlson.
One lopsided loss doesn't define a season, but this stretch feels pivotal. The Orioles need to find a way to generate offense beyond the long ball and weather this injury storm. With two more games in Texas, the Birds will look to bounce back immediately. All eyes will remain on the health of Adley Rutschman and Tyler O'Neill, and the simmering debate over Samuel Basallo's timeline, as the team navigates one of its toughest tests of the year.
