Orioles fall to Cleveland 3-2 on July 24, 2025, as a late rally fails. Despite Zach Eflin's return and a hot bat from Jackson Holliday, the skid continues.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a frustratingly familiar story for the Baltimore Orioles. For the third straight night in Cleveland, the Birds battled, only to see the game slip through their fingers in the late innings. A go-ahead RBI single from Steven Kwan in the eighth inning off a struggling Colin Selby was the final dagger in a 3-2 loss, marking the Orioles' seventh defeat in their last eight games and sinking them to a dismal 1-5 on this crucial road trip.
Jackson Holliday continues to be a bright spot for the Orioles, now batting .261 with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs on the season.
The bullpen, a reliable strength for much of the season, has become the team's Achilles' heel on this road trip. Colin Selby, who also took the loss in the series opener, was tagged with another one Wednesday night. After entering a 2-2 tie, he allowed the decisive run to score on Kwan's two-out single. It's a tough look for the reliever (0-2), who has been put in high-leverage spots and been unable to deliver, amplifying the team's current slide.
It wasn't all bad news for the Orioles. The starting rotation received a much-needed boost with the return of Zach Eflin from the injured list. While he wasn't dominant, Eflin gave the team five solid innings, allowing just two runs in his first start back from lower back discomfort. He kept the Orioles in the game, which is all you can ask for. The offense, meanwhile, was sparked by the franchise's future. Top prospect Jackson Holliday crushed his 14th home run of the year, a solo shot in the sixth that tied the game and provided a jolt of energy that the team desperately needed.
While the major league club struggles, positive news is bubbling up from the farm. Right-hander Kyle Bradish is set to begin his official rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen today, a massive step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He could be a factor in the Orioles' rotation by August. He's not alone, either. Lefty Cade Povich is continuing his own rehab at Triple-A Norfolk, and Tyler Wells has progressed to facing live hitters. The cavalry is coming, but the question is whether the current squad can stop the bleeding before they arrive.
All eyes now turn to Thursday's series finale, where veteran Charlie Morton will take the mound. The task is simple but daunting: play the role of stopper and prevent a sweep at the hands of the Guardians. A win would not only snap the losing streak but provide a desperately needed morale boost before the team heads home. Another loss, however, would deepen the hole and raise more serious questions about this mid-season swoon.
