Orioles top Rays 5-1 on June 18, 2025, as Colton Cowser's homer and Jordan Westburg's 3 hits power the win. See how Baltimore's young core dominated.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another win powered by the kids. The Baltimore Orioles once again looked like a force to be reckoned with Wednesday, dispatching the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays 5-1. The big blow came from Colton Cowser, who shattered a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning with a go-ahead solo shot, proving yet again that this team's future is its present.
Four Orioles relievers combined for four scoreless innings, lowering the bullpen ERA to a minuscule 1.76 since May 24.
While Cowser's homer was the turning point, the offense was a team effort. Jordan Westburg was a machine, racking up three hits, and Dylan Carlson matched him with a three-hit night of his own. The veteran presence was felt too, as Ramón Laureano drove in two crucial runs and showcased his cannon arm with his 54th career outfield assist to cut down a runner. With eight of the nine starters recording a hit, including late RBI singles from Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday, the lineup showed its relentless depth from top to bottom.
On the mound, Dean Kremer delivered exactly the start Baltimore needed. He battled through five innings, allowing just one run on four hits to earn his sixth win of the season. From there, the lights-out Orioles bullpen took over. Four relievers combined for four perfect innings, continuing a stretch of nearly unbelievable dominance. Their collective ERA since late May now sits at a stunning 1.76, a figure that has become the backbone of the team's recent run of 12 wins in 17 games. The performance came on a day the O's promoted LHP Trevor Rogers from Norfolk, signaling a continued effort to keep the pitching staff fresh and formidable.
While the major league club is soaring, the pipeline that built this contender is facing some headwinds. A new report on the farm system shows a surprising struggle across all four full-season affiliates, with most ranking near the bottom in key statistical categories. The number of O's in the Top 100 prospects has dwindled to just two, and recent call-up Heston Kjerstad has found it tough to translate his minor league power to the bigs. It's not all doom and gloom, however. RHP Trey Gibson is turning heads with his swing-and-miss stuff, and outfielder Stiven Martinez is making waves in the Florida Complex League, offering a glimmer of the next wave.
The Orioles leave Steinbrenner Field with another decisive victory, further solidifying their status as a top-tier team. The formula is clear: young stars delivering at the plate and a lockdown bullpen closing things out. While the state of the farm system is a storyline to watch, the focus for now remains squarely on the present. This team is built to win now, and they're proving it every single night.
