Charlie Morton's 10 Ks lead the Orioles to a 2-0 shutout win over the Angels on June 14, 2025. See how Morton and homers from O'Hearn silenced the Halos.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a performance that Orioles fans have been desperately craving, the pitching staff delivered a masterpiece on a rainy Saturday at Camden Yards. Led by a vintage Charlie Morton, who fanned a season-high 10 batters, the Orioles completely silenced the Los Angeles Angels in a 2-0 shutout victory, providing a much-needed bright spot for a staff that has struggled for consistency all season.
Despite the shutout, the Orioles began the day with a staff ERA of 5.00, the second-worst in the American League.
Veteran Charlie Morton was the star of the show, navigating two separate rain delays to deliver five masterful innings. He was electric, striking out 10 Angels and repeatedly working his way out of early trouble. Though the weather cut his outing short, Morton set an imposing tone for the entire game, reminding everyone of the ace-like stuff he still possesses.
While the pitchers were dealing, the offense provided just enough thunder to secure the win. Ryan O'Hearn continued his stellar season, launching his 10th home run in the second inning to give the O's the lead. O'Hearn now leads the team with a .310 batting average. Not to be outdone, Ramón Laureano added a solo shot of his own in the fifth, his eighth of the year, providing a crucial insurance run.
After Morton's exit, the Orioles' bullpen slammed the door shut. Yennier Cano, Gregory Soto, and Bryan Baker passed the baton flawlessly before handing it to 'The Mountain.' Closer Félix Bautista was simply overpowering, pitching the final two innings to lock down his 12th save in 13 chances. The combined effort resulted in 14 strikeouts from the O's staff and a statement shutout.
As fantastic as this win was, it's a reminder of what this team *could* be if the pitching finds its footing. Entering the day with a bloated 5.00 staff ERA—second-worst in the AL—this kind of dominant performance is the exception, not the rule. With key arms like Grayson Rodriguez still on the 60-day IL, the Orioles need more outings like this to build momentum and prove they can sustain this level of success on the mound.
This was a feel-good win, plain and simple. The O's have now won 20 of their last 25 against the Angels, and they did it with a formula fans love: dominant pitching and timely home runs. The challenge now is to replicate it. Can the pitching staff build on this performance and start stringing together quality starts? That remains the biggest question as the Orioles look to continue their homestand and climb the standings.
