The Orioles collapsed in a 13-3 loss to the Phillies on Aug 5, 2025, as Kyle Schwarber's grand slam led an 8-run inning. Read how the O's fell to 51-62.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night that started with so much promise and ended in a familiar, frustrating fashion. The Orioles jumped out to an early lead in Philadelphia, only to watch it crumble under a relentless home run assault from the Phillies in a lopsided 13-3 loss. As the dust settled on the blowout, the front office was already making moves, signaling that while the team may be struggling, they aren't standing still.
The Phillies broke the game open with an eight-run sixth inning, highlighted by Kyle Schwarber’s grand slam and Harrison Bader’s three-run homer.
For a few innings, it looked like the Orioles might steal one on the road. A two-run blast from Tyler O’Neill and a solo shot from Jordan Westburg gave Baltimore an early 3-1 advantage. Starter Cade Povich was holding his own, but the wheels came off spectacularly in the sixth inning. The Phillies unleashed an eight-run onslaught, turning a close game into a laugher. Former Oriole Kyle Schwarber did the most damage, launching a two-run homer and a back-breaking grand slam for his 40th of the season. When Harrison Bader added a three-run homer in the same frame, the game was officially out of reach, dropping Povich to 2-6 and the Orioles to a bleak 51-62 on the season.
In the wake of the pitching meltdown, the Orioles' front office made a move to address the bullpen. On Tuesday, the team claimed 31-year-old right-handed pitcher Rico Garcia off waivers from the New York Mets. Garcia brings a veteran arm to a relief corps that has been taxed and inconsistent. To make room, second baseman Terrin Vavra, who had been designated for assignment, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. It's a clear attempt to find a spark and add depth to a pitching staff that desperately needs it.
While Vavra heads back to the Tides, another key player is making progress in Norfolk. Ace-in-waiting Kyle Bradish is continuing his rehab from elbow surgery, and the reports are encouraging. The team is hopeful for a late August return, which would be a monumental boost for a rotation that has felt his absence all season. The addition of a fresh arm like Garcia provides immediate help, but the potential return of Bradish is the long-term hope that fans are clinging to.
Last night's 13-3 drubbing was a tough pill to swallow, no question. But today's roster moves show a front office actively trying to plug the leaks. While claiming a reliever off waivers won't solve everything, it's an action. The real light at the end of the tunnel remains the health of the pitching staff, with Kyle Bradish's return looming as the most significant potential upgrade. The O's will look to flush this loss and come back stronger tomorrow, hoping to salvage something from this series in Philadelphia.
