The injury-plagued Orioles fell to the Angels 7-3 on June 13, 2025, as Charlie Morton struggled. Adley Rutschman homered, but can the O's stop the slide?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another frustrating night at Camden Yards as the injury-riddled Orioles dropped their third straight game, falling 7-3 to the Los Angeles Angels. The series opener felt like a recurring theme for the Birds: a shaky starting pitching performance putting them in an early hole that even a few bright spots on offense couldn't dig them out of. The loss stings, but it's the story behind the box score—a team simply trying to stay afloat—that has Birdland holding its breath.
'We’re battling through a lot right now, but I’m proud of the way our guys keep fighting. We need to clean up some things, but the effort is there.' - Interim Manager Tony Mansolino
The main culprit on Friday was veteran starter Charlie Morton, whose difficult season continued. Morton (2-8) just couldn't find his rhythm, lasting only 4.1 innings and getting tagged for six runs (five earned) on eight hits. A disastrous four-run fifth inning, punctuated by a two-run double from Mike Trout and a solo shot by Jorge Soler, effectively put the game out of reach. While the bullpen was a bright spot, combining for 4.2 innings of one-run ball, the damage was already done.
Despite the loss, there were glimmers of hope. Adley Rutschman continued his All-Star caliber season, launching his 15th home run of the year, a solo shot in the seventh that tied him for the team lead. Jackson Holliday also looked sharp, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Earlier in the day, Holliday shared a video of his pre-game batting practice on Instagram, and that hard work clearly translated to the field. These young cornerstones are proving they can produce even when the team is scuffling.
It's impossible to discuss the Orioles' current slide without acknowledging the infirmary. The team is playing severely shorthanded with key contributors like outfielder Colton Cowser (fractured left thumb), ace-in-the-making Grayson Rodriguez (right elbow inflammation), catcher Gary Sanchez (right wrist inflammation), and infielder Jordan Westburg (strained left hamstring) all on the injured list. This has forced the O's to rely on recent call-ups like Kade Strowd and Maverick Handley, testing the organization's depth in a major way.
Through it all, interim manager Tony Mansolino is focused on the team's character. 'We’re battling through a lot right now, but I’m proud of the way our guys keep fighting,' he told reporters after the game. 'We need to clean up some things, but the effort is there.' His message reflects the reality of the situation: this is a period of survival. With no trades or major roster moves announced, the Orioles have to win with the players they have available.
The Orioles will look to even the series against the Angels tomorrow, hoping for a better performance on the mound to support the bats of Rutschman and Holliday. The path forward is clear but challenging: weather this injury storm, get key players healthy, and stay within striking distance. This tough stretch is a test of resilience, and Birdland is watching to see how their fighting O's respond.
