The Baltimore Orioles will try to avoid getting swept for the first time in 2023 when they conclude a three-game series on Thursday against the host Milwaukee Brewers.
A defeat also would see Baltimore match its season worst with a three-game losing skid. The Orioles dropped three straight from May 6-8.
Joey Wiemer has vexed Baltimore through the series’ first two games, hitting a game-winning single to lift Milwaukee to a 4-3, 10-inning win on Tuesday, then going a 4-for-4 with a pair of two-run home runs as the Brewers crushed the Orioles 10-2 on Wednesday.
The rookie began June batting .195 but is on an eight-game hitting streak that started on May 31 at Toronto. He is 13-for-27 (.481) during the streak. His four hits and five RBIs on Wednesday both marked career highs.
“It’s a little higher right now than it has been,” Wiemer said to Bally Sports Wisconsin, referring to his confidence following the Wednesday win. “But I’m still not going to (hang) my hat on it. Still got to go out there and play every day.”
Wiemer, whose batting average has climbed to .231, looks to keep it going on Thursday against Baltimore right-hander Kyle Bradish, who has never opposed the Brewers.
Bradish (2-2, 4.13 ERA) is coming off a road loss to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. He gave up seven hits and three runs over four innings in a 4-0 defeat.
The Orioles have gone 1-3 starting with that loss and are 2-4 over their past six dating.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, has won five of six and seven of its past 10 since ending a three-game skid on May 28.
The Brewers will attempt to close out their first sweep since taking three from the visiting Kansas City Royals from May 12-14.
Colin Rea (3-3, 4.94 ERA) will make the start for the Brewers, aiming for his fourth win in as many appearances.
The right-hander gave up three runs on six hits in five innings during his latest start, a 10-8 Brewers win at Cincinnati on Saturday. He walked three and struck out five.
Rea will oppose Baltimore for the first time in his career.
The Orioles will aim to kickstart their offense at Rea’s expense in the matinee. Their two runs in the ninth inning on Wednesday ended a string of 16 innings in which they scored only once.
Baltimore squandered an opportunity for more in the ninth, as it had the bases loaded with no outs. Ryan McKenna grounded into a double play to plate the second run but kill any momentum.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde credited much of his team’s offensive struggles on the night to Milwaukee starter Corbin Burnes, who allowed just two hits over eight scoreless innings.
“He had great stuff tonight, kind of back to Cy Young stuff like he threw a couple years ago. But just had a tough time,” Hyde said to MASN Baltimore. “Hopefully we come back and be ready (on Thursday).”
A positive at the plate for Baltimore was Austin Hays, who connected for a hit in a third consecutive game and for the fourth time in his past five outings.
Hays ended the Brewers’ shutout bid on Wednesday with an RBI single in the ninth inning.
–Field Level Media
