Orioles fail to build on the good vibes from Monday’s wild win, drop game to Rockies

DENVER — Before Tuesday’s game began, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz acknowledged his rookie reliever may require an opportunity to ease into the majors. Left-hander Luis De León, a 23-year-old called up as rosters expanded, has a bright future but is a bit raw.

“We’re not going to ambush him and throw him in the fire right away,” Albernaz said, before he added wryly, “I’ve done that enough this year with guys.”

The aspiration is easier said than done, however, given the high-pressure environment of a major league game. So right after Jackson Holliday tied the game in the top of the seventh with a solo homer, Baltimore turned to De León.

A 2-2 game in the seventh inning at Coors Field may not be the fire, but it’s certainly hot. And it only got hotter when Holliday dropped what should’ve been the first out of the inning — misreading a popup down the right-field line.

And two batters later, after De León recorded his big league strikeout, TJ Rumfield welcomed the reliever to the majors by hitting a go-ahead, two-run home run.

Rumfield’s blast against De León was the difference in what became a 4-2 victory for the Colorado Rockies in the second game of this series, but the Orioles missed multiple opportunities at the plate that would’ve ensured their pitching staff didn’t need to be so perfect.

In doing so, the Orioles failed to build on the momentum captured in a wild Monday victory. Their four-game winning streak ended, and the Orioles are now 69-70 — and 1.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League wild-card spot.

Baltimore stranded the bases loaded in the fifth, attempted a hit-and-run in the sixth that resulted in a swing and miss and thrown-out runner, and the Orioles stranded two more runners in the eighth.

None of that made it easier for De León, who hung a breaking ball to Rumfield and watched it leave the yard. The error from Holliday, particularly, added pressure on the debutant.

On a high fly ball in shallow right field, Holliday overran the ball, then attempted to lean back to make the play near the line.

“They’re not exactly the easiest plays. Big leaguers make it look probably too easy,” Holliday said. “But I’ve got to make that play, and it unfortunately led to a homer, which usually stuff like that does. It’s pretty frustrating, obviously, putting together a good at-bat the inning before and turn around and give them the lead right back. Can’t happen.”

In an ideal world, Albernaz would have been able to offer De León a less-tense setting. As it is, De León handled the situation well. He pounded the zone with strikes.

De León was warming while the Rockies had a one-run lead, and the Orioles weren’t going to burn him, given how taxed their bullpen has been of late.

“He wasn’t fazed at all,” Albernaz said. “That was outstanding work tonight. Obviously, the two-run shot was tough, but he made pitches. It was one bad pitch, but [the outing] was really impressive.”

When asked if the situation made him hesitant to turn to the young lefty, Albernaz said, “No, not at all.”

“We’re more than comfortable going there with him, and he threw the ball extremely well,” he said.

Nor did De León appear rattled in any way postgame. He said he’d like one pitch back, but apart from that, he was happy with how he handled the emotions of his debut and threw strikes.

“That’s something I’m very pleased with, knowing in my debut I was able to come into that spot and fill the zone,” he said though team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “Something I’m very proud of, for sure.”

While games at Coors Field tend to become high-scoring affairs, the Orioles combined to score four runs in the first two games of the series. The first run Tuesday came home in the third on a bizarre play that became a double play.

With one out and runners on the corners, Gunnar Henderson pulled a grounder to Rumfield at first. Rumfield tagged first base, then threw to second base. Pete Alonso was caught between the bases, so he attempted to dive back into first safely. Alonso was tagged out. But he lasted long enough as a live runner to allow Carlos Narváez to score from third prior to the third out being recorded.

Holliday’s seventh-inning homer was the only other breakthrough. In the fifth, the Rockies pitched around Alonso, preferring to walk him and load the bases. They played the matchup game, calling in left-hander Brennan Bernardino to face Henderson. Bernardino forced Henderson into an inning-ending flyout.

Leody Taveras, who has done well with runners in scoring position this year, couldn’t come through in the eighth. After Dylan Beavers doubled and Samuel Basallo reached on a hit-by-pitch with two outs, Taveras struck out.

Had the Orioles produced more offensively, this was a winnable game.

“The at-bats, I think, could have been better,” Albernaz said. “It seemed like we were taking some hittable fastballs and then chasing a little bit, which is uncharacteristic for us, and I think our guys are at that time of year where they’re feeling it. Also, they know where we’re at and they want to try to do too much. It’s the beauty of baseball. It’s just one game, and then turn the page and come out tomorrow.”

Given the innings load Kyle Bradish has already handled this year — his first full season back from elbow reconstruction surgery — the Orioles pushed the right-hander’s start back a day. Left-hander Cade Povich started Monday and provided five innings of one-run ball.

Bradish wasn’t his sharpest, but he also held the Rockies in check. He issued two walks and allowed five hits but conceded two runs in five innings.

Then De León, thrust into a big moment immediately upon arriving in the majors, allowed the two-run homer that sealed it for the Rockies.

The home run was an unfortunate part of his debut. But years down the line, when De León thinks of this whirlwind day, something else will matter so much more.

De León got the ball from his first major league strikeout. His parents, in the Dominican Republic, couldn’t be in Denver on Tuesday. He hopes he can obtain visas for them next season, so they can see him pitch in person.

But for the time being, he’s holding onto that ball so he can give it to his mother this winter when he arrives home.

What does she mean to De León?

“Todo.”

Everything.

“She really does mean everything, her and my dad,” he said.

That emotion will carry on much longer than a home run can fly.