The Baltimore Orioles secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox in a tightly contested game marked by strong pitching and limited offense on April 25. Zach Eflin’s seven shutout innings were crucial in this win, helping the Orioles hold off a late White Sox rally and earn an important result against a similarly underperforming opponent.
This win assures Baltimore at least a few days of maintaining the second-worst record in the American League, while signeficantly highlighting Eflin’s resurgence after recent difficulties. The quiet offensive duel and late defensive struggles made it a game edged on small moments and pitching dominance.
Zach Eflin’s Command Controls Most of the Game
After struggling in previous outings, Eflin found the rhythm needed to stifle Chicago’s offense, which ranks as the worst in the American League. He breezed through the first five innings, allowing only one hitter to reach base: Lenyn Sosa’s third-inning single, immediately erased by a ground ball double play from Josh Rojas.
Despite an 18-pitch first inning, Eflin efficiently used just 59 pitches through five frames, demonstrating control and poise on the mound. The sixth inning brought the closest call when Edgar Quero and Sosa singled to start the inning, sparking potential trouble for the Orioles. However, Quero was picked off second base on a throw by Adley Rutschman, with Ramón Urías applying the tag at third, ending the rally. Eflin then retired the final two batters to escape unscathed.
Orioles Offense Breaks Through in Sixth
While both starters faltered at times, Orioles’ batters capitalized on key opportunities against Jared Shuster and Sean Burke. Shuster, used as the opener, hit Jackson Holliday to lead off the game, but Baltimore’s offense struggled to sustain rallies early on despite multiple hits and base runners.
Multiple singles and walks failed to result in runs through the first five innings, with no 1-2-3 inning for Chicago’s pitchers but likewise no scoring by Baltimore. The breakthrough came in the sixth inning when Rutschman singled sharply to right field and Gunnar Henderson followed with a double down the third-base line, loading the bases for Ryan Mountcastle.
With the infield brought in to cut off a potential run, Mountcastle’s ground ball forced a diving play by shortstop Chase Meidroth, who saved a run but could not record an out at first. Bases loaded and no outs, Ryan O’Hearn came to the plate but grounded into a fateful double play, resulting in an out at home plate and ending the chance for a bigger inning.
Ramón Urías then delivered a fly ball to right field, scoring Henderson and advancing Mountcastle to third. Subsequently, Baltimore’s creativity paid off when O’Hearn stole second base, forcing a throw that Mountcastle took advantage of by scoring from third. These two runs proved decisive in the game.
Late Innings Push White Sox to the Brink
Eflin returned for the seventh inning, where he faced increased pressure but managed to navigate through a threatening two-out rally. Miguel Vargas singled, and Andrew Benintendi drew a walk, though Eflin responded by striking out Luis Robert Jr. and Joshua Palacios to end the inning. The strikeout of Palacios came on a contested call by umpire D.J. Reyburn, who ruled the pitch a strike.
Relievers Bryan Baker and Félix Bautista followed with mixed results. Baker pitched a flawless eighth inning, but Bautista struggled in the ninth. With two outs and Mike Tauchman on second, Benintendi hit a double off the wall, allowing Tauchman to score and cutting Baltimore’s lead to 2-1. Benintendi reached second base safely, setting the stage for a tense finale.
The final hurdle was Luis Robert Jr., who fought a lengthy eight-pitch at-bat fouling off multiple pitches, nearly hitting a go-ahead home run before taking a walk. Bautista appeared fatigued, but managed to escape further damage when Joshua Palacios struck out swinging on a splitter to end the game, preserving the Orioles’ win.
Upcoming Game and Impact of the Victory
The Orioles overcame both the White Sox and rainy conditions to claim this important victory, with their next game scheduled for tomorrow at 4 p.m., where Dean Kremer is expected to pitch. This win could be a confidence booster for Baltimore, especially for Zach Eflin, who showed signs of returning to form with his seven shutout innings.
For a team fighting to improve its standing in the American League, Eflin’s pitching performance combined with timely offense highlights the potential for competitive play. The close margin underscores the importance of pitching depth and situational hitting as Baltimore seeks to climb out of the league’s lower tier in forthcoming games.