BALTIMORE — Jorge Mateo hit a three-run homer in his first plate look after returning to the lineup, and Albert Suarez allowed 4 hits in 5 1/3 innings to steer the Baltimore Orioles to their fifth straight win, 4-0 over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday evening.
Mateo was reinstated from the concussion injured checklist and performed for the primary time since he was hit within the head by teammate Cedric Mullins’ bat in a freak accident on the on-deck circle in a June 2 sport. He hit a drive into the Baltimore bullpen within the second inning off Max Fried (6-3).
“Earlier within the depend, I used to be sitting on sure pitches,” Mateo mentioned by means of an interpreter. “However in that spot, with an 0-2 depend, I used to be simply making an attempt to place the ball in play.”
Suárez (3-0) lowered his ERA to 1.61, and the Baltimore bullpen — which misplaced left-hander Danny Coulombe to the injured checklist earlier than the sport — stored Atlanta off the scoreboard.
The Braves wasted a leadoff triple by Michael Harris II within the first inning. Then with males on first and second within the prime of the second, Sean Murphy hit a drive to left subject that stayed within the park for a flyout because of the tall, deep wall in that a part of Camden Yards. It might have been a homer in all 29 different ballparks, in accordance with Statcast.
“I assumed the wind was blowing out, based mostly off what I had checked, however it appeared like that ball sort of died,” left fielder Austin Hays mentioned. “I used to be simply making an attempt to get again to the wall and discover it, and certain sufficient I nonetheless had some room. I am glad no matter was occurring with the wind held it in a bit of bit.”
Mateo’s 402-foot shot within the backside of the inning went solely 10 toes farther than Murphy’s, however it was hit to left-center, the place the wall juts in entrance of the bullpens. It might have simply been 3-0 Atlanta after Murphy’s bid, however as a substitute the Orioles took a 3-0 benefit.
“He hit it the fitting spot,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned. “We hit our three-pointer within the flawed spot. If you’re going like we’re, that is what occurs.”
Hays had three hits, together with an RBI single within the sixth.
The Orioles optioned INF/OF Connor Norby to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Mateo.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
