Game observations
Santana shows O’s what might’ve been
The guy who tied the Orioles lineup in knots Tuesday night could have just as easily been pitching for the O’s.
Right-hander Ervin Santana was available as a free agent during the spring of 2014, but the Orioles decided to sign Ubaldo Jiménez to a four-year deal instead and Santana went to the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, make-good deal.
Who knows what would have happened if he had come here, but he made good with 14 victories in 2014 and went on to sign a four-year deal with the Minnesota Twins, who are now on the verge of sweeping a three-game series at Oriole Park after scoring a 2-0 victory.
Santana went right at the Orioles lineup and the O’s hitters went right at him, as evidenced by the fact that he needed just six pitches to get through the first inning. He also had a six-pitch inning in the sixth and a seven-pitch inning in the seventh as he cruised into the ninth without hitting the 100 mark.
“He was mixing his pitches well, using his off-speed more than he had in his other starts this year, I’d say, according to the scouting reports,’’ Orioles left fielder Trey Mancini said. “His cutter was really effective. It looked good out of his hand, and then he just missed barrels with it and I think that’s what really set him apart tonight.”
Santana went the distance and allowed just two hits and two walks on the way to his 10th career shutout and seventh victory, which tied him with Dallas Keuchel and Clayton Kershaw for the major league lead.
“I think he came in second in the league in ERA. ... Good pitcher,” Orioles manager
The Orioles (25-19) lost their third game in a row and ninth of the past 12.
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