Before managing what could perhaps be one of Major League Baseball’s final seven-inning doubleheaders, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde expressed an appreciation for the shortened games introduced amid the coronavirus pandemic. For a team like Baltimore, the benefits appeared quickly: When starting pitcher Dean Kremer lasted four innings in his return to the majors Saturday, the bullpen had to hold a lead for only three innings instead of five.
But that wasn’t enough to stop the slugging Toronto Blue Jays from rallying for four runs in the top of the seventh against Orioles closer Tyler Wells for an 11-10 victory to open the doubleheader.