Camden Yards (Photo by Tim Olewniczak/LegendsOnDeck)
The Baltimore Orioles have become one of MLB’s best performing squads during the month of June. The O’s have compiled a record of 19-8 in June with one game remaining this month against the Seattle Mariners. Baltimore’s strong play has earned them the AL East division lead and has given them strong momentum ahead of the MLB All Star break.
June has been a particularly strong month for the Orioles but it has not been without adversity. After two important divisional series against the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, Baltimore squared off against the Kansas City Royals.
In the second game of the series, Orioles’ Manny Machado confronted Royals’ pitcher Yordano Ventura and a bench clearing brawl ensued. After the dust settled, Machado received a four-game suspension. The Orioles swept the Royals but Machado ultimately missed some time later in June.
Mark Trumbo on MASN about tying the MLB record for home runs in June: "That's kind of what we do. That's kind of Orioles baseball."
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) June 29, 2016
Home runs have been a big part of Baltimore’s success in the month of June. To date, the O’s have hit 55 home runs which ties the 1996 Oakland Athletics for the most ever in the month of June. RF Mark Trumbo hit number 55 for the Orioles in Wednesday night’s 12-6 win against the San Diego Padres. The Birds have one more game remaining in June to try and gain sole possession of the June home run record.
The Orioles are currently on a seven-game winning streak. The Birds have used their brooms to sweep a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays in Baltimore and a two-game series on the road against the San Diego Padres. The squad looks to make it eight when the Birds travel to Seattle for a four-game series.
Adam Jones has helped lead the charge for the O’s in the month of June. The 30-year-old has 35 hits, 11 home runs, 5 doubles, .311 avg and .347 OBP. Jones had his struggles earlier this season but he has elevated his play to become a big reason for Baltimore’s recent surge.
O's lead all MLB teams in June in avg (.303), OBP (.359), slugging (.541), OPS (.901), HRs (54) and runs (170).
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) June 29, 2016
Starting pitching has been an issue for Baltimore this season but it has improved in recent games. Ubaldo Jimenez’s struggles this season have been well documented and he was removed from the rotation earlier this month. However, he found some success in the Orioles’ 11-7 victory over the Padres on Tuesday night. In five innings, Jimenez allowed three hits, 1 run, threw five strikeouts and earned the win. The Orioles will look to improve their pitching at the trade deadline but the club needs improved play from its current starters.
June has indeed been a very successful month for Baltimore. The Orioles’ overall record of 47-30 gives them a 5.5 game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East. Boston has struggled recently with a 3-7 record in their last ten games. The Yankees have a 5-5 record in their last ten, Toronto Blue Jays are 4-6 and the Rays are 2-8. The O’s will have an opportunity to build on June’s success with games against the Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Angels on deck before heading into the MLB All Star break.
Tim Olewniczak
Tim is a proud alumnus of the University at Buffalo and a published historian. He previously wrote for TheHockeyWriters.com where he covered the Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. He has been writing for Legends On Deck since April 2015 covering the Baltimore Orioles.
