Corbin Burnes had a game to remember, but sadly it won’t be because of a win, as the Baltimore Orioles dropped the first game of the Wild Card Series against the Kansas Royals 1-0 on an historic performance that felt short because of lack of offense.

Burnes had a stellar performance as he was on the mound for 8+ inning, taking as he only allowed only one run on five hits and he walked only one batter. He took the game into the ninth inning but the offense never helped.

He left game to a standing ovation and deservingly so but, however the Royals’ staff had a good performance as well. Cole Ragans had six innings of work allowing only four hits and struck out eight and got help from his bullpen, unlike Burnes from his offense.

The historic fact

Corbin Burnes had an historic night. His eight innings plus of work was the longest outing by a Baltimore Orioles pitcher since 1997; Scott Erickson also pitched eight innings to start the American League Championship Series against the then Cleveland Indians.

Of course, the Orioles have only appeared in four other playoffs series since that year until this 2024 Wild Card Round. Baltimore will need to improve their offense for Game 2 as they are facing elimination.

The Orioles have lost in the Division Series of the 2012 and 2023 seasons, in 2014 they faced the same Kansas City Royals only to lose in the American League Championship Series and in 2016 they lost in the Wild Card, they need more from their bats to surpass this version of the Royals.