Orioles' offense stalls in 3-2 loss to Rangers in Dean Kremer's return to Arlington

ARLINGTON, Texas — Dean Kremer’s return to Globe Life Field went much better than the last time he pitched there. The result was still the same.

In October, the Rangers pounded Kremer for six runs in 1 2/3 innings to complete their sweep of the Orioles in the American League Division Series. It was Kremer’s first playoff start, and his struggles — with his offense scoring only one run — led to the end of Baltimore’s magical season after just three playoff games.

Sunday, Kremer made it into the sixth inning and allowed just three runs for a serviceable start. But his offense hit more like Baltimore’s playoff swan song than the previous two nights as the Orioles couldn’t complete the sweep with a 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

All three of Kremer’s runs scored on a three-run homer from Jonah Heim in the fourth inning.

Baltimore’s bats used up most of their power Friday and Saturday — combining for seven home runs and 17 runs — and didn’t leave enough left over Sunday. The Orioles’ lone offense came from Anthony Santander’s scorching-hot bat, as the switch-hitter blasted a two-run homer in the eighth to breathe life into an offense that had only four hits prior.

Santander began the season slow and entered June with nine home runs — half the total of teammate Gunnar Henderson at the time. Now, Santander, one of the Orioles’ five All-Stars last week, has 27 long balls, one behind Henderson and fifth most in the majors.

Aside from Santander, who has four homers in his past four games, Baltimore’s offense looked more like it did before the All-Star break than in the first two games of the series. Against left-hander Andrew Heaney and his bullpen, the Orioles were 5 for 31 (.161) and 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Rangers closer Kirby Yates, also an All-Star, retired Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad and Cedric Mullins in order in the ninth to slam the door.

Baltimore falls to 60-39 but remains atop the American League East with a two-game lead over the New York Yankees, who lost to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.

Around the horn

— Gunnar Henderson was originally out of the Orioles’ lineup when it was first made public, but it was updated later with him in his normal spot atop the order and at shortstop. He replaced Ramón Urías, who was originally listed at third base after his first three-hit game of the season Saturday. No reason was given by the Orioles for the switch. Manager Brandon Hyde doesn’t speak with the media pregame on Sundays.

— Ryan O’Hearn didn’t play Sunday after taking a 95 mph fastball off his left knee. He said his bruised knee is “very sore” but that it “feels better than I thought it was going to.” On Saturday, O’Hearn became the first player in AL history with two hit by pitches, two walks and a home run in the same game. His long ball came in the at-bat after he was plunked the second time, and with 15 friends and family members in attendance, he’s happy he stayed in the game. O’Hearn grew up in Texas, and the homer was his first in 11 games in Arlington. “To finally get one here in front of my family is very cool,” he said.

— In his first time speaking with the media since he was hit in the head by a 96 mph fastball, Heston Kjerstad said it took him only a few days to feel back to normal after he was placed on the concussion injured list last weekend. Kjerstad was reinstated Saturday and started in right field. “Anytime you take a pitch to the head, it can be pretty bad,” he said. “Thankfully, it could’ve been a lot worse and getting out of that one with a mild concussion is probably best-case scenario.”

— Former Orioles pitching prospect DL Hall started against Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday during his minor league rehabilitation assignment with the Nashville Sounds (Brewers). Hall allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings as he makes his way back from a sprained knee. The Orioles traded Hall and Joey Ortiz, a National League Rookie of the Year candidate, to Milwaukee for ace Corbin Burnes this offseason.

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