– by Adesina O. Koiki
A Lot of Sports Talk editor-in-chief
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BALTIMORE — The time finally came for 22-year-old Coby Mayo, the first hit of what many hope will be the beginning of a promising career.
Gunnar Henderson, one year Mayo’s senior, had that time come for him two years ago, and his latest hit on Wednesday night added to his growing legend.
Henderson popped his 30th career home run onto Eutaw Street, the game winning hit for the Baltimore Orioles in their 4-1 victory over the Washington Nationals inside Oriole Park at Camden Yards to earn a split of the two-game series. Dean Kremer allowed just one run on five hits in six innings of work, while the Orioles bullpen, in a mini crisis as it has struggled to find a consistent closer with the struggles of Craig Kimbrel, combined for three innings of hitless relief to close out the game.
Mayo’s call-up to the Majors was precipitated by an injury to another of Baltimore’s fine young prospects, All-Star third baseman Jordan Westburg, who had fractured his wrist earlier in the month and went on the injured list. Mayo had been tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A Norfolk, but his first 12 days as a big leaguer came and went without a hit. Facing left-hander DJ Herz to begin the fifth inning, Mayo lined a 1-0 slider to left field to finally break his duck in his 19th career plate appearance.
“This coaching staff, and this organization as a whole, has done a great job throughout the Minor Leagues of preparing us for this moment,” Mayo said. “Struggling comes with every level. If you don’t struggle at first, you’re going to struggle at some point. Hopefully, this is the right step forward and this can keep going.”
*Editor’s note: Above the byline is the photo gallery from Wednesday evening’s game, with photos taken by DC-area photographer Tim Rice. After clicking on a photo to enlarge the picture, press the left and right arrow buttons on either side of the caption to scroll through the rest of the pictures that appear on the first page, Also, click on the numbers and/or arrow appearing immediately below the picture grid to load the next set of photos. There are 29 pictures in total.
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