BALTIMORE — If that’s his last at-bat as an Oriole at Camden Yards, there might be no better way to go out.
With rumors swirling less than a week out from the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline, Trey Mancini hit an inside-the-park home run to pad the Orioles’ lead in the eighth inning of a 3-0 win over the Rays. The ball, lofted into deep right field, glanced off the face of Rays outfielder Josh Lowe as Mancini booked it around the bases. Lowe was not physically injured on the play, saying postgame that he was “more embarrassed by the whole thing than anything.”
By the time Mancini was home, sliding just under the tag of Rays catcher René Pinto, the standing ovation he received prior to his at-bat had morphed into another echelon of decibels. Mancini, who’s said he prepared for this homestand as if they could be his last as an Oriole, met the begs for a curtain call on the top of the dugout steps, blowing kisses and waving to the 16,784 fans chanting his name.
There’s no guarantee Mancini is moved before the Trade Deadline, with various contenders rumored to be in on him. If the Orioles deem themselves contenders, they may very well hold onto him.
But baseball is unpredictable. Just like it was on this Thursday afternoon in Baltimore. Just like Mancini has long learned.