The Baltimore Orioles finished their homestand with a bang.
They defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by a final of 3-0 on Thursday afternoon, in large part thanks to Trey Mancini.
Because of how baseball works, and how some owners think and do business, this could have been Mancini’s last game in Oriole Park at Camden Yards as a member of the organization.
With one out and a runner on in the bottom of the eighth, Mancini went to the plate.
The Orioles were up 1-0 at the time.
Mancini hit a high fly ball to right field, and the defensive player seemingly lost the ball in the sun.
It bounced on his head and traveled near the foul line in right field, giving Mancini ample time to take at least three bases.
But Mancini kept going and eventually scored despite his slow race to home and an awkward slide.
An Odd Inside-The-Parker For Mancini
The play was ruled as an inside-the-park home run, although it really should have been an error by the right fielder.
“If this was Trey Mancini’s last at bat as an Oriole. He went out with a BANG INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN,” Starting 9 tweeted.
If this was Trey Mancini’s last at bat as an Oriole.
He went out with a BANG
INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN@Barstooldmv pic.twitter.com/naLmFtvbBW
— Starting 9 (@Starting9) July 28, 2022
In any case, fans will take it, and Mancini will, too.
It was his tenth homer of the season, and he now has 40 RBI.
He is hitting .271/.346/.411 with a .757 OPS.
Those are good numbers, but since Mancini is about to hit free agency after the season, there is a chance the Orioles trade him to get something in return.
Even though the O’s are technically in a postseason race, it’s probably more likely to see them trade Mancini than keeping him and extending him after the season.
We will find out more about his future in a few days.
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