Eflin Throws 6 Quality Innings but Leaves with Shoulder Fatigue as Orioles Beat Diamondbacks 5-1

The Baltimore Orioles emerged victorious in a tightly contested matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 8, 2025, with a 5-1 win that was highlighted by a solid performance from starting pitcher Zach Eflin. Eflin, who had struggled with consistency in the early part of the season, was able to bounce back and give the Orioles a much-needed quality start, though his outing was cut short due to shoulder fatigue. Despite his early exit, the Orioles were able to capitalize on the Diamondbacks’ mistakes and take control of the game, securing the win in front of a lively home crowd at Oriole Park.

Zach Eflin: A Strong, Yet Short Start

Zach Eflin’s start was one of the biggest storylines of the game. He came into the contest with a 2-1 record and a 4.20 ERA, showing flashes of the pitcher the Orioles had hoped for when they signed him during the offseason. His performance on the mound against Arizona was a step in the right direction, but it was a bittersweet outing as Eflin was forced to leave the game after the sixth inning due to shoulder fatigue.

Eflin looked sharp early on, cruising through the Diamondbacks’ lineup with efficiency. He allowed just two hits and struck out five over six innings, showing excellent command of his fastball and curveball. His ability to keep the Diamondbacks off balance was a testament to his improved pitch selection and a focus on attacking the strike zone. However, after completing six innings, Eflin complained of discomfort in his throwing shoulder, leading the Orioles to pull him from the game as a precaution.

Despite the injury scare, the Orioles are hopeful that this will only be a minor issue and that Eflin will avoid a lengthy stint on the injured list. Manager Brandon Hyde, who praised Eflin for his performance on the mound, mentioned that the team’s medical staff would evaluate him further following the game, but they did not expect the issue to be serious.

“I think Zach really showed what he’s capable of tonight,” Hyde said after the game. “He was executing his pitches, keeping the ball down in the zone, and getting the ground balls that we needed. Unfortunately, he had to come out early, but we’ll see how he feels over the next couple of days.”

A Solid Relief Performance from the Orioles Bullpen

With Eflin exiting the game, the Orioles bullpen had to step up to close out the remaining three innings. Fortunately for Baltimore, the relief corps was up to the challenge. Dillon Tate came in to relieve Eflin in the seventh and threw a scoreless inning, showing no ill effects from his own previous injury concerns. Tate’s fastball was lively, and he was able to mix in his slider to keep Arizona’s hitters guessing.

The eighth inning saw a strong performance from Cionel Pérez, who struck out two of the three batters he faced, relying on his devastating slider to freeze Arizona’s hitters. Closer Félix Bautista entered the game in the ninth and finished things off without any drama, securing his fifth save of the season. It was a reminder of the strength of the Orioles’ bullpen, which has been one of the team’s most reliable assets early in the season.

“We’ve been real good out of the bullpen,” Hyde said. “These guys came in, and they did their job. We know our bullpen is a strength, and we’re confident when we have to go to it.”

Offense Continues to Deliver

The Orioles’ offense was efficient throughout the game, capitalizing on key opportunities to put runs on the board. The team scored five runs on seven hits, making the most of their chances against Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly.

Ryan Mountcastle was the star at the plate for the Orioles, going 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run. Mountcastle’s homer in the third inning off Kelly gave the Orioles a 3-0 lead and was a big momentum shift in the game. His power has been a consistent threat for Baltimore, and his early-season performance has given the team confidence in their lineup.

“I feel good at the plate right now,” Mountcastle said. “I’m just trying to stay locked in and keep things simple. It’s been a good stretch, and I’m looking to keep it going.”

Cedric Mullins also contributed with a key leadoff double in the bottom of the first, setting the tone for the game. Mullins would later score on a sac fly by Austin Hays, giving the Orioles a quick 1-0 lead. Mullins’ speed on the base paths continues to be a key factor for the team, and his ability to get on base early in games has been vital for the Orioles’ offense.

Despite leaving a few runners stranded, the Orioles were able to extend their lead in the sixth inning, thanks to a two-run single by Gunnar Henderson. The hit, which came with two outs, gave the Orioles a 5-1 advantage and essentially put the game out of reach.

“One of the things that’s really impressed me so far this year is our ability to string together good at-bats,” Hyde said. “We’re not relying on just one or two guys to carry us. It’s been a team effort all the way around.”

Diamondbacks Struggles at the Plate

For the Arizona Diamondbacks, it was a frustrating night offensively. Merrill Kelly struggled from the outset, allowing three runs over five innings before giving way to the bullpen. Kelly’s inability to control the Orioles’ lineup proved costly, as the Orioles capitalized on his mistakes and put up runs when they needed to.

Offensively, the Diamondbacks had very little to show for their efforts. Arizona managed just five hits in the game, with Corbin Carroll accounting for two of them. Carroll has been one of the few bright spots in the Diamondbacks’ lineup this season, but even he could not get things going against the Orioles’ pitching staff.

Ketel Marte, one of Arizona’s most consistent hitters, went 0-for-3 in the game and failed to get on base. Christian Walker, another key player in the lineup, also struggled, going hitless in four at-bats. The Diamondbacks’ offense has been a work in progress this season, and this game was a reminder of how much they need to improve at the plate if they want to compete in the NL West.

Manager Torey Lovullo was not happy with his team’s performance after the game. “We couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it. We had some chances, but we didn’t take advantage of them,” Lovullo said. “We’re a much better team than what we showed tonight, and we need to do a better job of executing.”

Key Takeaways:

1. Zach Eflin’s Performance: Despite the early exit due to shoulder fatigue, Eflin’s six strong innings were a big positive for the Orioles. If the injury turns out to be minor, this start could be a turning point for the right-hander.
2. Offensive Depth: The Orioles’ offense continues to produce up and down the lineup, with Ryan Mountcastle and Gunnar Henderson leading the way. The team has shown it can score runs in different ways, making them a dangerous opponent.
3. Diamondbacks’ Offensive Woes: The Diamondbacks’ struggles with the bat were evident in this game, and they will need to figure out a way to get their offense clicking if they want to remain competitive in the NL West.
4. Strong Bullpen Performance: The Orioles’ bullpen, particularly Dillon Tate, Cionel Pérez, and Félix Bautista, delivered a shutdown performance in relief of Eflin, further solidifying their status as one of the top bullpens in the league.

Looking Ahead

The Orioles will look to build on this win as they head into the remainder of their series with the Diamondbacks. The team will need to continue to rely on its depth, both on the mound and at the plate, while also keeping an eye on Eflin’s shoulder situation. For the Diamondbacks, they’ll need to regroup quickly and find ways to generate more offense, especially against quality pitching like Eflin’s.

As for Eflin, the Orioles are hopeful that his injury won’t sideline him for too long. If he can continue to pitch like he did before the injury, the Orioles could have a key piece in their rotation moving forward.

Overall, this 5-1 victory for the Orioles was a well-rounded team effort that demonstrated their potential, but the looming question about Eflin’s shoulder will remain a key storyline in the days to come.