BALTIMORE (AP) — The Orioles spent much of the day bolstering their pitching staff — then showed why it needed help.
Craig Kimbrel allowed a two-run homer in the ninth inning by Jurickson Profar, and the San Diego Padres beat Baltimore 6-4 on Friday night. Earlier in the day, the Orioles acquired reliever Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache in a trade with Philadelphia, then obtained right-handed starter Zach Eflin from Tampa Bay.
“Zach’s somebody we’ve seen a lot and I’ve heard unbelievable things about him. Postseason tested,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "He’s a true professional. Everybody talks about how great of a guy he is and what he can bring to the clubhouse and our pitching staff, and we’re looking for pitching and it’s nice to add a quality starter like Zach.”
AL East-leading Baltimore is trying for its second straight division title, but the Orioles have had to work around season-ending injuries to starting pitchers Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells. The 30-year-old Eflin is 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA.
Baltimore's bullpen has also been shaky at times. Kimbrel had blown saves in two of his previous three appearances, then came on in a tie game Friday and allowed the decisive homer.
“Balls are kind of thigh high, middle part of the plate,” Hyde said. “He gets ahead of Profar with a base open and then just leaves one in the middle part of the plate. That’s what he’s done the past few days.”
Domínguez made his Orioles debut with a scoreless eighth, although he allowed two hits.
Baltimore not only could use help in the rotation this year, but also in 2025 — because of those injuries and ace Corbin Burnes' eligibility for free agency. Eflin is signed through 2025 and due to make $18 million next year.
Tampa Bay will play Baltimore $1 million as part of the deal, covering the amount of the assignment bonus in Eflin's contract. The Rays obtained outfielder Matthew Etzel, right-hander Jackson Baumeister and utilityman Mac Horvath from Baltimore's deep farm system.
The Rays signed Eflin to a $40 million, three-year deal before the 2023 season. He went 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA last year, setting career highs in strikeouts (186) and innings (177 2/3).
The Orioles acquired Domínguez and Pache from Philadelphia for outfielder Austin Hays.
The Rays, meanwhile, continue to behave like sellers after dealing outfielder Randy Arozarena to Seattle. Tampa Bay was 52-51 entering play Friday, four games behind a wild card position. Horvath was ranked as Baltimore's No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline and Baumeister was No. 17.
The Orioles also announced Friday they designated right-hander Vinny Nittoli for assignment.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zach Eflin works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
MOGYOROD, Hungary (AP) — Formula 1 is heading back to Malaysia for the first time in nine years as the Bahrain Grand Prix was rescheduled there for Oct. 4.
The Sepang circuit is slotted in between races in Azerbaijan and Singapore, subject to approval from the FIA's world motor sport council, F1 and the FIA said Sunday.
“Most importantly, this is fantastic news for our fans. They will continue to enjoy a full and exciting Formula 1 calendar, while also seeing the sport return to a great venue," F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.
"Malaysia is an incredible country, and Sepang holds a special place in Formula 1 history. It will provide a spectacular setting for racing and an unforgettable experience for fans at the circuit and watching around the world.”
F1 called off its races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which had been set for March and April, as the Iran war escalated.
Despite taking place in Malaysia, the race will still have Bahrain Grand Prix branding.
It's not the first time an F1 race has been named for one country and took place in another. The long-running San Marino Grand Prix was held in neighboring Italy but last used that name in 2006, while Germany twice held a race named for Luxembourg and France hosted a one-off Swiss Grand Prix.
None of the earlier examples had the kind of geographical distance separating Bahrain and Malaysia, at opposite ends of the Asian continent.
Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, said the decision to move the race was a sign of his country's “commitment to, and passion for, the sport” of F1.
He added: “Amid ongoing regional challenges, Bahrain is proud to stand as a pillar of stability for Formula 1, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure a successful and memorable race for everyone involved.”
Since its last F1 race in 2017, Malaysia has focused on hosting motorcycle racing but kept an F1 presence through state-owned oil company Petronas’ sponsorship of Mercedes.
Racing in Malaysia, rather than in Bahrain, raises further questions about future F1 races in the Middle East after military action involving the United States, Israel and Iran escalated in recent weeks.
F1 has two more scheduled races in the Gulf region, the Qatar Grand Prix in November and the season finale in Abu Dhabi in December, though it remains unclear if they can take place as scheduled unless there is a major change in the security situation.
Calling off Qatar and Abu Dhabi could mean the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Nov. 21 becomes the season finale. European tracks in Portugal and Italy have reportedly been discussed as potential replacements but could face weather challenges.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
FILE - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leads the field into turn three at the start of the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, file)
