Cuban pitchers Yennier Cano and Cionel Pérez have solidified themselves as key players in the Baltimore Orioles’ bullpen. On Wednesday, the duo played a crucial role in preserving the Orioles’ 4-1 victory over the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Cano was the first to take the mound for the Orioles in the seventh inning, with the team holding a slim 2-1 lead. The right-hander handled the Nationals’ lineup, retiring Alex Call with a lineout and getting Ildemaro Vargas and Jacob Young to ground out. Cano threw 10 pitches, with his sinker reaching a maximum speed of 96.7 mph.
After Cano, Pérez took over in the eighth inning, with the Orioles extending their lead to 4-1. The left-hander kept the momentum going, retiring all three batters he faced, including a strikeout of James Wood to end the inning. This marked Pérez’s 17th hold of the season.
With this performance, Pérez now ranks second on the team in holds, trailing only Cano, who recorded his 27th hold of the year. In addition, Pérez’s 17 holds place him second in the American League and fifth in all of MLB.
Cano and Pérez have become a reliable duo for the Orioles, consistently stepping up in crucial moments to secure victories for the team. Their performances continue to be a key factor in the Orioles’ success this season.