The 26-year-old center fielder had just enough room to seal a 2-1 win for Baltimore on Monday night.
Colton Cowser had just enough room to spare during the Baltimore Orioles’ Monday opener against the Colorado Rockies, nabbing a deep fly ball from Jake McCarthy to secure a 2-1 victory with two outs and one runner on.
Troy Johnston attempted to ignite a final rally for Colorado during the ninth, doubling off Andrew Kittredge who held on to record his ninth save of the season.
Following the game, Cowser shared his mindset going into making the play that dashed the Rockies’ hopes at a potential walk-off home run.
"I was playing a little more shallow than I probably should have been in that situation. Just trying to cut down that runner [on second base] at home [if needed]," he said, according to MLB.com. "They have such a big outfield where your normal depth is way deeper than what it should be, so it was more than normal depth. And kind of before the play -- just kind of the whole inning -- it was like, 'If there's a ball hit kind of deep, just get your head down and go.'"
The 26-year-old center fielder has batted .221 while recording a .690 OPS and a .313 on-base percentage. Moreover, Cowser has also knocked in 37 RBI and launched 13 home runs this season.
Baltimore tried to jump ahead in the second when Mayo reached on an infield single, but it didn’t amount to anything after Colorado starter Tanner Gordon retired three-straight hitters to end the inning.
Orioles left-hander Cade Povich battled as well, striking out four batters despite allowing five hits and three walks through five innings of work. Still, Grant Wolfram was credited with the win when he recorded two punchouts and only surrendered a single hit.
The Rockies struck first in the fourth when Jordan Beck brought home Hunter Goodman with a one-run single. Nonetheless, Samuel Basallo answered back the next inning with a game-tying RBI double that scored Dylan Beavers.
Baltimore gained the upper hand over relievers Mark Manfredi and Nick Frasso in the seventh, loading the bases on a string of walks while Cowser reached on an RBI fielder's choice, allowing Coby Mayo to come in for the lead.
Colorado generated a pair of baserunners during the eighth in Connor Norby and T.J. Rumfield, but Rico Garcia put out the fire when he got Willi Castro down swinging and forced a flyout from Mickey Moniak.
Cowser’s superb read and well-timed jump proved to be the difference maker in the matchup as the Orioles returned to .500 for the first time since April 30 when they defeated the Houston Astros 10-3.
With Baltimore only a half-game back of the final AL Wild Card spot, continuing to execute in all facets will be a must as the team has a tough stretch coming up against the division rival Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Guardians.
Cowser will be primed for another opportunity to shine tonight at 8:40 p.m. EDT against Gabriel Hughes who has posted a 6.61 ERA and 1.45 WHIP on the season.
