Henderson took accountability for his offensive struggles and defensive miscues on Saturday.
In each of their last three games, the Baltimore Orioles have not only lost each one, but have totaled just one run in each loss.
The Orioles have not mustered much offensively recently, dropping their series finale against the Los Angeles Angels and losing the first two games of a three-game set against the Texas Rangers. While a loss is always considered to be a team effort, one player stands out in an interesting position with Baltimore.
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who has led off in the team’s last two games, took fault for the lack of an offensive effort the Orioles have had, as they hope to shake things up in the final game of the series this afternoon.
"It's been tough. It's been pissing me off a lot,” Henderson said, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. “Feel really good in the box. Seems like I just miss pitches, and it's super frustrating, man."
Statistically, Henderson has seen some of his numbers drop this season from past ones. But some things have not wavered, such as his hard-hit rate being in a solid percentile. Even still, the results feel like they have lacked for Henderson.
In the three-game stretch alone, Henderson has not recorded a hit. Though he has found a way to get on base in drawing four walks in that span, he has not felt enough relief in setting his teammates up for success.
After Saturday’s loss, Henderson noted that it is important to get runners on base earlier in the game. He feels like he has not done his part in setting the Orioles up for success in that realm, opting to take accountability for the matter.
“That's probably a lot on me, being able to get on so we can actually run and it not be two outs,” Henderson said. “I've got to do a better job of that, I know, to give us as many opportunities as we can."
The pressure definitely feels to be on for the Orioles. After a troubling trade deadline in which they opted to sell, which included a controversial ending to Adley Rutschman’s tenure in Baltimore, it is up to the Orioles to remain afloat in the postseason race with what they have.
It may have made sense to move on from Rutschman, as well as Taylor Ward and Dean Kremer. But the principle of not adding to a team in the midst of the AL Wild Card race may add to further desire of being great to help this team.
This season has not been the strongest to Henderson’s typical standard. The 25-year-old short is hitting .215 this year, which would be his lowest tally by a heavy margin. He has gotten on base less, slugging less, and even had some miscues defensively in Saturday’s contest that had him displeased.
"Yeah, it sucks," Henderson said. "Baseball sucks sometimes, man."
