With each outing, the small sample size encapsulating John Means’ hot start to the Orioles’ 2019 season becomes larger, and with it the possibility that it is not only sustainable, but perhaps a baseline of growth to come.
Means continued his upstart beginning to his rookie campaign with seven innings of one-run ball in Monday night’s 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. Once viewed as a borderline member of the roster, Means has been the club’s best starting pitcher and has continually performed as one worthy of that title.
After the Orioles received only one start of at least seven innings through 33 games, Means supplied their second straight, going beyond five frames for the first time in his major league career while holding the reigning World Series champions to one hit over the final 16 batters he faced.