Craig Albernaz on Anthony Nunez’s 8th Inning and Offensive Struggles

The Baltimore Orioles suffered a 3-2 walk-off loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 4, 2026, falling two games below a .500 winning percentage. The defeat occurred at PNC Park before a crowd of 27,949 people.

Manager Craig Albernaz discussed the game’s outcome following the loss, specifically addressing the struggles of pitcher Anthony Nunez in the eighth inning and the team’s inability to generate offensive momentum.

Eighth Inning Collapse

The Orioles held a one-run lead entering the eighth inning. Albernaz entrusted the game to Anthony Nunez, described as inexperienced, after utilizing Rico Garcia and Grant Wolfram to cover previous innings. Yennier Cano had warmed up in the fifth but did not enter the game.

Nunez allowed a leadoff infield single and issued a walk with two outs. The tying run scored when pinch-hitter Jake Mangum hit a ball to the right side of the mound; Nunez attempted to field the ball, but it deflected off his glove.

The struggle of Nunez follows a period of uncertainty regarding his roster status. One week prior to the game, Nunez had been in minor league camp under the assumption that he would begin the season in Triple-A.

The Walk-Off Sequence

Closer Ryan Helsley entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied. Bryan Reynolds initiated the Pirates’ rally with a double that reached the left field fence, clocked at 100 mph against a 101 mph fastball from Helsley.

Following the double, Ryan O’Hearn was intentionally walked. Nick Yorke then delivered his first career walk-off RBI with a double over the head of left fielder Dylan Beavers. The hit, a slider, left Yorke’s bat at 105.4 mph.

Beavers expressed frustration over the plays, noting that he had to play more shallow against Yorke because there were two runners on base.

Helsley attempted to appeal the seventh pitch of the at-bat, a 99.1 mph fastball that he believed should have been the third strike, but the ball caught the bottom of the zone.

Managerial Perspective

Albernaz emphasized his trust in his relief corps prior to the game, stating that he felt comfortable with all of his pitchers regardless of the high-leverage circumstances they might face.

In postgame comments, Albernaz highlighted the solid defense displayed by the team but noted the ongoing difficulty in getting the offense to produce the necessary runs to support the pitching staff.