BALTIMORE – On Wednesday night former Western Michigan baseball All-American Keegan Akin picked up his first MLB victory as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Atlanta Braves, 5-1.

In his fourth career start Akin dazzled inside Camden Yards going five innings, allowing no earned runs on three hits to pick up his first MLB victory. Akin registered a career-high nine strikeouts including six straight from the first to third innings. Akin's nine strikeouts and 19 swinging strikes Wednesday were the most for an Orioles pitcher in 2020.

"I'm a big tempo guy on the mound," said Akin. "When I get in a rhythm, I just like to stay in it and go. Just go, go, go. I didn't know I struck out six in a row….You just kind of zone in and it's a blur, really." (Baltimore Sun).

Akin has went at least five innings in three of his four career starts with the Orioles and of those four starts has recorded at least six strikeouts in three. The lefty this season has an overall record of 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in six appearances. Akin has given up just seven earned runs on 14 hits while striking out 25 batters.

Despite having just four starts under his belt, Akin's 25 strikeouts ranks fourth on the Orioles and 17th amongst rookies in the American League.

In his three years at Western Michigan, Akin posted a 17-13 record with a 3.07 ERA and ranks second in career strikeouts (270) and fourth in career innings (278.1). During the 2016 season Akin guided the Broncos to the programs first ever MAC Tournament title en route to MAC Tournament MVP honors.

During his junior campaign, Akin earned Baseball America Third Team All-American honors after going 7-4 on the mound with a staggering 1.82 ERA. Akin in 2016 set the single-season strikeout record with 133 while his 109.0 innings pitched was the second most in a season. Akin was taken in the second round (54^th overall) by the Orioles in the 2016 MLB Draft, the highest WMU draft pick since 1970.