BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 08: Trey Mancini #16 of the Baltimore Orioles waves to the crowd before batting in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during the Orioles home opener at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 08, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Prior to Monday’s game against the Texas Rangers, the Baltimore Orioles announced that they had traded Trey Mancini to the Houston Astros in a three-team deal that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays. Mancini left the field during batting practice and was later seen making the rounds with hugs and goodbyes. Certainly a bittersweet moment for both Mancini and all of Birdland.

A game still needed to be played, trade deadline be damned. Despite the team’s feelings about the trade, they performed, beating the Rangers 7-2. The Orioles built a 6-0 lead by the fourth inning, the Rangers scored one in the sixth that the Orioles matched in the seventh. The Rangers scored one in the eighth but could score no more and dropped their 56th game of the season.

Leadoff hitter Cedric Mullins (2 for 4, 3 Runs scored, 2 RBI, 1 BB) lead off the game with his 9th homerun of the year.

Adley Rutschman went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, 1 run scored, 1 RBI and a walk.

Ryan Mountcastle went 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI.

The starter and winning pitcher was Spenser Watkins (4-1) who allowed 1 run (a Corey Seager homerun), 5 hits and struck out 5 over 6.0 innings.

Keegan Akin (3.0 IP, 2 H 1 R, 3 K, 1 HR allowed) earned his second save of the year.

BOX SCORE

2022 Record: 52-51

Next Game: 8/2 @ Texas @ 7:05 pm