Oftentimes, one play can make or break a game and on Monday one play did just that. The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 and one play in the ninth inning helped make the game. The Orioles took the field the bottom of the ninth with a two-run lead. Toronto had runners on first and second with one out when Whit Merrifield, who previously hit a solo homerun off Yennier Cano (0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB) in the eighth, lined a ball 296 ft. to left-center that Austin Hays (0 for 4) made a spectacular diving catch of. The play had a 13% catch probability and saved at least one run, maybe two. A dropped third-strike strikeout ended the game one batter later.

Once again, Kyle Gibson (10-6) gave the Orioles the opportunity to win by allowing 1 run on 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 5 over 6.0 innings; he was relieved after walking Matt Chapman to open the seventh inning. Felix Bautista (1.2 IP, 2 BB, 3 K) recorded his 29th save and threw 35 pitches (22 strikes) in doing so; his availability for the remainder of the series should be closely monitored.

Gunnar Henderson (1 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB) led off the third inning by hitting his 17th homerun of the season into the Baltimore bullpen in right center field.

Ryan Mountcastle went 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI.

Anthony Santander went 1 for 3 with a double, 1 run scored and a walk.

Ryan O’Hearn went 2 for 4 with 1 run scored.

BOX SCORE

2023 Record: 65-41

Next Game: Tues. 8/1 @ 7:07 pm vs. Blue Jays in Toronto

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