It took a six-run sixth inning to secure the win for the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday afternoon in Kauffman Stadium for the Birds to secure an 8-6 win over the Kansas City Royals (8-17).
For the second consecutive day, Coby Mayo hit a three-run homerun and on this day it would provide the winning difference. The homerun occurred in the sixth inning and was his only hit of the game, travelling 452 ft. to left-center and surpassing Tuesday’s 439 ft. homer.
Baltimore’s scoring in the sixth began with a Pete Alonso one-out walk followed by a Samuel Basallo single. Alonso scored on a Leody Taveras RBI-single to tie the game at 3. Jeremiah Jackson singled Basallo and Taveras home to make it 5-3. A Colton Cowser single then set the stage for Mayo’s homerun which gave Baltimore an 8-3 lead and the cushion needed for the win in the end.
Kansas City immediately responded in their half of the sixth with a Carter Jensen solo homerun off starter Chris Bassitt (1-2). A double and a groundout later marked the end of Bassitt’s day. He would allow 5 runs on 8 hits, including a Vinnie Pasquantino homerun in the first inning, walked 2 and struck out 3 in 5.1 innings of work and was credited with the win. Bassitt also allowed 4 hits resulting in a pair of Kansas City runs in the fourth inning.
Mayo’s runs mattered because Yennier Cano pitching in relief of Bassitt surrendered a two-out, two-run homerun to Kansas City’s Kyle Isbel.
Tyler Wells allowed a hit in 1.2 innings of relief and Anthony Nunez struck out 2 in the ninth to secure his first save of the season.
Giving hope that he is starting to heat up, Alonso hit a two-run homerun in the first inning.
Dylan Beavers, Cowser and Taveras each had a pair of hits in the game with Beavers and Cowser both hitting a double. Taveras is currently slashing .327/ .426/ .500 over 21 games and is third in RBI (14) for the team.
2026 Record: 12-13
Next Game: Fri. 4/24 @ 7:05 pm vs. Boston Red Sox
