The Baltimore Orioles saw their three-game winning streak end on Saturday when they fell to the San Diego Padres (36-33) by a score of 9-3. That marked the fourth time this season that a four game winning streak eluded the team. This inability to win more than three games in a row only exasperates an already roller coaster season.
Trey Gibson (1-2) started for Baltimore and struggled immediately, surrendering a pair of two-run homeruns in the first inning. While he held the Padres scoreless over the next three innings, Gibson managed to retire the side in order in the third inning only. The fifth inning was the end od Gibson’s day. An inning-opening walk to Severna Park, MD native Jackson Merrill was followed by a forceout at first. Gibson then hit Xander Bogaerts in the head with a 93.5 MPH slider, ending the outing.
Keegan Akin was called upon to relieve Gibson with two on and one out. A walk, a single and a sacrifice fly allowed the inherited runners to score, making Gibson’s losing final line, 6 runs allowed on 3 hits, 2 of which were homeruns, 5 walks, 7 strike outs and a hit batter in 4.1 innings of work.
Albert Suarez pitched the final 4.0 innings and gave up three runs on three solo homeruns. Baltimore native Gavin Sheets went yard in the sixth inning, Rodolfo Duran did the same in the eighth and former Oriole, Manny Machado, led off the ninth with his 12th homerun of the season. Camden Yards proved to be cozy for players with past ties to Maryland.
The game wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Birds, however. In what looked like it would be a back and forth game, the Orioles answered San Diego’s 4 runs with 2 of their own in the bottom of the first. Pete Alonso (3 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI) hit his 16th homerun to right center field and Leody Taveras (1 for 4) hit a RBI-triple to allow Samuel Basallo, who had walked, to score.
A two-out walk to Gunnar Henderson in the seventh inning turned into the Orioles’ third run when Alonso doubled him home.
Blaze Alexander went 3 for 4 in the contest, meaning that 7 of Baltimore’s hit were produced by three players.
A drama-filled ninth inning just added more intrigue to the series. Already having been buzzed high and inside twice in the seventh, Henderson was hit in the ribs with two outs in the ninth on what at first blush appeared to be retaliation for Bogaerts being hit in the fifth.
Following a quick conference by the umpiring crew, RHP Ron Marinaccio was ejected as was manager Craig Stammen for arguing the decision.
Producing a four-game winning streak is significant right now because beginning such streak on Sunday would see the Orioles reach the .500 mark.
2026 Record: 34-38
Next Game: Sun. 6/14 @ 1:35 pm vs. San Diego Padres
