Sunday’s game in West Sacramento, CA was an eventful one. The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Athletics (53-84) 8-5 after trailing 5-1 after three innings. The win completed a three-game sweep of the Athletics, it featured seven of the eight runs having scored on three homeruns and it moved the Orioles to one game below .500.
There was a concerning moment as well. In the eighth inning Pete Alonso was hit in the head area by a pitch from the A’s Kade Morris; the ball appeared to hit the brim of his batting helmet or just below it. Jackson Holliday was called upon th pinch-run for Alonso, who left with a line of 1 for 2, 2 R, BB, HBP.
Two of the three homeruns were “Earl Weaver Specials”, ie. three-run homeruns.
Chris Bassitt (6-4) made the start and got the win. While it wasn’t a quality start, it was good enough to to keep the Orioles in the game. Bassitt allowed 5 runs on 8 hits, including a two-run homerun to Brian Serven in the third inning, while walking 3 and striking out 4 over 5.2 innings. He left the game with a 6-5 lead after throwing 99 pitches (65 K’s).
Lawrence Butler touched Bassitt for a two-RBI double in the first inning and Jeff McNeil touched him for a RBI-double in the second.
The Baltimore bullpen held the A’s scoreless over the final 3.1 innings of the game, combining to allow just one hit while striking out three. Yennier Cano earned his third save of the season by hurling a clean ninth inning.
Gunnar Henderson opened the scoring for the Orioles with a solo homerun to center field in the first inning. He didn’t stop there, however. Henderson hit a three-run homerun to right field in the fifth inning and added a RBI-triple in the eighth for good measure. He finished that game having gone 4 for 4 with a triple, 2 homeruns, his 21st and 22nd of the season, 3 runs scored and 5 RBI as well as turning a double play in the fifth inning.
Hitting the other “Earl Weaver Special” was Coby Mayo (1 for 4, R, 3 RBI) who hit his to left center field in the fourth inning.
Rounding out the offense was Blaze Alexander (1 for 4, R).
Now that a .500 record is in sight, will the Orioles reach that marker?
2026 Record: 68-69
Next Game: Mon. 8/31 @ 8:40 pm @ Colorado Rockies
