Coming into Thursday afternoon’s game with the San Francisco Giants the Baltimore Orioles were in the midst of a three-game losing streak as well as in danger of being swept in the series. All was avoided with a two-run homerun in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The Orioles led 3-2 after eight innings but Seranthony Dominguez (0.1 IP, R, H,2 BB) lacked control and surrendered a run to the Giants, tying the score at 3-3. Gregory Soto (0.2 IP) threw one pitch, inducing Mark Canha into a double play: inning over.
In the home half of the ninth, Gunnar Henderson (2 for 5, R, SB) singled with one out. Following a strikeout by Cedric Mullins (1 for 5, SB), Anthony Santander (1 for 3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB) deposited an 84.4 mph slider 390 ft to right-center for the walk-off win, making Soto (3-5) the pitcher of record.
Zach Eflin gave the Orioles another quality start, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits (HR) with a walk and 5 strikeouts over 6.0 innings.
Jackson Holliday went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI and a walk. Holliday, along with Mullins, made Top-10 worthy defensive plays, Holliday in the 5th inning and Mullins in the 8th. There was a scare in the 9th when Austin Slater (0 for 0) landed on Mullins when both were tracking a fly ball by San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt. Mullins stayed in the game after being examined.
Adley Rutschman went 1 for 4 with a double, 1 run scored and 1 RBI.
Ryan O’Hearn went 2 for 4 while Emmanuel Rivera went 1 for 4.
As a result of the win, the Orioles magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 5 (combination of O’s wins and Detroit Tigers losses.
2024 Record: 85-68
Next Game: Fri. 9/20 vs. Detroit Tigers @ 7:05 pm