The Baltimore Orioles opened the “second half” of the 2026 season in Daikin Park on Friday evening and extended their current winning streak to five games with a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros (47-52).
Trailing 2-1 entering the eighth inning, the Orioles scored a pair of runs to take the lead. Adley Rutschman (1 for 2, BB) led off with a ground rule double and scored on a Taylor Ward (1 for 3, BB) homerun to left center field, his seventh of the season.
The Orioles’ first run came in the form of a gift from the Astros in the third inning. Following a lead off single by Coby Mayo (1 for 4), Houston starter Peter Lambert walked the bases loaded. Pete Alonso (0 for 3, BB) then walked to score Mayo; Houston unsuccessfully challenged the ball four call.
Dean Kremer took the mound to start and lasted just 4.0 innings. He allowed a RBI double to Yordan Alvarez in the first inning and a RBI sacrifice fly to Isaac Paredes in the third. Kremer left the game after throwing 83 pitches (51 K’s) with a line of 2 runs allowed on 4 hits with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts.
Anthony Nunez pitched 2.0 scoreless innings before Grant Wolfram loaded the bases on a pair of one out walks. Acquired from Pittsburgh, Cam Sanders (1-0) made his Baltimore debut and escaped the jam with a strike out and a foul pop up Sanders was credited with the win.
Andrew Kittredge pitched the eighth and Tyler Wells earned the save, his third, by striking out former Orioles’ prospect Christian Walker with runners on first and second with two outs.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Orioles’ performance will dictate what direction the front office goes.
2026 Record: 47-51
Next Game: Sat. 7/18 @ 4:10 pm @ Houston Astros
