The Baltimore Orioles began the final series of the 2026 season at Camden Yards Monday with a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays (77-80). The beginning of the game did not bode well for Baltimore’s chances of a victory as Toronto scored three runs in the first inning before an out was recorded.
With Shane Baz on the mound, the Blue Jays went walk, walk, RBI-single, RBI-single and RBI-sacrifice fly to score those three runs. Baz got out of the inning and then settled down to keep the Blue Jays off the scoreboard over the next 5.2 innings before being relieved by Yennier Cano (4-3) with one on and two out in the seventh inning. He retired the Blue Jays in order in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. In the end, Baz gave the Orioles their third consecutive quality start by allowing 3 runs on 5 hits with 3 walks, 2 strikeouts and a pitch clock violation (1st inning) over 6.2 innings. Unfortunately, all Baz got was a no-decision for his efforts.
All four of Baltimore’s runs came via the longball. Pete Alonso (2 for 4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI) hit his 39th homerun of the season, a 363 ft. solo shot to right field in the first inning, as well as his 40th, a 400 ft. two-run shot to left field in the eighth. Christian Franklin (0 for 0, R, BB), who walked to lead off the eighth, scored on Alonso’s homerun.
Gunnar Henderson (3 for 4, HR, R, RBI), who was stranded at third base following his one-out triple in the fourth inning, hit his 24th homerun of the season in the sixth inning. The solo shot travelled 372 ft. to right field and landed in about the same spot that Alonso’s did. Henderson finished his night a double short of the cycle.
The only other Oriole to record a hit was Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1 for 3), who singled to start the seventh inning.
The win went to Cano and Rico Garcia (1.0 IP) earned his 10th save of the season by striking out a pair of Blue Jays’ batters in the ninth.
Monday’s win gave the Orioles a one-day reprieve from wild card elimination; their tragic number remains at 2.
2026 Record: 76-81
Next Game: Tues. 9/22 @ 6:35 pm vs. Toronto Blue Jays
