Baltimore entered today’s matchup with the Athletics looking for a three-game sweep, but it felt like the team would be forced to settle for a series win after Chris Bassitt allowed five runs in the first three frames.
The Orioles lose this game in April. They probably lose it in May, June and July too. But today, on the second to last day of August, the team took another step forward. Coby Mayo and Gunnar Henderson both hit three-run homers, and the Orioles scored the final seven runs in an 8-5 win.
The Orioles briefly led 1-0 after Henderson’s first blast of the day. Bassitt took the mound with a one-run advantage, but he quickly relinquished the lead. The veteran allowed a leadoff single by Henry Bolte before issuing a one-out walk to Zack Gelof. Bassitt worked a cutter inside to cleanup hitter Lawrence Butler, and Butler yanked the ball to the right-field corner. Bassitt retired the next two to leave Butler in scoring position, but Baltimore trailed 2-1 after one.
Bassitt allowed a one-out single in the second, but his defense let him down with two outs. Henderson failed to field an awkward bounce, and Leody Taveras couldn’t make a diving catch in right field. Bolte received credit for an infield single, and Jeff McNeil was credited with an RBI-double, but both fielders had an opportunity to end the inning before the third run scored.
The Athletics struck again with two outs after a double in the third. Bassitt left a 3-1 cutter up in the zone, and Brian Serven ripped a two-run blast to right center. The long ball provided the A’s a 5-1 advantage, and delivered a “same old Orioles” type of gut punch.
Baltimore entered today’s game with a series win already in hand. Jackson Holliday, Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers all began the game on the bench. The bullpen had been taxed after a pair of close victories. Once the team fell behind by four, you could already here the postgame spin about playing good baseball and still winning the series.
But the Orioles need every win they can get after a disappointing first half. Today’s comeback win brought the Orioles within one game of .500 for the first time since April. It also provided hope that this team has taken another step forward.
The rally began in the top of the fourth. Pete Alonso got things started with a single up the middle, and Henderson followed with a base hit. Baltimore’s top two home run hitters set the table for a guy that’s been even more dangerous with a left-hander on the mound. Coby Mayo continued his absolute decimation of southpaws with a long ball to left center. The Earl Weaver special got the Orioles off the mat and trimmed the A’s lead to one.
Bassitt followed with his first scoreless inning, and Baltimore kept its foot on the gas in the fifth. Blaze Alexander snuck on with an infield single, and Alonso followed with a two-out walk. Henderson stepped in with the tying run in scoring position, but the 25-year-old wanted more. Henderson unleashed an absolute moon shot to right field. The blast traveled 413 feet and gave Baltimore a 7-5 lead.
The big swings provided the struggling shortstop a sense of joy and relief. Henderson’s struggles have been well documented this season, but he picked the team up today. He finished the day 4-for-4 with three runs scored and five RBIs.
Bassitt responded with another shutdown inning in the fifth, and he came within one out of completing six frames. The 37-year-old exited after allowing a two-out single to Alika Williams, but he deserves a ton of credit for settling in and allowing the team to storm back with a depleted bullpen.
Craig Albernaz summoned Anthony Nunez to retire Bolte, and Nunez returned to retire the side in order in the seventh.
The Orioles tacked on an insurance run after a scary situation in the eighth. A’s reliever Kade Morris got ahead 1-2 before striking Alonso in the head with a 95-MPH fastball. Alonso went down as the pitch struck the front of his helmet, but he popped up quickly as a concerned Albernaz hustled out to the batter’s box. Alonso appeared to ease the initial concerns of Albernaz and Baltimore’s trainer, but the team still sent out Holliday to run for the designated hitter in the eighth. Alonso swapped his helmet for his baseball cap and remained in the dugout to watch the remainder of the inning.
Henderson stepped in and delivered his fourth hit of the game. The shortstop ripped a hard hit ball that skipped all the way to the wall. Henderson received credit for a triple, and Holliday raced home with ease. The Orioles failed to plate Henderson over the remainder of the inning but still left the frame with an 8-5 lead.
Josh Walker worked around a two-out single in the eighth, and Yennier Cano recorded his third save of the season with a clean ninth.
The Alonso incident mixed concern with all the positive vibes, but Henderson told MASN’s Rob Long that Alonso said he “felt great.” The first baseman was all smiles on the field after the game, and Albernaz said that Alonso would be fine.
The win brought the Orioles to 68-69. They remain one game back of Cleveland for the final postseason spot in the American League.
Gunnar Henderson finished the day 4-for-4 with a triple and two homers. Is he your pick for Most Birdland player of the day? Let us know in the comments below.
