Baltimore’s Ryan Mountcastle delivered two crucial two-run singles, while Cedric Mullins made an outstanding catch in center field, leading the Baltimore Orioles to an 8-6 victory on Sunday, effectively ending the San Diego Padres’ impressive seven-game winning streak.
The Orioles seized control of the game with an incredible six-run third inning. The first six batters all reached base, resulting in the removal of Padres pitcher Randy Vsquez after walking in a run, allowing an RBI single to Ryan OHearn, and conceding a single to Mountcastle, extending Baltimore’s lead to 4-0.
Later in the third, Mullins hit a two-run double, further widening the gap for the Orioles. However, the team nearly squandered their six-run lead as the Padres mounted a comeback, scoring three runs in the fifth inning and Xander Bogaerts hitting a two-run homer in the following inning.
In the eighth inning, Mullins displayed exceptional defensive skills by making a running catch on Manny Machado’s hit before crashing into the wall. Mountcastle then secured the win for the Orioles by driving in two runs with a crucial two-out hit, giving them a much-needed cushion.
Baltimore, currently leading the American League East, had experienced a rough patch with five losses in their last six games. However, the atmosphere was different on this Sunday game as the team celebrated the life and legacy of Mo Gaba, a beloved 14-year-old fan who tragically passed away four years ago after battling cancer.
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson made an exceptional play in the second inning, diving to stop a grounder on the other side of second base. He then skillfully threw to first while on the ground, retiring David Peralta.
While Henderson made an impressive defensive play, he also committed two errors, bringing his total to five in the past four games. Starting pitcher Albert Surez, whose future in the rotation is uncertain following the acquisition of Zach Eflin from Tampa Bay, was removed from the game with only one out left to qualify for a win. Jacob Webb, Cionel Prez, Seranthony Domnguez, and Yennier Cano provided solid relief pitching for the Orioles.
With a three-run lead in the ninth inning, struggling closer Craig Kimbrel was replaced by Cano. The decision paid off as the first two batters Cana faced reached base on infield hits. Henderson almost made another incredible play on a grounder by Peralta, similar to the one in the second inning, but his throw bounced, resulting in an error and allowing the batter to reach second base. Henderson then failed to field Ha-Seong Kim’s ground ball.
Kyle Higashioka lined out, but Luis Arraez blooped a single to center, loading the bases for the Padres. Jurickson Profar hit a slow roller up the middle. Henderson fielded it, stepped on second for a force out, but was tripped up by pinch-runner Tyler Wade while attempting a double play. Interference was initially called, and that potential double play would have ended the game. However, after a replay review, the call was changed to a force play, allowing a run to score.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, who had already disputed a foul-ball call earlier in the inning, was ejected after the replay overturn.
Finally, with men on first and third, Jake Cronenworth grounded out, ending the game. Cano secured his fourth save of the season.
Vsquez and Enyel De Los Santos combined to throw 50 pitches in the third inning alone. James McCann led off with a walk, followed by a single from Colton Cowser, and walks by Anthony Santander and Henderson.
Catcher Adley Rutschman, who has been struggling recently, was not in the Orioles’ starting lineup. However, McCann had a single, drew two walks, and threw out a would-be base stealer.
In the fifth inning, Padres’ Kim hit an RBI double, and Higashioka followed with a run-scoring single. Another run was scored when Arraez grounded into a double play.
The Orioles will host a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.