BALTIMORE—On a Tuesday when the Orioles made four trades and promoted top prospect Jackson Holliday, they also took care of business on the field, recording a 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays before 21,710 at Camden Yards.
Starter Corbin Burnes allowed just two runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings. Burnes (11-4) was dominant throughout, reaching 99-mph with his fastball, although he did hit two batters — the first two this season.
The Orioles (64-44) scored five runs against Toronto (50-58) starter Chris Bassitt (8-10) in four innings to stay ahead of the New York Yankees in the American League East.
Anthony Santander hit his 31st home run and drove in another run with a first-inning double. Ryan O’Hearn had a two-run single in the third, and Ramón Urías hit his fifth home run, an opposite-field shot.
Holliday will be returning to the Orioles and could be in the lineup for Wednesday’s afternoon game against the Blue Jays. The new was first reported by The Baltimore Banner and confirmed by industry sources.
That news capped a busy day with the Orioles making four trades before the 6 p.m. trade deadline.
They had already made two significant trades on Friday, adding starting pitcher Zach Eflin from Tampa Bay and reliever Seranthony Dominguez and outfielder Cristian Pache while subtracting only outfielder Austin Hays and three prospects from the major league roster.
They acquired left-handed starter Trevor Rogers from Miami, left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from Philadelphia and outfielders Eloy Jiménez from the Chicago White Sox and Austin Slater from Cincinnati. They also received minor league infielder Liván Soto.
The cost was second baseman Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers to the Marlins, minor league starter Seth Johnson to the Phillies and minor league reliever. Trey McGough to the White Sox. Slater was picked up for cash considerations.
Though catcher James McCann was cleared to play after he was hit in the face with a pitch on Monday, the Orioles promoted catcher Blake Hunt from Triple-A Norfolk as insurance. To replace Norby on the roster, utility player Terrin Vavra was added.
Left-handed pitchers Cole Irvin and Matt Krook were designated for assignment. Jorge Mateo was transferred to the 60-day injured list with left elbow subluxation (dislocated elbow). Liván Soto will be optioned to Norfolk.