What happened? The Orioles scored four runs in the 11th on an RBI single by Luis Vázquez, a run-scoring double by Ramón Laureano and a two-run double by Gunnar Henderson to lead them to a 10-6 win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Henderson led off the 10th with a two-run home run, scoring automatic runner Ramón Laureano, who had four hits.
The Orioles (37-47) hadn’t scored since Gary Sánchez’s three-run double in the third.
“It was definitely a swing of emotions,” Henderson said on the postgame show.
Colton Cowser added a home run against former Oriole Shawn Armstrong in the 10th to give the Orioles a 6-3 lead.
Adolis Garcia tied it, 6-6, with a three-run home run against Keegan Akin (3-0) in the bottom of the 10th.
“We felt like we put it away, and they responded immediately,” Henderson said. “I was proud of the guys. They came back in the 11th and put up some more.”
Andrew Kittredge pitched a scoreless 11th.
Sánchez had a three-run double in the third for a 3-0 Orioles lead.
Trevor Rogers started and allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings.
“Since he’s come back, he’s been unbelievable to play behind,” Henderson said.
Marcus Semien hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Orioles lead to 3-2.
In the seventh, Seranthony Domínguez, who retired the last two batters in the sixth, walked Michael Helman after retiring the first two batters. Helman stole second and scored on a wild throw from Sánchez. Jackson Holliday’s relay throw short-hopped Sánchez, who was unable to field it, and the score was tied at 3.
Bryan Baker kept the game tied in the eighth after allowing singles to Semien and Garcia and throwing a wild pitch. Baker struck out Jonah Heim and Josh Smith.
What about Orioles’ injuries? Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino has dealt with injury after injury. He forthrightly answers daily injury questions, knowing he’s delivering essential news that will be communicated to Orioles fans.
In a season full of injuries, Mansolino had to share more difficult news with reporters in Arlington, Texas.
Starting pitcher Zach Eflin went on the 15-day injured list, as expected, and was replaced on the roster by Brandon Young, which was expected.
But Young will start on Tuesday, replacing Charlie Morton, who has what Mansolino said was “very low grade” tendinitis, which was unexpected. Morton is supposed to now start in Atlanta on Friday night.
Jorge Mateo, who has been on the injured list after playing center field and colliding with rightfielder Heston Kjerstad, had to be pulled from his injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday because of hamstring soreness. Mateo suffered an elbow injury in the collision.
Cade Povich, who’s on the injured list with left hip inflammation, was also pulled from his rehab assignment with the Tides because of left hip soreness.
Backup catcher Chadwick Tromp had to leave Monday night’s game in the third inning because of a lower back strain.
“Most likely end up on the IL tomorrow,” Mansolino told reporters after the game. “He was struggling moving around out there. Pretty tough to go out for the next inning and catch. He did everything he could to stay in the game. That’s the risk you take when you DH the second catcher.”
That forced Sánchez, who’s currently the starting catcher because of Adley Rutschman’s left oblique injury, to move from designated hitter to catcher and force the Orioles to use their pitchers to bat.
“We were just hoping Gary stayed in the game, we would have been in a little bit more trouble,” Mansolino said.
Tromp was the fourth catcher used by the Orioles this season. Maverick Handley, who’s on the concussion injured list, is not yet able to play.
If Tromp has to go on the IL, the Orioles have Jacob Stallings, a 35-year-old veteran at Norfolk. Stallings, who’s played for Pittsburgh, Miami and Colorado in a 10-year big league career, was signed by the Orioles last Tuesday after he was released by the Rockies.
Rogers struck out twice and was told by Mansolino not to swing. He did swing at one pitch in his first at-bat.
“If we had runners on base, we would have had him bunt,” Mansolino said.
There was some positive injury news. Jordan Westburg, who reinjured his left index finger, could play on Tuesday or Wednesday. Tyler O’Neill, who’s on the injured list with a left shoulder injury, will move up from Double-A Chesapeake to Norfolk on Tuesday. The Orioles hope he can rejoin the team later in the road trip.
What does it mean? The injuries continue to mount and just can’t be explained.
What’s the stat of the day? Rogers was the first Orioles pitcher to bat since Akin on September 22nd, 2021.
What’s the word? “I told him if he swung the bat, I was going to fine Gunnar Henderson 10 grand.”-Mansolino on Rogers batting
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Chesapeake outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. and right-handed reliever Keagan Gillies were named to the American League Futures team. The Futures game will be on July 12th at Atlanta’s Truist Park.
What’s next? Brandon Young (0-1, 7.11) will face Jacob deGrom (8-2, 2.08), who nearly no-hit the Orioles last week, on Tuesday night at 8:05.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com