The Baltimore Orioles returned to Camden Yards on Thursday to face the very same team that they shutout twice last weekend. The result was a bit different, however, as the Houston Astros (70-58) scored early and aften on their way to a 7-2 victory over the Orioles.
Starter Brandon Young (1-7), who nearly authored a perfect game against these same Astros last Friday, was not as sharp this time out, finding himself on the short end of a 7-1 game after just three innings. Young did give the team a 5.1 inning effort where he surrendered 7 runs on 9 hits, including 2 homeruns, while walking 2 and striking out just 1. Ultimately, he was tagged with the three-game winning streak loss.
Making matters worse, Young left the game with some sort of left hamstring injury. The injury occurred when Young ran to first base to record the out on Jacob Melton‘s groundball to Coby Mayo.
Interim Manager Tony Mansolino summed up Young’s night this way, “A little different command than he had last time. He commanded his fastball a lot better last time out.”
Walker, Houston Astro
Former Orioles draft pick (2012, Rd. 4) and farmhand Christian Walker greeted Young with a two-run homerun to left field in the first inning. He also hit a lead-off double in the third inning, scoring on a Jesus Sanchez single, one of Sanchez’s five hits on the night.
Leave it to Beavers
Rookie prospect Dylan Beavers hit his first MLB homerun in the second inning, a 390 ft. shot to the flag court in right field. Beavers, who went 1 for 3 on the night, also knocked in Baltimore’s second run in the sixth inning with his forceout to second with the bases loaded; Colton Cowser scored on the play.
A fan in the flag court did make a nice catch on Beaver’s homerun and that fan was shown on the broadcast being escorted away from the flag court by an Orioles employee. I am certain that the ball found its way to Beavers although he wasn’t sure. After the game Beavers said, “They gave me a ball but I don’t know if it’s the ball. I don’t know so, yeah, we’ll see. It doesn’t have an authentication sticker on it so I’m not sure if it is or not. I’ll find out though.”
Of his first homerun, Beavers had this to say, “It was pretty awesome. I don’t know. I kind of blacked out. I was just running, but when I got back in the dugout, it was one of the cooler things I’ve ever experienced. Best home run I’ve ever hit, for sure.”
Every Orioles starter recorded a hit in the contest, but sadly, with the exception of Beavers’ homerun, all were singles. The Birds went 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position as well.
Baltimore’s bullpen represented themselves well in relief of Young. Yaramil Hiraldo especially, looked very different from when he last pitched. The right-hander struck out 1 as he closed out the sixth inning. Grant Wolfram pitched the seventh and eighth innings, allowing a pair of hits and a walk. Corbin Martin allowed a hit in the ninth.
2025 Record: 59-68
Next Game: Fri. 8/22 @ 7:05 pm vs. Houston Astros