What happened? The Orioles left Yankee Stadium after scoring 17 runs and winning two of three from the Yankees. A confident team headed to Houston.
In the fifth inning of Friday night’s game at Minute Maid Park, the Orioles took a 3-2 lead over the Astros while New York was losing 8-1 to Atlanta.
If the Orioles had held on, they would have moved into first place in the American League East for the first time since May 12th.
But Houston scored three runs in the fifth and nine in the sixth on its way to a bizarre 14-11 win over the Orioles.
Oriole starter Grayson Rodriguez (8-3) allowed seven runs on nine hits in five-plus innings, walking two and striking out eight.
Gunnar Henderson hit two home runs and Adley Rutschman had the second five-hit game of his career as the Orioles scored eight late runs to reduce an 11-run deficit to a three-run game.
The Orioles (49-26) remain a half-game behind the Yankees.
How did it get away? Leading 3-2, Rodriguez allowed a three-run home run to Houston’s Jake Meyers in the fifth. In the sixth, Rodriguez walked Mauricio Dubón. Joey Loperfido’s drive deflected off first baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s glove and went to right field for a double, and Anthony Santander’s throw was wild, allowing Dubón to score.
Jacob Webb faced four batters, walking two and allowing two hits. All four runners scored.
The strangest play was a grounder to Henderson at short. He made a great stop on Yainer Diaz’s ground ball, but then bobbled it and couldn’t tag Alex Bregman, who made it to third while Jose Altuve scored.
How did the Orioles almost come back? Trailing 14-3, the Orioles scored eight unanswered runs. Henderson homered in the seventh and again in the eighth as the Orioles scored seven runs.
Jorge Mateo, Henderson and Santander each hit two-run home runs.
Bryan Abreu, working for the third straight day, pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the win for the Astros (36-40)
What’s with the starters? Rodriguez recorded 15 outs after Oriole starters failed to complete five innings in any of the three games against the Yankees.
Rodriguez told reporters in Houston he was most disappointed by the curveball he threw in a poor location to Meyers for the three-run home run.
He pitched in Houston for the first time and many family and friends were able to attend. Rodriguez made a surprise major league debut last April in Arlington, Texas.
The inability of Albert Suárez (3 2/3 innings) Cade Povich and Cole Irvin (both 4 2/3 innings) to go longer meant that relievers got plenty of work during the Yankees’ series.
Hyde said after the game that he thought that he had sufficient arms in the bullpen for Saturday’s game.
What else was unusual? The Astros started Jake Bross, a third-round draft choice from Georgetown in July 2023, who bypassed Triple-A to make his major league debut.
Bross was removed in the fourth inning with right shoulder discomfort.
Home plate umpire Scott Barry also left the game in the bottom of the fourth after he was hit by a pitch.
What does it mean? Hyde cited his team’s offense and the near comeback after being down by 11. He mentioned that Jordan Westburg lined out to left to end the eighth, wondering what might have happened if the ball hadn’t been caught. He also pointed out how effective Webb has been, and that games like Friday’s are going to happen.
What’s the stat of the day? 18. The Orioles had 18 hits, outhitting the Astros a day after they had a season-high 19 hits. Henderson and Rutschman reached base in 9 of 11 at-bats.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Julio Teheran allowed one run on four hits in six innings in Triple-A Norfolk’s 7-3 loss to Lehigh Valley. The IronPigs scored six runs in the eighth against Wandisson Charles and Matt Krook. Third baseman Coby Mayo had three hits, including his 14th home run. It was the Tides’ fifth straight loss.
Double-A Bowie was held to three hits in its 5-0 loss to Altoona. Seth Johnson (0-5) walked four batters in the first inning and was pulled after recording only two outs.
High-A Aberdeen starter Levi Wells (0-5) left the IronBirds’ 6-3 loss to Wilmington after just one innings with right shoulder discomfort. Third baseman Mac Horvath left after he was hit by a pitch on his left wrist.
Leftfielder Thomas Sosa had three hits, including his fourth home run, in Single-A Delmarva’s 8-2 win over Fayetteville.
Bowie right-hander Houston Roth was placed on the 7-day injured list and was replaced by right-hander Cody Scroggins, who was promoted from Aberdeen. Infielder Alfredo Velasquez was transferred from the Florida Complex League Orioles to the Baysox.
What’s next? The Orioles will try to rebound on Saturday when Corbin Burnes (8-2, 2.14) faces Ronel Blanco (7-2, 2.43) at 4:10 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com