Thrills and Spills: Orioles and Astros Split Intense Four-Game Series
The Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros were heading in different directions going into a pivotal four-game series this weekend at Camden Yards. The Orioles, who were among the hottest teams to start the season along with the Phillies and Yankees, had fallen into a major slump over the past two months. Prior to playing the Astros, the Orioles dropped two of their last three games against the New York Mets. In addition to dealing with an injury-plagued starting rotation and bullpen, they also had to deal with inconsistent offensive play, especially when it came to failing to capitalize on runners in scoring position. As for the Astros, they have also struggled with injuries this season. After starting the season 14-25 through the first 39 games, they found their rhythm and have gone 55-35 since. Entering Sunday night's series finale against the Orioles, they led the American League West division by four games over the second-place Seattle Mariners. Here’s a recap of how the drama-filled series played out.
Game One: Astros 6, Orioles 0
After sweeping the Orioles in Houston in late June, the Astros quickly established their dominance over them once more in the series opener on Thursday night. With star ace Corbin Burnes starting for Baltimore, the Orioles seemed to have the upper hand against the Astros in the first game of the series. However, Burnes' August woes persisted against the Astros, surrendering two walks, five earned runs, and only two strikeouts in five and two-thirds innings thrown. Meanwhile, rookie pitcher Spencer Arrighetti gave the Astros a strong outing, going six shutout innings while striking out six batters and walking just one. With two singles, two RBIs, and a walk, Astros' outfielder Ben Gamel was the player of the game for Houston.
Game Two: Orioles 7, Astros 5
The Astros showed why they have been among the greatest teams since their sluggish start through the first 16 innings of this series, and they carried that momentum into Game Two against the Orioles. After getting to rookie Orioles starter Cade Povich, who gave up five earned runs, two walks, and three strikeouts in five innings, the Astros took a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning. However, the Orioles eventually pulled off a late-game comeback for the 27th time this season, this time against the Astros bullpen, after failing to find any success with runners on base during the past two months. The Astros' nine-game road winning streak came to an end in the second game of the series when Anthony Santander smashed a grand slam off of Astros reliever Bryan Abreu, giving the Orioles a 6-5 lead and setting off a frenzy inside Camden Yards.
Game Three: Orioles 3, Astros 2
On Saturday afternoon, the third game of the series was another exciting contest with drama in the late innings. The Astros led 2-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning after an outstanding pitching duel between Orioles starter Albert Suarez and Astros ace Framber Valdez through the first five innings. However, once again, the Orioles would enjoy late-game success for the second straight game, after finally getting to Valdez toward the end of his start. The Orioles loaded the bases with two outs after outfielder Colton Cowser displayed his hustle by beating out an infield single to first base and diving to preserve the scoring threat. Despite being hitless in his last 20 at-bats, pinch hitter Jackson Holliday would save the day for the Orioles with a three-run double against reliever Tayler Scott, with all of the runs being credited to Valdez, giving the Orioles a 3-2 lead and prevailing against the Astros for a second straight game.
Game Four: Astros 6, Orioles 3
In the series finale, the Orioles were trying to take three games out of four against the Astros, with pitcher Dean Kremer taking the mound, who had been brilliant in his previous two starts, in which he had gone six innings while giving up just one run in each. On the other hand, the Astros trotted out starter Yusei Kikuchi. Since joining Houston following his departure from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline, Kikuchi has been excellent, going 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA and 31 strikeouts in four starts. The Astros would be the first to strike after the game started with three scoreless innings. They would mount a two-out rally in the top of the fourth inning off of Kremer, with first baseman Zach Dezenzo and catcher Victor Caratini each driving in runs to give Houston a 3-0 lead.
The Orioles were hitless through the first four innings, but in the bottom of the fifth, third baseman Ramon Urias tied the score at three with a three-run home run to center field. After Kremer pitched six innings, Orioles reliever Burch Smith entered the game in the top of the seventh. However, after getting the first two outs of the inning, Smith allowed third baseman Alex Bregman and designated hitter Yainer Diaz to blast back-to-back home runs, giving the Astros a 5-3 lead once again. The Astros would add another run in the eighth inning, leading 6-3, on a sac fly by pinch hitter Jake Meyers off reliever Cionel Perez and would ultimately hold off the Orioles to secure a series split.
