The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-3 in their series opener at Camden Yards. The decisive moment came in the bottom of the eighth inning when Samuel Basallo hit a two-run home run, breaking a 3-3 tie.
The Orioles initiated their scoring in the second inning with a series of singles. Dylan Beavers, Blaze Alexander, Jackson Holliday, and Gunnar Henderson all contributed with singles. Beavers and Alexander scored on hits from Holliday and Henderson, establishing an early lead against Royals’ starter Luinder Avila.
Despite the early offensive production, the Orioles were held to three runs for a significant portion of the game. Alexander added to the Orioles’ score in the fourth inning with a solo home run, putting the team up 3-2. This marked Alexander’s second hit of the game, and he also demonstrated strong defensive play.
The Royals managed to tie the game briefly in the fourth inning before Alexander’s home run. Jac Caglianone hit his 15th home run, making the score 2-1, followed by a walk and a double that leveled the game. In the eighth inning, Isaac Collins hit a leadoff home run off Brandon Young, tying the game at 3-3.
Young, who started for the Orioles, delivered a solid performance for much of the game. He navigated through baserunners in the first and second innings, aided by strong defense, including a sliding stop by Henderson that initiated a double play in the second. Young’s seventh inning was particularly efficient, requiring only five pitches to retire the side.
However, Young’s outing concluded after Collins’ game-tying home run in the eighth. Rico Garcia then took over on the mound, completing the rest of the inning without further incident. Young’s final line for the game included 7 innings pitched, 8 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts.
The Orioles’ offense responded in the bottom of the eighth. Pete Alonso led off with a single, setting the stage for Basallo. Basallo then hit a two-run homer off Matt Strahm, which was clocked at 105.9 mph. This was Basallo’s 15th home run of the season and secured a 5-3 lead for Baltimore.
Manager Craig Albernaz expressed his confidence in Basallo, particularly in his ability to hit against left-handed pitchers like Strahm. Basallo, speaking through interpreter Brandon Quinones, mentioned his focus on making contact and his enjoyment of every home run he hits, emphasizing the importance of having fun in the game.
Alexander also commented on Basallo’s hit, noting the excitement it generated. Albernaz highlighted Alexander’s versatility on the field and his improved plate discipline, making him a significant threat in the lineup. Alexander’s 436-foot shot in the fourth inning was his longest in the majors, contributing to his career-high 29 RBIs.
The Orioles’ defense also played a crucial role. In the fifth inning, Collins was thrown out at second after coming off the bag on a slide, with Henderson holding the tag. Alexander contributed defensively in the sixth inning by turning a double play after Caglianone led off with a single.
Andrew Kittredge closed out the game for the Orioles, earning his third save of the season. Despite a double by Michael Massey, Kittredge secured the win by striking out Josh Rojas to end the game. The Orioles will look to continue their winning momentum in the series.
The victory was a result of a collective effort, with strong pitching from Young, timely hitting from Alexander, and the game-winning heroics from Basallo. The team’s ability to overcome adversity and secure the win was a key takeaway from the Friday night game.
Holliday, who had an RBI single in the second inning, continued his strong performance, reaching base for the seventh consecutive time. He had gone 4-for-4 in a previous game and walked twice coming off the bench. His ground ball into right field, though hit at 74.6 mph, was effective in scoring Beavers.
The Orioles turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the second inning after Salvador Perez singled and Rojas reached on an infield hit. This defensive play helped Young navigate through the early innings. The team’s resilience was evident throughout the game, culminating in Basallo’s decisive home run.
The Orioles secured the 5-3 victory over the Royals on July 10, 2026.
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Source: camdenchat.com
