Ward's 8th-Inning Homer Lifts Orioles Past Astros 3-2

Decisive Moment

Taylor Ward’s two-run home run in the eighth inning proved to be the difference maker, propelling the Baltimore Orioles to a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Saturday. The blast, which traveled 399 feet to left-center field, scored fellow Oriole Adley Rutschman and shifted the momentum entirely in Baltimore’s favor after the game had been tied at 2-2.

Ward’s power surge gave the visiting club its fifth consecutive win, extending their winning streak while handing the Astros a loss that dropped their record to 47-52.

Scoring Sequence

The Orioles established an early lead in the first inning when Alvarez doubled to left field, driving in Peña for a 1-0 advantage. The Astros responded in the third inning, tying the game at 1-1 when Alonso walked, allowing Mayo to score. That play was the subject of a Houston challenge, but the umpiring call on the field was upheld, preserving the tie.

Baltimore regained the lead moments later in the same frame when Paredes hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Peña again to make it 2-1. The Orioles extended their lead in the eighth when Ward connected on his home run, bringing the final tally to 3-2. The Astros were unable to mount a comeback, leaving the game with that score.

Pitching Performances

Peter Lambert started for Houston, delivering a strong outing by striking out 10 batters over six innings. He allowed three hits and one earned run, but the damage came late when Bryan King took the loss after surrendering two earned runs in his single inning of work. King’s line included two hits allowed and one strikeout.

Enyel De Los Santos closed out the game for Houston, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with one walk and no strikeouts. Steven Okert recorded the save for the Astros with a perfect inning of relief, striking out two batters.

For Baltimore, Dean Kremer started on the mound, giving up four hits and two earned runs while striking out five in four innings. He was relieved by Anthony Nunez, who pitched two scoreless innings with two walks. Grant Wolfram contributed a fraction of an inning, allowing one hit and two walks.

Cam Sanders earned the win, pitching two-thirds of an inning without allowing a hit or a run. Andrew Kittredge secured the save with a perfect inning, striking out one batter. Tyler Wells closed the game with a scoreless frame, striking out one and walking one, earning his third save of the season.

The Orioles’ record improved to 47-51 following the contest.

Sources

ESPN