The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-3 in their series opener, with Samuel Basallo hitting a tie-breaking, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The game, played at Camden Yards, saw the Orioles secure a win before an announced crowd of 26,993.
Basallo’s home run, his 15th of the season, came off Matt Strahm after Pete Alonso led off the eighth with a single. The ball left the bat at 105.9 mph, and Basallo expressed his enjoyment of every home run, emphasizing the importance of having fun in the game. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz noted Basallo’s impressive swing and ability to keep the ball fair, especially against a left-handed pitcher like Strahm.
Early game action and pitching performance
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 hits. Beavers and Alexander scored on singles from Holliday and Henderson, giving the Orioles an early lead against Royals starter Luinder Avila.
Brandon Young started on the mound for the Orioles, delivering a solid performance for much of the game. He allowed baserunners in the first and second innings but managed to escape trouble. In the second inning, Henderson made a sliding stop to initiate a double play, aiding Young’s effort. Young’s seventh inning was particularly efficient, requiring only five pitches for two ground balls and a flyout.
The Royals briefly tied the game in the fourth inning when Jac Caglianone hit his 15th home run, followed by a walk and a double. However, Alexander responded with a solo home run, putting the Orioles back in the lead 3-2. Alexander’s home run was his second hit of the game, and he also contributed defensively.
Young carried a 3-2 lead into the eighth inning, but Isaac Collins hit a leadoff home run on the eighth pitch of his at-bat, tying the game at 3-3. Young expressed disappointment about not being able to finish on a good note but was thankful for the team’s subsequent rally. His final line included 7 innings pitched, 8 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts.
Key offensive contributions
Blaze Alexander had an all-around strong performance, registering his second hit of the game with a solo home run in the fourth inning. This home run, a 436-foot shot to left field off Avila, was the longest of his 14 career major league home runs. Alexander has a career-high 29 RBIs and is batting .306 with a .791 OPS. Albernaz praised Alexander’s versatility on the field and his improved plate discipline, noting his ability to grind out at-bats and hit to the opposite field.
Jackson Holliday also contributed offensively, with an RBI single in the second inning that scored Dylan Beavers. Holliday reached base for the seventh consecutive time, following a 4-for-4 performance on Wednesday and two walks on Thursday. Henderson’s single into center field, clocked at 105.9 mph, brought Alexander home in the second inning.
The Orioles’ early scoring in the second inning saw Beavers and Alexander cross the plate. Despite a strong start, the Orioles were held to three runs for a significant portion of the game, with Avila limiting their offense after the initial burst. The Royals’ bullpen maintained the tie until Basallo’s decisive hit in the eighth.
Closing out the game
After Basallo’s home run gave the Orioles a 5-3 lead, Andrew Kittredge came in to close out the game in the ninth inning. Kittredge secured his third save of the season, despite Michael Massey hitting a double that a better right fielder might have caught. Tyler O’Neill, who pinch-hit for Beavers in the eighth, was unable to make the play on Massey’s hit. The game concluded with Josh Rojas striking out.
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz emphasized the team’s goal to win as many games as possible, regardless of the timing in the season. The team’s victory against the Royals gives them an opportunity to improve their standing. Basallo’s game-winning home run was a highlight of the evening, contributing to the Orioles’ 5-3 win on July 10, 2026.
Source: camdenchat.com