Orioles extend home run streak, still struggle at the plate in 5-1 loss to Astros

The Orioles always feel confident when Corbin Burnes takes the mound, but the Astros countered today with one of the best pitchers in the American League. Ronel Blanco held Baltimore to just one run in seven innings, and Burnes made a few too many errors in a 5-1 loss at Houston.

The Orioles struck first when Jordan Westburg returned a belt-high fastball and sent it 380 feet over the left-field fence. Westburg’s 12th home run of the season marked a franchise record 21 consecutive games with at least one home run by an Orioles player.

Burnes pitched a scoreless first game, but he failed to record a save inning in the second. Yainer Diaz threw a ball to right field that flew past the jumping Colton Cowser. The ball bounced hard off the wall and gave Diaz time to reach third. Burnes sent Jake Meyers to the ground for the first out, but Houston tied the score with a Mauricio Dubón sacrifice fly.

Adley Rutschman and Ryan O’Hearn both had two outs in the third, but Ryan Mountcastle struck out to end the inning. Chas McCormick had a leadoff single in the bottom half and Houston took advantage of his scoring opportunity.

Burnes missed on his pass to Yordan Álvarez, and the slugger did what he does best. Álvarez threw the ball 420 feet over the center field fence to give Houston a 3-1 advantage.

The Orioles were rarely threatened after that. Cedric Mullins tripled with one out in the seventh, but Colton Cowser was robbed on a lineout by Jeremy Peńa and Ramón Urías lined out to end the threat.

McCormick extended the lead to three with a towering home run to left field in the fifth. Burnes threw seven straight cutters to McCormick before finally catching too many tackles. Burnes hadn’t allowed more than three runs in an outing before coughing up four today.

Burnes actually only made a few mistakes, but Houston made him pay. He still kept Baltimore in the game and spared the bullpen with seven innings. He allowed five hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter.

Trailing by three, the Orioles threw out Bryan Baker in the eighth inning. McCormick capped a monster day by hammering Baker’s first pitch over the right field wall. Cowser did his best to keep the ball in the stadium, but McCormick gave just enough. Cowser appeared to hit his head during the steal attempt, but remained in the match.

Mullins accounted for half of Baltimore’s hits with a 2-for-3 effort. O’Hearn’s single and Westburg’s homer accounted for the only other offense. Rutschman walked in his first two plate appearances, but failed to record a hit after totaling five last night. Gunnar Henderson finished 0 for 3 with a walk, and Anthony Santander failed to build on a red-hot June.

Blanco continued a dominant start to 2024 with seven strong frames. Blanco improved to 8-2 while lowering his ERA to 2.34 this season. Ryan Pressly and Josh Hader recorded the final six outs without allowing a base runner.

There’s no reason to panic after Baltimore failed to solve this trio. The Orioles failed to win a wacky first game and they came up short against a talented pitcher today. Houston improved to 37-40 this season, but the Astros still have a playoff-caliber team.

The result handed Houston the series and now puts Baltimore at risk of being swept for the second time this season. Albert Súarez will face Framber Valdez tomorrow at 2:10 p.m.