Gunnar Henderson hit a home run at the start of the first inning and later got a two-run triple during Baltimore’s huge nine-run sixth inning as the Orioles defeated the Los Angeles Angels 13-4 on Saturday.
Baltimore, after winning 11-3 on opening day, took an early lead again when Henderson hit the ball to right-center field. Henderson, who was the American League Rookie of the Year, got three hits and came close to hitting a double, completing almost all types of hits in a single game.
“I stuck to my plan, didn’t try to hit too hard,” Henderson said. “I avoided some bad pitches and hit the good ones well.”
Anthony Santander also hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning for the Orioles. The first nine Baltimore batters in that inning scored before the Angels managed to make an out. Grayson Rodriguez pitched for six innings, allowing just one run and four hits while striking out nine players.
Taylor Ward hit a home run for the Angels in the fourth inning and later got an RBI single in the ninth inning when the Angels scored three runs. Griffin Canning, the Angels’ pitcher, gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings.
“All of us need to reflect on what happened tonight and learn from it,” Ward said. “And then move on quickly.”
The Orioles were leading 3-1 before they significantly increased their lead in the sixth inning. Six out of the first nine hitters in that inning managed to get hits, two walked, and one reached base due to an error. After Santander hit a three-run homer, the Orioles had nine hitters come in, score nine runs, and there were still no outs.
According to Sportradar, the last time a team had all its first nine batters score in an inning was the Kansas City Royals on Sept. 29, 2023, against the New York Yankees. However, in that game, the ninth run was scored on a sacrifice fly, which was the first out of the inning.
The last time a team had its first nine batters score before making the first out was during Arizona’s fifth inning against Colorado on Sept. 9, 2022.
Henderson’s triple was his last at-bat of the game. He was substituted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. “It’s still early in the season. I understand,” Henderson said. “I understand the decision.”
After Henderson’s initial home run, Mountcastle hit a double, and later in the third inning, Santander and Mountcastle hit consecutive doubles, extending Baltimore’s lead to 3-0.
