Anthony Santander hit a two-run homer to win the game with two outs in the ninth inning, marking his 42nd home run of the season. This helped the Baltimore Orioles get closer to making the playoffs, as they defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Thursday.
“That’s a reminder of who we are,” Santander said about the Orioles, who are almost guaranteed a playoff spot but have been struggling lately. “A close game, and then we stay positive, we stay together.”
Santander’s home run came after Casey Schmitt tied the game at 3-3 with a single against Seranthony Domínguez in the top of the ninth inning.
The walk-off homer went a few feet over the grounds crew shed in right-center, ending a game where the Orioles had lost three in a row and eight out of their last ten.
With this win, the Orioles (85-68) moved three games ahead of the inactive Kansas City for the top AL wild card and got within four games of the AL East-leading New York Yankees, who lost to Seattle.
“I was like this: ‘Huff, huff, huff, keep going please,’” Santander said, making a blowing gesture. “I hit it good with the barrel, but too high. I was hopeful that that ball kept going. And thankfully it did.”
The Giants (74-79) were eliminated from playoff contention.
Gregory Soto (3-5) quickly got a double play in relief of Domínguez to keep the game tied.
Adley Rutschman had an RBI double, and Jackson Holliday drove in two runs with a two-out single during a three-run fourth inning for Baltimore. Michael Conforto’s 18th home run gave San Francisco a 2-0 lead earlier in the game.
“It felt like the guys were doing everything they can to win this game today,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, who achieved his 400th career victory. “Not that they haven’t been. But for me, this was a needed win.”
