Ryan Mountcastle hit two two-run singles, Cedric Mullins made a fantastic catch in center field, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Padres 8-6 on Sunday to end San Diego’s seven-game winning streak.
The Orioles scored six runs in the third inning when their first six batters got on base before Randy Vásquez (3-6) was taken out. During his time on the mound, he walked in a run, gave up an RBI single to Ryan O’Hearn, and allowed a single by Mountcastle that made it 4-0.
Mullins later hit a two-run double in the same inning. However, the Orioles almost lost their six-run lead as San Diego scored three runs in the fifth inning, and Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer in the next inning.
In the eighth inning, Mullins made a running catch on a drive from Manny Machado before hitting the wall. Mountcastle then drove in two more runs with a hit in the bottom of the eighth to give the Orioles a little extra lead.
“That was a big win for us,” Mountcastle said. “Hopefully we keep it rolling next series, stay positive, and just keep grinding it out.”
The AL East-leading Orioles had lost five of their last six games, but the mood was different from the start on Sunday, as they honored Mo Gaba, a 14-year-old fan who passed away four years ago after several battles with cancer.
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson made an impressive play in the second inning by diving to stop a grounder and then throwing to first while rolling on the ground to get David Peralta out.
Henderson did make two errors, bringing his total to five in the last four games. Albert Suárez, whose place in the rotation is uncertain after Baltimore acquired Zach Eflin from Tampa Bay, was taken out one out short of a win.
Jacob Webb, Cionel Pérez (2-0), Seranthony Domínguez, and Yennier Cano pitched from the bullpen.
Cano came in for the ninth inning with a three-run lead instead of struggling closer Craig Kimbrel. Cano’s first two batters got on base with infield hits.
Henderson almost made another great play on a grounder by Peralta, similar to his earlier play, but he bounced the throw for an error, allowing the batter to reach second base. Then Henderson was unable to catch Ha-Seong Kim’s two-hopper.
