Pinch-hitter Adley Rutschman stepped up with a crucial hit in the eighth inning, driving in two runs with a single. Gunnar Henderson also made his mark by hitting his 17th home run, helping the Baltimore Orioles secure a 6-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
Colton Cowser made a spectacular catch to deny Tommy Pham a home run, sealing the win for the Orioles in a close game. This victory came after a tense 8-6 win against the White Sox the previous day, which ended with some dramatic plays.
In the eighth inning, Ryan O’Hearn doubled and Anthony Santander walked, setting the stage for Rutschman’s heroics. Despite a diving attempt by Andrew Benintendi in left field, Rutschman’s hit brought in both runners, with Santander’s aggressive base running making the difference as he slid past the tag to extend the Orioles’ lead to 6-4.
Reflecting on his clutch hit, Rutschman acknowledged the pressure of such moments but highlighted the importance of preparation and staying calm.
Henderson also contributed significantly to the Orioles’ offense, scoring a run in the third inning and adding a two-run homer in the fifth inning against White Sox pitcher Chris Flexen.
While the White Sox managed to rally with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, including a solo homer by Andrew Vaughn, they couldn’t overcome the Orioles’ lead. Corbin Burnes pitched six solid innings for the Orioles, allowing three runs and seven hits, before Danny Coulombe took over in the eighth inning.
Craig Kimbrel closed the game, securing his 11th save of the season with a strong performance in the ninth inning, capped off by Cowser’s exceptional catch in center field.
