The Orioles woke up Saturday with a little more breathing room in the AL wild card chase, and they earned it the hard way. Their 4-3 win over the Athletics in Sacramento went 10 innings, came with a pair of big late swings from Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and moved Baltimore a game closer in the standings after a night of help elsewhere.
Brandon Young set the tone. The right-hander delivered seven strong innings and allowed just one run, a solo homer in his final frame.
August has been a grind for him, and there had been some concern that he might be running on fumes this late in the year. Instead, he turned in another outing that shut that talk down.
By season’s end, Pete Alonso is likely to be named “Most Valuable Oriole,” but Young has made a real case to be in the conversation too.
The bullpen finished the job from there, and Alex Hoppe picked up his first career big league save. He’s been a useful piece since arriving: 8.1 innings, no earned runs, five hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. Rico Garcia had his first rough patch in a few weeks, but Baltimore still got the result it needed.
There was also a notable lineup move. Blaze Alexander was back for the first time since July 12, handling shortstop and batting leadoff as Gunnar Henderson’s replacement.
Alexander went 1-for-5. Henderson spent most of the night on the bench and only entered as a pinch runner in the 10th.
A day off now and then might not be the worst thing for a player who continues to struggle at the plate.
The Orioles got a boost beyond their own box score, too. In Cleveland, the Guardians lost for the first time in more than a week, falling 3-0 to the Royals in their series opener.
The Rangers dropped their third straight, taking losses to the White Sox and then the Brewers. Put together with Baltimore’s win, that leaves the Orioles just two games behind the Guardians for the final AL wild card spot.
If they keep winning on this road trip, they could head home in command of that playoff position.
The schedule doesn’t get any kinder tonight. Baltimore and the Athletics meet again in Sacramento at 10:05 p.m., with Shane Baz on the mound. Jack Perkins is set to start for the A’s.
Elsewhere around the Orioles world, Trey Mancini will retire as an Oriole and be honored on Sept. 19. Albert Suárez is back in the conversation again as he keeps re-signing with the club, and there’s also the question of which September players the Orioles might add, with Félix Bautista expected back at some point and Enrique Bradfield Jr. drawing mention as a possible call-up.
In Other News...
Trey Mancinis Baltimore Return Will Hit Orioles Fans Right In The Heart
Trey Mancinis next trip through Camden Yards will come with a very different kind of spotlight. The longtime fan favorite announced his retirement on Aug. 18, and hell officially close out his playing career as a member of the Orioles, signing a one-day contract before being honored at Oriole Park on Sept. 19.
The pregame ceremony is shaping up as a full Baltimore reunion, with former teammates, coaches and medical professionals set to be part of it. Mancini will also throw out the first pitch and sign autographs for children, a fitting touch for a player whose time in Baltimore meant plenty to the clubhouse and even more to the people who watched him over the years. [Read more 🡒]
Trey Mancini Is Getting A Birdland Farewell Fans Will Feel
Trey Mancinis return to Camden Yards for a final Orioles sendoff has the feel of a full-circle moment for a player whose Baltimore years meant far more than just box scores. After announcing his retirement from professional baseball, Mancini will sign a one-day contract and retire as an Oriole on Sept. 19, when the Brewers come to town, giving Birdland a chance to salute one of the most beloved figures from the clubs recent era.
The Orioles are planning to make it feel special, with a limited-edition hat, a new permanent sign in the dugout and a ceremonial first pitch for Mancini as part of the celebration. His career arc, from major league contributor to cancer battle to comeback story, has long resonated with fans, and this farewell gives Baltimore a chance to recognize all of it in the place where so much of that journey unfolded. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Put Craig Albernaz On Notice For Stretch Run
The Orioles uneven season has left them in a familiar but uncomfortable spot, still close enough to the postseason picture to keep hope alive and far enough from preseason expectations to raise questions about what comes next. Baltimore sits at 65-69, a record that reflects just how hard it has been to turn talent into consistent results, and it has put Craig Albernaz under a sharper spotlight as the calendar moves into the final stretch.
A Sports Illustrated writer recently floated the possibility that Albernaz could be pushed out after just one season if the club sputters down the stretch, a scenario that would add another layer of uncertainty to a team already trying to define its direction. The Orioles have not been fully buried, which only makes the tension more pronounced, because the next few weeks could shape not just their playoff chances but also the long-term outlook of the dugout. [Read more 🡒]