**BALTIMORE - Tyler O'Neill's Opening Day home run streak might have ended, but his impact on the Orioles' season opener was undeniable. For six straight years, O'Neill had been a sure bet to go deep on the first day of the season.
However, this time, the baseball gods had a different plan. **
The 30-year-old outfielder went 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, and a run scored, helping Baltimore secure a tight 2-1 victory over the Twins at Camden Yards. It marked the first time since his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2019 that O'Neill didn't hit a homer on Opening Day.
Reflecting on the game, O'Neill said, "Homer wasn’t meant to be this time."
O'Neill's remarkable streak included four consecutive Opening Day homers with St. Louis from 2020 to 2023, matching legends like Todd Hundley, Gary Carter, and Yogi Berra.
In 2024, he set a new standard by going deep in his only opener with Boston. Last year, he delighted Canadian fans with a three-run shot in Toronto, extending his streak to six.
This year, O'Neill approached the game with a relaxed mindset. "Pressure’s off, obviously," he shared.
"Would it be great to push it to seven? Yeah.
But if not, no big deal."
Despite not homering, O'Neill was upbeat about his performance and the team's win. "It was a good win, man," he said.
"Fans were bringing it. A lot of energy out there.
Opening Day at Camden is so special."
O'Neill made his presence felt early, working a nine-pitch walk against Joe Ryan and later singling off Justin Topa in the seventh, setting the stage for Baltimore's game-winning runs.
After a challenging 2025 season marred by injuries and a .199 batting average, O'Neill is optimistic about 2026. "I feel really good about myself," he noted. "Being familiar with the clubhouse and the guys, it’s been really fun to get to know this new staff and embrace our baseball family."
With a fresh start and a promising first win, O'Neill and the Orioles are looking to make waves this season.