Orioles turn up the offense with 6 home runs in 10-3 win over Red Sox

BALTIMORE–What happened? The Orioles put on an impressive display of power on Friday night, slugging six home runs, the most since Opening Day 2025.

Adley Rutschman equaled his career high with two home runs and six RBIs in the Orioles’ 10-3 win over the Boston Red Sox before 26,776 at Camden Yards.

The Orioles’ 10 runs and 20 hits were season highs.

The Orioles are at .500 for the eighth time this season at 13-13.

Boston, which scored only three runs in three losses to the New York Yankees, is 9-17.

The Orioles hit three home runs in the first inning against Brayan Bello (1-3), who was left in the game long enough to allow eight runs on 13 hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Gunnar Henderson hit his eighth home run and his 13^th leadoff home run. Rutschman, the No. 3 batter, hit a two-run home run, and Dylan Beavers, who was batting fifth, hit his second.

Rutschman’s infield out scored Henderson with the fifth run in the second inning.

Samuel Basallo hit his fourth home run in the third, and Rutschman hit his third home run of the year, another two-run homer, in the fourth.

Coby Mayo hit his third home run in as many games in the fifth. Rutschman’s eighth-inning single drove in Henderson for the 10^th run. It was impressive for two reasons: after pulling two homers to right, Rutschman hit the ball to the opposite field, and Henderson’s all-out hustle, and speed, to score from second on the hit to left.

Taylor Ward had four singles, his third four-hit game this season. Basallo had a career-high four hits.

“All these guys have that capability in them,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “It was good to see kind of everything come together for tonight’s game.”

Brandon Young, who was recalled on Thursday to start in place of the injured Dean Kremer, allowed three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. It was Young’s second start on short notice. On April 6^th, he pitched five scoreless innings, giving up only two hits to the Chicago White Sox.

“That’s life for the position, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else,” Young said. “And being up here, contributing to a team win up here, it means the world. This is awesome.”

Andrew Kittredge, who was activated from the injured list, pitched a spotless seventh inning in his first action of the season. Kittredge had been out with right shoulder inflammation.

How much fun did the offense have? It’s been a long time since Rutschman had a game like this, and the Orioles’ 20 hits were their most since last June 27^th, when they had 21.

“It’s the best,” Rutschman said. “Guys are just cheering in the dugout, getting excited for each other. I think everyone in this clubhouse knows how talented this group of hitters and pitchers are. To be able to have a game like this where guys are barreling balls, just cheering for each other, I think is pretty cool for everyone to experience and just get excited for.”

Henderson entered the game hitting .189 and had a three-hit game. He was 0-for-5 on Wednesday, striking out three times.

“It’s been a tough past three series for me,” he said. “So, yeah, it was good to see some balls off the bat and get on base a couple times.”

Albernaz complimented Ward, who’s now hitting .311.

“He silently gets four hits, you know just being Taylor Ward,” he said.

Ward’s hoping the Orioles’ slow starts in games will end, and they’ll be able to start quickly as they did in this game.

“That’s what you want to do coming out of the gate, and I just think hopefully it brings a change around here with that and we can keep it rolling,” he said.

What does it mean? It was the first time the Orioles’ offense had seemingly clicked and it showed the potential it had.

What’s the word? “I think I’m more selective, for sure. I just think I’m really hunting the location I’m looking for. Being willing to be behind in counts and, I mean, just trusting it. I think it has changed a little bit. A little more patient and I’m just able to trust myself more right now.”-Ward on his approach at the plate this season.

What’s the stat of the day? 5. The Orioles scored four runs in the first inning after scoring five in their first 25 games.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Six Triple-A Norfolk pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout as the Tides beat Memphis, 1-0, in 10 innings. Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s RBI single was the game-winner.

Frederick Bencosme hit a two-run home run in Double-A Chesapeake’s 10-8 loss to Akron.

Wehiwa Aloy had a two-run home run and Ike Irish also homered in High-A Frederick’s 7-3 loss to Wilmington.

Juaron Watts-Brown pitched five no-hit innings, striking out eight and walking one. Boston Bateman, allowed seven runs, five earned on nine hits.

Outfielder RJ Austin was removed from the game because of hamstring discomfort.

Newly signed catcher Johnny Tincher hit a three-run home run and drove in four runs as Single-A Delmarva beat Wilson, 7-2.

What’s next? Trevor Rogers (2-2, 4.08) will start against Garrett Crochet (2-3, 7.88) on Saturday at 12:05 p.m. Game time was moved up four hours because of an unfavorable weather forecast.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com