Mar 30, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) rounds the bases after hitting a first inning home run against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
BALTIMORE—Shortstop Gunnar Henderson received his Silver Slugger award before Saturday’s game and began the Orioles’ first with a home run. He added a single in the fifth, and a two-run triple in a nine-run sixth inning, and the Orioles had their second straight lopsided win to begin the season.
The Orioles had a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, and the first nine batters all scored in a 13-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels before 28,420 at Camden Yards.
Besides Henderson’s triple in the sixth, Anthony Santander hit a three-run home run, his second three-run homer in as many games. Jordan Westburg had a two-run single in the inning. Austin Hays had an RBI single and Cedric Mullins had a run-scoring double to complete the nine-run inning.
It’s the first time since 2021 they’ve won their first two games of the season. In 2021, they began the season with three straight wins in Boston, though they finished that season 52-110.
Oriole starter Grayson Rodriguez (1-0) had completed his work just before the nine-run outburst began. He allowed one run on four hits in six innings, equaling his career high with nine strikeouts and threw 84 pitches.
Rodriguez allowed a home run to Taylor Ward with one out in the fourth.
Ryan Mountcastle had two RBI doubles, in the first and the third and added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Cionel Pérez faced two batters in the ninth, allowing a triple to Mickey Moniak and a run-scoring single to Ward before leaving with head athletic trainer Brian Ebel. It appeared Pérez hurt his side on the pitch to Ward. Mike Baumann finished the game as the Angels scored three runs in the ninth.
Note: Santander is the first Oriole to homer in his first two games of the season since Rio Ruiz on July 24th-26th, 2020.
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