Orioles return to buffed-up Camden Yards with 8-1 win over Nationals; Strong start for Bradish, homers by Cowser, Henderson, Jackson

BALTIMORE–What’s happening? It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon for baseball, and the 8,948 fans on hand seemed to enjoy the first game at Oriole Park in nearly six months and the unseasonably warm weather.

The temperature reached 78 degrees late in the game, and the crowd, which was all in the lower deck and bleachers, got to experience the vastly improved sound system and view the much larger scoreboard.

The scoreboard, which is much easier to read, didn’t feature its full elements, the team said. Those will wait for Thursday’s opener against the Minnesota Twins.

“I went outside about three hours before the game,” said Kyle Bradish, who started the game. “I checked everything out and it looked amazing.”

Despite the small crowd, there was lots of enthusiasm. Pete Alonso’s first at-bat was greeted warmly, and it seemed more like a regular-season game.

“A little bit of extra juice, but nothing like what Opening Day is going to feel like,” outfielder Colton Cowser said.

Twenty-four hours before home-and-home games with the Nationals, the Orioles were concluding their Grapefruit League season in Sarasota.

“I love this place,” manager Craig Albernaz said about Camden Yards. “I appreciate the fans coming out. It was awesome … It definitely wasn’t a Grapefruit League feel, but also definitely wasn’t a ‘real game’ feel. Kind of like a hybrid. I love that we get to come up here and play before we actually have a real game.”

The Orioles and Nationals will conclude exhibition play with these games over the next four years.

What’s happened? Bradish, who was officially named as their No. 2 starter, allowed four hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings as the Orioles beat the Nationals, 8-1.

“It’s definitely a different feel than being in Sarasota,” Bradish said. “

Bradish, who’ll start next Saturday against the Twins, threw 74 pitches, struck out three and walked three. His spring ERA was 2.35.

“Got through it healthy, and now we’re good,” said Bradish, who made only six starts last year after Tommy John surgery.

Cowser and Gunnar Henderson homered against Mitchell Parker, and the Orioles added three runs in a sloppy sixth inning when two runs scored on bases-loaded walks and another when Blaze Alexander was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Cowser’s home run landed on Eutaw Street, but because it wasn’t a regular-season game, a plaque won’t be added.

“I might just go put my own sticker out there,” he joked. “I don’t know what the official ruling on that is.”

Cowser is hitting .227 with a .633 OPS in exhibition games.

“I’ve had springs where I’ve come out, guns ablazing, and this year was a little different,” Cowser said. “It boils down to what I’m trying to accomplish and other things I know I can do.

“It was showing up, trying to fine-tune the approach, fine-tune what I’m looking for and trying to shorten up the game a little bit. I went through some struggles, but I was more worried about the process this spring.”

Utility player Jeremiah Jackson hit a three-run home run in the eighth. He’s hitting .333 with an .898 OPS.

“My body feels good. The swing feels good. All in all, it feels like a pretty good spring training,” Jackson said.

Albernaz played most of his available regulars. Taylor Ward is away after the birth of his third child, and Cowser started in left and Leody Taveras in center. Ryan Mountcastle played first while Alonso was the designated hitter.

Fans who didn’t get to Sarasota got to watch a typical late March Grapefruit League game with regulars playing six innings and liberal substitutions after that.

Rico Garcia retired the final two batters in the sixth. Jackson Kowar pitched a scoreless seventh. Ryan Long, an Orioles minor leaguer who pitched for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic, gave up an eighth-inning home run to Daylen Lile.

Ryan Helsley pitched a scoreless ninth, walking two and striking out three.

Luis Vázquez was hit by a pitch in the right thumb. He had sutures and will get X-rays on Monday.

What’s up with Coby Mayo? The 24-year-old infielder is hitting .389 with a 1.039 OPS this spring.

“Whenever you’re given a chance to go out in the field and compete, you have the ability to showcase your work,” Mayo said. “There have been some things that have happened that have given me more of a chance at this level, and I’m going to do what I can to take advantage of that.”

Mayo will start the season at third base for the injured Jordan Westburg, and he said he’s a much better player than he was in 2025.

“A year ago, I wasn’t very confident. I didn’t know how the big leagues were going to treat me in years to come,” he said. “I knew I had talent, too, from the minor leagues, and you don’t know if it’s ever going to transfer over. You’re hoping it’s going to, and I think just some hard work and a little bit of confidence can boost how you feel at the plate, how you feel on the field.”

What’s what? The major league setting and the warm weather made the game seem less like a sleepy Grapefruit League game and more like a meaningful one.

What’s the word? “You’re going to make errors. You’re going to screw some things up. You’re going to make some great plays. You’re not going to make some great plays.”–Mayo on his confidence. 

What’s the number? 42,455. That’s the new seating capacity at Oriole Park.

What’s the record? 12-13-3. The Orioles will play the Nationals on Monday at Nationals Park at 1:05 p.m. Shane Baz, who’ll start the third game of the regular season, will start for the Orioles. The Nationals will use a series of relievers.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com