Despite strong start by Rogers, Orioles end disappointing homestand with 5-2 loss to Padres

BALTIMORE–What happened? The Orioles prepared for a challenging West Coast road trip with a lackluster performance against another West Coast team.

The Orioles concluded their homestand with a 3-4 record as they lost to the San Diego Padres, 5-2, before 20,169 at Camden Yards on Sunday. It was their first losing homestand of the season.

Oriole starter Trevor Rogers allowed two runs on five hits in six innings for his first quality start since April 7^th. Bad luck cost him in the second inning when he gave up his two runs.

Samad Taylor led off with a bunt single, and with two outs, Rodolfo Durán’s grounder seemed headed for second baseman Jeremiah Jackson. Instead, it hit the bag, allowing Taylor to score from second and Durán had a double. He scored on Fernando Tatis’ single to left that found a hole.

“It was tough,” Rogers said. “Just did my job, executed pitches, got the ball on the ground, and this game is a game of inches, and either let it affect the rest of the day, or as soon as the ball hits the bag, kind of just got to laugh at stuff like that. I was glad to be able to bounce back and keep the guys in it the rest of the way.”

Rogers (3-7) walked two and struck out four, throwing 82 pitches.

The Orioles (34-39) outhit the Padres (37-33), 10-7, left eight on base and were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Their first run came on Jackson’s seventh home run in the fifth against Walker Buehler (4-3).

Buehler allowed one run on six hits in five innings.

The Orioles had multiple runners on in the second, third and sixth, but couldn’t score.

In the second, with Pete Alonso at second and Colton Cowser at first with two outs, Jackson struck out.

Blaze Alexander and Taylor Ward singled to start the third. Gunnar Henderson lined to right, Adley Rutschman grounded to first and Alonso grounded to third.

In the sixth, Bradgley Rodriguez walked Alonso and Samuel Basallo singled. After Leody Taveras’ bunt moved the runners to second and third, Colton Cowser and Jackson Holliday struck out.

“Walker did a good job. He didn’t walk anyone, he was throwing strikes, and we had chances,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Like we talk about with our pitchers, when you’re throwing strikes, you get guys in swing mode and he’s able to use his sinker and cutter off his four-seam. And then he had the curveball going, as well.

“Yeah, there’s a couple spots there we wish we could have pushed a couple across. I think we were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, so we cash in, it might be a different game there.”

Rodolfo Durán hit a two-run home run in the eighth against Rico Garcia to give San Diego a 4-1 lead.

Alexander doubled to start the seventh against Jason Adam and scored on Henderson’s one-out single.

Adrian Morejon pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings and left after Taveras’ two-out single in the eighth.

Mason Miller struck out Coby Mayo to end the eighth. Miller, who hasn’t allowed an extra-base hit since August 5^th, 2025, quickly dispatched the Orioles in the ninth for his 19^th save in as many chances. He struck out two and Ward flied to right.

“Yeah, he’s tough,” Ward said. “Definitely one of the better closers in the game. I mean, when you’re throwing over 100, pretty rare. So definitely tough. Tough that we saw him this series, hoping to avoid him. But, yeah, hat’s off to him. Just tough for the offense, any offense.”

The Orioles committed three errors in the ninth that led to a run. Henderson booted Will Wagner’s grounder, and with one out, Holliday muffed Durán’s grounder, which caromed to Henderson, who threw it wildly to first. Wagner took third and scored on Tatis’ sacrifice fly to right.

Infield coach Miguel Cairo was at Henderson’s locker after the game, instructing him on how to prevent those two errors. It was Henderson’s first two-error game since June 8^th, 2025.

How did Rogers throw? Albernaz thought it was a good performance.

“Rog threw the ball extremely well today,” he said. “Some soft contact. Did a good job getting the ball forward, and that one ball hitting the bag. Fortunate bounce. But that was tough. But he threw the ball well. Sammy [Basallo] did an excellent job with him, too. He called an excellent game, navigated some tough innings. It was fun watching those two work.”

Rogers began the season with three straight quality starts. His next nine weren’t. This was much better.

“Definitely learned from that time,” Rogers said. “It made me better, and throwing the ball, I always know the way I can throw the ball for this club, and just constantly just trying to keep my team in games, and just going out and trying to do job best of my ability, and I think I got the Dodgers next, so it’s going to be a great test, probably one of the best lineups all in baseball, and stay within my routine, and get ready for the Dodgers.”

How important is the upcoming road trip? The Orioles play three games in Seattle, then three each with the Dodgers and Angels.

“Every game is important, especially with some really high-caliber teams that we’re going to face, and we’re in every game,” Rogers said.

“Unfortunately, this hasn’t gone our way the past couple days, and I’ll take this team over anyone in the league. I’ve the utmost confidence in everyone in this room, and it’s all going to take one inning, one game to get it turned around with runners in scoring position. But I believe every single guy in this clubhouse.”

What does it mean? The Orioles upcoming road trip will be difficult and it’s vital that the Orioles have a winning trip.

What’s the stat of the day? 5. Miller threw five pitches that were at least 102 miles per hour. Miller’s fastest pitch was 102.8 mph. He also threw a wicked slider.

What’s the word?  “Very, especially when you know Mason Miller is on the mound already, and it’s a two-run game that you want to just get back in the dugout and it’s already a tough task, but it’s two runs, and adding the third run, it makes it even more difficult …Those three errors, they hurt us.”-Albernaz on the ramifications of the three-error ninth.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit his 15^th home run in Triple-A Norfolk’s 11-7 loss to Memphis.

Boston Bateman allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings as High-A Frederick lost to Brooklyn, 7-4. Victor Figueroa hit his 17^th home run.

What’s next? After Monday’s offday, the Orioles will open a three-game series in Seattle on Tuesday. Brandon Young (5-1, 3.04) will start against Logan Gilbert (4-4, 3.62). Game time is 9:40 p.m.

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