Henderson’s 2-run triple lifts Orioles past Phillies, 6-4, as wild-card race tightens; Kremer traded to Twins

BALTIMORE—Before Friday night’s game, president of baseball operations Mike Elias emphasized how important the three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies was with the trade deadline coming on Monday at 6 p.m.

The Orioles began the game three games under .500 and trailed by two runs in the bottom of the seventh. But after a stirring four-run rally — capped by a two-run triple by Gunnar Henderson — they moved to two games under with a 6-4 win before 31,857 at Camden Yards.

With the win, the Orioles trail by 1 ½ games in the American League wild-card race.

After the game, the Orioles traded starting pitcher Dean Kremer to the Minnesota Twins for minor league outfielder Jhomnardo Reyes.

It’s the closest the Orioles have been to .500 since July 19^th when they completed a seven-game winning streak.

“With our guys, they know where they’re at in the season, where we’re at in the playoff chase, so every win right now is huge, and especially against a really good team like that,” manager Craig Albernaz said.

Trailing 4-2 heading into the seventh, the Orioles (54-56) had been held to two runs on three hits by Philadelphia starter Andrew Painter.

Orion Kerkering (6-1) allowed a leadoff single to Jackson Holliday, walked Colton Cowser before Christian Encarnacion-Strand tied it, 4-4, with a two-run double to left-center.

Pete Alonso was hit by a pitch with two outs. The Phillis brought in left-hander Tim Mayza to face Henderson, whose two-run triple to right-center gave the Orioles a 6-4 lead. Henderson, whose lack of big hits has been a source of frustration, punched the dirt after he slid into third.

“For the team, that’s what I want to do in that situation, to come through and at least push one across,” Henderson said. “Thankfully, I was able to get two. I was very happy to help the team win there.”

Anthony Nunez (3-2) recorded two outs in the seventh. Yennier Cano, whom the Orioles signed to a two-year extension before the game, pitched a spotless eighth.

Tyler Wells pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

Brandon Young hasn’t lost in seven starts, and he didn’t get off to a good start. The first three Phillies (57-53) reached. Bryce Harper’s singled scored Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, who walked, came home on Brandon Marsh’s walk.

After the Orioles tied it in the first on Alonso’s two-run home run, his 23^rd, Turner homered in the third and J.T. Realmuto in the sixth against Young, who allowed four runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

What does the Kremer trade mean? The Orioles don’t need a fifth starter until August 8^th. Chris Bassitt, who’s on the 60-day injured list after back surgery, could replace him in the rotation.

Was the win big because of the trade deadline? Henderson knows how big this win was.

“I mean, not necessarily just because of the trade deadline, but I feel like they’re big in the sense that we’re, what, 1.5 out of the wild card now?” Henderson said. “So, I feel like that’s why every game is big, because like I said, at the end of the season it could come down to one game or a half a game, and you don’t want to look back and be like, ‘Gosh, I wish we would’ve done this’ in one game or that in another. You just want to get every game you can in this situation and not give one away.”

Young said there’s little chatter about the trade deadline.

“Not really at all,” he said. “We’re just, honestly, really in the game. That’s where our hearts are at, that’s where our minds are at. We don’t really talk about it at all. Taking it one day at a time, one game at a time, and that was a big win for us.”

How important is Cano’s extension? The Orioles have extended three players this season — starters Shane Baz and Kyle Bradish, and now Cano.

“It’s huge for me,” the 32-year-old right-hander said through a team translator. “I’ve been here for about five years now. I have a lot of love for this city and this organization. Yesterday, when my agent called me, he asked me, ‘Do you want to stay in Baltimore?’ And I was like, ‘100 percent. I want to be here for sure.’ So, yeah, super, super happy.”

Albernaz thought the extension was well-deserved.

“It’s awesome to see him get rewarded for all his hard work, and he’s such a great teammate, competitor,” Albernaz said. “He works his tail off.”

What does it mean? The Orioles have picked the right time to get hot. If they win the final two games against Philadelphia, they’ll be at .500 for the first time since April 30^th.

What’s the stat of the day? 15-8. The Orioles’ record in July represented their first winning month since May 2024 when they were 17-9.

What’s the word? “We never feel like we’re out of it. We always have a chance, and with our at-bat quality, I think we had six walks tonight, I think our ability to draw walks and create traffic, and especially in the late innings is huge.”-Albernaz on the comeback.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Reed Trimble homered twice as Triple-A Norfolk lost to Worcester, 9-6, in 10 innings.

Joseph Dzierwa pitched five innings and limited Altoona to two hits and an unearned run in Double-A Chesapeake’s 4-1 loss.

High-A Frederick had just two hits in its 4-1 loss to Wilmington. Steven Still gave up two runs on two hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Dalton Neuschwander’s record dropped to 1-10 after he gave up six runs, four earned, on six hits in 3 2/3 innings in Single-A Delmarva’s 14-2 loss to Hickory. Neuschwander’s ERA is 8.07.

What’s next? Shane Baz (4-9, 3.98) will start against Cristopher Sánchez (13-4, 2.74) on Saturday night at 7:05.

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