Brice Matthews Has First Career Three-Hit Game in Astros' Loss to Orioles Brice Matthews, a 24-year-old rookie, recorded his first career three-hit game during the Astros’ 5-3 loss to the Orioles on Tuesday night. The performance, which included two RBIs, brought him closer to a cycle as he went triple shy of the feat. His batting average increased by more than 50 points following the game. Matthews’ game began with a home run in the fifth inning against Orioles starter Shane Baz. The ball, hit with an exit velocity of 109.7 mph, cleared the wall at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. “It felt really good,” Matthews said. “Just trying to put the bat on the ball more. Not trying to do too much. I feel like if I hit the ball on the barrel, the ball is going to go. So just trying to simplify and just shorten up and keep it easy.” The home run was the first of six extra-base hits Matthews has recorded this season. His three-hit game, which also included a double and a triple, marked a notable step in his development. Matthews emphasized that the outcome was not a surprise, as he has long believed in his ability to perform at the highest level. “This was something I always thought I could do,” he said. “It wasn’t like a surprise for me. I know I have the capability. I feel like I could do that each and every night, but baseball, it’s not going to go your way each and every night.” Astros manager Joe Espada praised Matthews’ approach, noting that his ability to hit the ball squarely has made him an exciting player to watch. “When he finds barrel to ball, he’s exciting to watch,” Espada said. “He’s a very explosive player. He can change outcomes of the game when he learns to be more consistent making contact.” Despite Matthews’ strong performance, the Astros struggled to capitalize on his efforts.#astros #camden_yards #brice_matthews #orioles #shane_baz
Astros and Orioles Set for Doubleheader After Rainout Delay The Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles will play a doubleheader today at Camden Yards following a rainout that postponed their scheduled game on April 29. The Astros (11-19) and Orioles (14-15) will face off in two games, with the first contest featuring a matchup of right-handed pitchers. Astros rookie RHP Peter Lambert (1-1, 3.27 ERA) will start Game 1 against Orioles RHP Chris Bassitt (1-2, 6.75 ERA). This will mark Lambert’s first career appearance against the Orioles, adding a layer of intrigue to the matchup. Lambert, who joined the Astros via free agency this offseason after a season with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, has shown promise in his early MLB campaign. In his first start on April 17 against the Cardinals, he pitched 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out eight batters (16 whiffs) in a 2-0 Astros victory. His performance has been notable for his ability to induce swings and misses, with a combined 39 whiffs in two starts this season. On April 17, he recorded 23 strikeouts, ranking him among the top AL pitchers in 2026 for whiffs in a single game. The doubleheader will conclude a three-game series against the Orioles, with the Astros holding a 4-3 record in the 2025 season against Baltimore. The teams will next meet in a three-game set at Daikin Park in July. For the Astros, the series carries significance as they aim to improve their standing in the AL West. Yordan Alvarez has emerged as a standout performer for the Astros, leading the American League in several key categories. Through the first 30 games of the season, he has hit 11 home runs, ranking second in franchise history behind Lance Berkman’s 13 in 2002. Alvarez’s .#baltimore_orioles #houston_astros #camden_yards #peter_lambert #chris_bassitt
