Baltimore Orioles Top Athletics in 10-Inning Game, Narrow Wild Card Gap The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-3 in a 10-inning contest on Friday night, securing a critical win that brought them within two games of the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League wild card spot. The game, played in West Sacramento, Calif., featured dramatic late-inning heroics from Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who each drove in runs with two-out RBI singles to seal the victory. The Orioles’ offensive surge began in the 10th inning, where the game’s momentum shifted dramatically. With the score tied 2-2, automatic runner Carlos Narváez started the inning on second base. Rookie pitcher Brady Basso (0-1) intentionally walked Pete Alonso with one out, setting the stage for a pivotal sequence. Jackson Holliday struck out, but Gunnar Henderson entered as a pinch runner for Alonso. After a tense exchange, Mayo and Encarnacion-Strand each delivered RBI singles, pushing the Orioles ahead 4-2. The Athletics’ starting pitcher, Jacob Lopez, struggled in the early innings, surrendering two runs in the second. Dylan Beavers drove in Mayo with a two-out single, and Taveras scored on a fielding error by Lopez, giving the A’s a 2-0 lead. Lopez, however, managed to limit damage, allowing two runs — one earned — over five innings on three hits and three walks. Baltimore’s pitching staff held strong, with Brandon Young starting the game and throwing seven innings. Young allowed a run on five hits and a walk, leaving the game with a 2-1 lead. Andrew Kittredge (3-3) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win, while rookie Alex Hoppe allowed an RBI single by Zack Gelof before closing the 10th for his first save.#baltimore_orioles #coby_mayo #oakland_athletics #christian_encarnacion_strand #carlos_narvaez
Orioles Defeat Cardinals in Thrilling 8-7 Game on Aug 26, 2026 The Baltimore Orioles secured a dramatic 8-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in a tightly contested game on Wednesday night, Aug 26, 2026. The Orioles, trailing for much of the contest, managed to rally after squandering a seven-run lead in the second inning, ultimately prevailing thanks to a clutch tiebreaking RBI double by Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The win kept the Orioles within 2.5 games of the Cleveland Guardians in the race for the final American League wild-card spot. The game began with the Orioles taking an early lead, as Encarnacion-Strand and Dylan Beavers each contributed RBI singles in the first inning. Leody Taveras extended the advantage with a three-run home run, making it 5-0. The Orioles further padded their lead in the second inning when Pete Alonso launched his 32nd home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field. Alonso’s blast brought the score to 7-0, showcasing his dominance as the team’s leading hitter. However, the Cardinals mounted a formidable comeback, scoring six runs in the fifth inning. Nolan Gorman opened the rally with a solo home run, and Alec Burson, Jordan Walker, and Nathan Church each added runs with RBI hits, bringing St. Louis within a single run. José Fermín tied the game at 7 with an RBI groundout, setting the stage for a tense ninth inning. The Orioles’ bullpen stepped up in the final frame, with Grant Wolfram retiring all three batters in the eighth inning. Andrew Kittredge then closed the game with a one-hit ninth, securing the win and his seventh save of the season. The Orioles’ starter, Kyle Bradish, struggled with control, allowing seven runs on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings, but the relief corps held the Cardinals scoreless for the final 4 2/3 innings.#baltimore_orioles #st_louis_cardinals #pete_alonso #christian_encarnacion_strand #nolan_gorman
