Ward's Defining Moment
Taylor Ward delivered the decisive blow in the eighth inning, launching a 399-foot home run to left center field that scored Rutschman and gave the Baltimore Orioles a 3-2 lead. The two-run shot was the only extra-base hit of its kind in the contest, providing the margin of victory in a tightly contested matchup at Daikin Park.
Scoring Sequence
The Orioles established an early advantage in the first inning when Alvarez doubled to left field, driving in Peña for a 1-0 lead. Houston responded in the third inning to tie the game. Alonso walked, allowing Mayo to score. The Astros challenged the call on the field, but the umpires upheld the decision, making it 1-1.
Baltimore reclaimed the lead later in the third when Paredes hit a sacrifice fly to right field, sending Peña home for a 2-1 advantage. The score remained unchanged until Ward's eighth-inning homer.
Pitching Performances
Peter Lambert started for Houston, pitching six innings and allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out ten batters. He was supported by Steven Okert, who pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts, and Enyel De Los Santos, who pitched a scoreless frame. Bryan King took the loss after giving up two earned runs in one inning of work.
