The Baltimore Orioles (2-1) took two out of three from the Los Angeles Angels (1-2) to open the 2024 season at a chilly but happy Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
There was a lot to like for the 45,029 Rally-Towel waving fans about the 54-degree cloudy Opening Day 11-3 win. Newly acquired ace right-hander Corbin Burnes (1-0, 1.50 ERA) pitched like one as he allowed one hit and one run while striking out 11 in six innings of work. He threw 82 pitches, 56 for strikes.
The offense was led by outfielder Anthony Santander who went 1 for 4 with a homerun and four RBI. Centerfielder Cedric Mullins also went deep and finished with three RBI. Catcher Adley Rutschman went 2 for 4 with two RBI.
After a Mike Trout 402 ft centerfield homer gave the Angels a first inning 1-0 lead, Baltimore responded in the bottom half of the inning taking a 2-1 lead. They scored three in the second, and two in the fourth thanks to a 431 ft left centerfield two-run homer by Santander giving them a 7-1 lead. They added one run in the sixth and then the big blow, a Mullin’s seventh inning three-run 403 ft homer to center broke the game open giving them an 11-1 lead. Baltimore’s win probability jumped to 100.0%.
In the middle game of the series, a 13-4 Orioles win, the bats exploded for nine runs in the sixth inning. Gunnar Henderson went 3 for 4 with a triple, home run, three RBI and a team-leading eight total bases. Santander carried his hot bat into the second game going 2 for 4 with a double, homer and three RBI. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle went 2 for 3 with two doubles and three RBI.
Leading 3-1, the sixth inning was an offensive gem for the Birds. With two aboard leftfielder Austin Hays singled bringing in one run. A Mullins double, score 5-1. Jordan Westburg singled with two aboard making the score 7-1. A Henderson triple plated two more and a Santander 359 ft right center three-run homer made the score an incredible 12-1. A nine-run inning. Win probability 100.00%.
Starter Grayson Rodriguez (1-0, 1.50 ERA) nearly matched Burne’s outing allowing four hits, one walk and one run while striking out nine in six innings of work. He threw 84 pitches, 57 for strikes.
Baltimore lost the last game of the series 4-1. Starter Tyler Wells (0-1, 4.50 ERA) continued the hot Orioles pitching striking out seven while allowing five hits and four runs in six innings of work. He tossed 82 pitches, 61 for strikes. The Baltimore bats finally cooled off and were held to three hits.
Now they will go to chilly Pittsburgh for their first away series of the year to take on the Pirates.
