BALTIMORE — Ramón Laureano made a significant impact off the bench, launching two home runs to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 9-5 victory against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. The Orioles showcased their power by hitting five home runs in total.
Starting the game on a strong note, Cedric Mullins and Gunnar Henderson hit consecutive home runs in the first inning against Reds’ starter Hunter Greene. Greene struggled, lasting only three innings while conceding five runs. Jordan Westburg also contributed with a solo shot in the seventh inning, ending an 0-for-30 slump.
Making his major league debut, Orioles starter Brandon Young allowed three runs over four innings but managed to avoid further damage with some help from his defense. Seranthony Domínguez, who relieved Young, secured his second win of the season, while Félix Bautista earned his second save with the help of Laureano’s leaping catch to conclude the game.
Young’s early innings were shaky as he gave up seven hits and a walk to the first 10 batters, but the defense turned two crucial outs on the bases to limit the Reds’ scoring. The Reds took an early lead with an RBI single from Gavin Lux. However, Mullins and Henderson quickly responded with back-to-back homers, and Jake Fraley’s game-tying home run in the second inning kept the Reds in contention.
TJ Friedl was impressive for the Reds, contributing four hits and a walk, including an RBI double in the second inning that temporarily gave his team a 3-2 lead. After that inning, Young settled down and did not allow another hit.
Greene faced multiple challenges, surrendering six hits, walking two batters, and hitting two others with pitches. Heston Kjerstad exited early after being hit by a pitch on his elbow, but x-rays revealed no fracture, allowing Laureano to take his place in the lineup.
Laureano’s pivotal two-run homer in the third inning put the Orioles ahead 5-3. Although Cincinnati closed the gap to 5-4, Laureano and Westburg increased the lead with consecutive home runs in the seventh inning. Laureano nearly hit a third homer, but Friedl made the catch at the wall in center field.
Cincinnati’s Austin Hays, a former Orioles player, hit a home run in the ninth inning to cap the scoring for the Reds.
Critical moments in the game included the Reds leaving the bases loaded in both the fifth and seventh innings, and a key double play in the sixth that extinguished another scoring threat for Cincinnati.
Notably, Greene allowed three homers in one game for the first time since late September last year. Laureano joined a select group of Orioles who have hit two home runs off the bench, last achieved by Trey Mancini in 2017.
Looking ahead, the Orioles have Charlie Morton set to start the series finale on Sunday, while the Reds will have to adjust after Carson Spiers, listed initially as a starter, pitched in relief on Saturday.